The Venture Catalyst Program helps build venture-backed startup companies around promising University of Arizona technologies by connecting university inventors with experienced entrepreneurs, mentors, and commercialization resources.

Actually, it's neither. Venture Catalyst is a startup creation program. It helps the formation of new companies around University of Arizona technologies before they enter an incubator, accelerator, or begin fundraising.

Venture Catalyst combines several resources that are rarely available within a single university program. Participants are matched with University of Arizona technologies selected for their commercial potential. The program includes customer discovery through NSF I-Corps, guidance from experienced entrepreneurs and commercialization experts, access to Tech Launch Arizona's startup ecosystem, and opportunities to compete for milestone-based funding through the Tech Launch Arizona Asset Development Fund and the Wildcat Philanthropic Seed Fund.

Projects span a broad range of industries, including AI and software, biotechnology, diagnostics, medical devices, aerospace, optics and photonics, advanced materials, energy, climate technologies, agriculture, and quantum technologies.

Tech Launch Arizona evaluates the overall fit between entrepreneurs and technologies. When multiple applicants express interest in the same technology, selection is based on experience, commitment, commercialization strategy, and inventor alignment.

The program is managed by Tech Launch Arizona in collaboration with university inventors, entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, and commercialization professionals.

The program is designed for experienced entrepreneurs, startup executives, product leaders, business developers, and industry professionals interested in leading a University of Arizona startup.

No. Participants are matched with a curated portfolio of University of Arizona technologies selected for their commercial potential.

Not necessarily. Prior startup founder experience is helpful but not required. However, applicants should have strong business, commercialization, product development, or industry experience.

No. Venture Catalyst is focused on creating new companies around university intellectual property rather than supporting existing businesses.

Admission is competitive. Each cohort is intentionally kept small to maximize mentorship, collaboration, and individualized support.

Qualified applicants from outside Arizona are encouraged to apply. Remote participation is supported, although participants must be able to meet any applicable legal, licensing, and company formation requirements.

Most activities can be completed remotely. Participants are encouraged to attend selected events in-person, including investment pitching and other fundraising presentations.

Participants should expect to devote several hours each week to program activities. This includes actively engaging with inventors, complete customer discovery, attend program sessions, meet regularly with mentors, and contribute to building a venture-ready company.

The program is cohort-based and runs for approximately 6 months. Participants progress through technology evaluation, customer discovery, commercialization and company formation planning, and investor preparation.

Training is built around the NSF I-Corps customer discovery methodology, which helps teams validate market needs before building a company. Participants also receive guidance in market validation, commercialization strategy, business models, intellectual property, startup finance, fundraising, and investor presentations.

Yes. Each team receives ongoing guidance from experienced entrepreneurs, investors, subject matter experts, and Tech Launch Arizona staff.

Not every match results in a successful founding team. If the parties find that the alignment isn't ideal, Tech Launch Arizona will work to match you with other commercial opportunities of interest.

Yes. Building a complementary founding team is encouraged to strengthen a startup's long-term success.

No. Licensing decisions follow Tech Launch Arizona's normal evaluation process and depend on the readiness of the company to enter into a License Agreement.

These discussions occur after the entrepreneur and inventor mutually decide to pursue company formation and define their respective roles, contributions, and commitments.

The University of Arizona retains ownership of its intellectual property. Startup companies obtain commercialization rights through a licensing agreement with Tech Launch Arizona.

No. Participants are not compensated for participating in the program. The Venture Catalyst program provides the opportunity to build a strong technology-backed company with significant founder equity.

The program provides access to competitive internal milestone-based de-risking funding through Tech Launch Arizona’s Asset Development Program. Investment-ready teams can also pitch to the Wildcat Philanthropic Seed Fund.

No. Funding is awarded competitively. Selected teams may pitch for milestone-based awards of up to $50,000 to advance commercialization.

Funding proposals are reviewed by a panel that includes Tech Launch Arizona commercialization professionals, experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and external advisors.

Yes. Investment-ready teams can pitch to the Wildcat Philanthropic Seed Fund for early-stage funding.  In addition, qualified teams are introduced to angel investors, venture capital firms, corporate partners, and other funding sources.

No. Investment decisions are made independently by funding organizations based on the strength of each startup opportunity.

Participants gain access to commercialization experts, mentors, customer discovery resources, market research guidance, educational workshops, networking opportunities, and investor preparation.

Yes. Customer discovery and market validation are core components of the program and help teams determine commercial viability before launching a company.

No. Prior participation in NSF I-Corps is beneficial but not required.

Yes. Teams receive coaching on storytelling, commercialization strategy, financial planning, and investor pitching.

Participants receive guidance on startup formation, licensing, and commercialization. Teams can also be connected with attorneys experienced in startup formation, licensing, financing, and intellectual property.

Teams continue working with Tech Launch Arizona on licensing, company formation, fundraising, and commercialization activities appropriate to their stage of development.

Teams may continue refining their commercialization strategy and remain engaged with Tech Launch Arizona after the formal program concludes.

Yes. Applicants who are not selected are encouraged to reapply for future cohorts.

Yes. Alumni continue to receive invitations to networking events, educational programming, and selected mentoring opportunities.