New entrepreneur Justin Travis of Red Deer speaks to the crowd at the Catalyst Incubator celebration. (Supplied)

By rdnewsNOW staff

Catalyst Incubator entrepreneurs celebrated in Red Deer

Apr 4, 2024 | 10:14 AM

On March 21, 10 local entrepreneurs took to the podium in front of local business leaders to showcase ideas they believe will rocket them to success at the Catalyst Incubator finale.

The pitch process represents a culmination of the Catalyst Incubator program presented by Central Alberta Regional Innovation Network (CARIN) and sponsored by Community Futures Central Alberta.

The mission of CARIN is to assist Central Alberta entrepreneurs move from idea to export in a faster, more seamless way. During the eight-week program, each learner/entrepreneur receives over 50 hours of training from highly qualified mentors.

The unique, cohort-based program focuses on supporting start-ups in manufacturing, agriculture, technology, energy innovation, and related sectors, officials point out.

Organizers say this year’s entrepreneurs covered a huge swath of industries ranging from clean energy, to hydroponic agriculture to massage therapy equipment design.

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Fledgling entrepreneur Justin Travis of start-up Wall Art Inc. commented, “I am so glad that I took part in this program. The mentors I have dealt with have taught me so much about who my customers are and how I can best reach them.”

Kelly Kierluk, General Manager of Community Future Central Alberta remarked, “These entrepreneurs are just beginning their journey. Many of them have never had to explain their idea to a non-family member before joining the Catalyst program. It is amazing to see how much progress each person makes in just two short months.”

Many participants will go on to take their business to the market and turn it into a full-time pursuit, organizers say.

Skills they gain include:

1. Knowledge on how to discover the ideal customer (right market) for their idea
2. Identify the BEST idea to meet that market.
3. Help them understand what they don’t know (they don’t know what they don’t know)
4. Connections in central Alberta as well as across Alberta – in the last cohort we made 47 formal introductions and many other information introductions.

The Catalyst Incubator is 100 per cent funded by CARIN through Alberta Innovates and is free to attend for all selected entrepreneurs. The program began in 2021 and has run five times.

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