CATALYSTS GROUP ADVISORY
Strategies That Move Innovation Forward
A corporate innovation consulting practice built by people who have led corporate innovation from the inside, invested as venture capitalists, and built the startups corporates are trying to reach. Now we put that experience to work for you.
Our team has spent decades building innovation ecosystems.
Program Attendees
Corporate/Org Partners
Global Cities Activated
Programs Supported
REACHED BEYOND TRADITIONAL NETWORKS
Economic Impact Created
The best ideas do not come from the rooms everyone else is already searching. Our reach extends past traditional innovation networks, and our depth of relationships turns that reach into first access. That is how we surface the founders, operators, and innovations that homogenous sourcing misses.
Traditional venture concentrates over 70 percent of its capital in just four metros. Our network was built there and everywhere: 24+ cities across the country and around the world
How We Work
Three ways to engage, from a focused diagnostic to an ongoing strategic partnership.
Innovation Diagnostic
Current-state assessment of your organization's innovation posture, ecosystem entry points, and readiness gaps. Delivered as a concrete roadmap your team can act on immediately
Ecosystem Activation
Hands-on execution support for your corporate innovation initiatives. From go-to-market strategy and program design to launch and ecosystem engagement, we work alongside your team to hit your innovation goals.
Strategic Advisory
A retainer-based partnership for corporate innovation and CVC teams who want ongoing access to ecosystem intelligence, strategic guidance, and hands-on execution support. We embed alongside your team and grow with your goals, including Expert in Residence (XIR) placements that put senior operators inside your innovation team.
Corporations Need Innovation.
Innovation Needs Corporations Who Understand It.
Corporate leaders are being asked to do more than ever.
- Hit innovation goals at lower costs.
- Get and stay ahead of AI and Frontier Technology.
- Prove real commitment to emerging founders.
- Be seen as an innovation leader.
- Find the right startups first.
The challenge is not motivation. It is knowing where to start and how to engage the ecosystem in a way that actually works.
Where the Experience Comes From
Corporate-Backed Venture Programs
20+ years designing and running corporate-backed accelerators, innovation challenges, reverse pitches, corporate readiness programs, and investment tours globally. Built and led multiple multi-city accelerators, including part of an eight-city program backed by a multimillion-dollar investment from one of the world’s largest financial institutions. Developed corporate pilot readiness and innovation scouting alongside Fortune 10 and Fortune 30 partners. Led nationally recognized accelerators in partnership with top-tier venture funds and co-produced a 12-city national investment tour. 300+ investments made across 14+ programs.
Corporate Sponsorship and Strategic Partnerships
25+ years structuring corporate sponsorship and innovation partnerships with Fortune 10 and Fortune 30 companies across automotive, financial services, technology, telecommunications, and media. Strategic engagements where corporates funded programs, staffed mentorship, co-built innovation desks, and activated multi-city ecosystem infrastructure. A long-term partnership with one of the largest holding companies in the country, spanning 100+ portfolio companies across fintech, real estate, technology, and retail. 200+ corporate and organizational partnerships. $100M+ in economic impact.
Enterprise Operations, Supply Chain and Corporate Strategy
Fortune 10 operating experience from inside the enterprise. 15+ years across multiple Fortune 10 automakers, including international assignments. Advanced Analytics, Marketing, Branding, Industrial Operations Engineering, Energy Trading, Operations, and other roles, including Senior supply-chain leadership managing a $290M monthly inventory network for a Fortune 50 automotive group. Integrated demand and supply planning for Fortune 500 clients at a global technology services firm, improving forecast accuracy by 25 percent and identifying $5M+ in cost savings.
Corporate Venture, Business Development and Innovation Sourcing
Corporate venture and business development at the enterprise level. Built a partner collective of 50+ partners at a Fortune 100 consumer electronics company. Co-designed a $1M global innovation challenge that brought nearly 600 startups to an international stage. Launched national partnerships at a $4B unit within a Fortune 20 telecommunications company. Co-designed and operated multi-state reverse pitch programs where a Fortune 30 media and telecommunications company pitched its innovation priorities to curated rooms of startups, first across Michigan, then expanding to multiple Midwest states. Invested in approximately 300+ startups and countless technology and innovation partnerships through previous venture funds and non-profits founded by CGA partners.
Multi-City, Multi-Stakeholder Innovation Infrastructure
24+ cities activated. 1,000+ programs supported. 55,000+ attendees reached. Founded and ran one of the largest inaugural Startup Weeks in the United States for five consecutive years. Co-founded a statewide and national innovation week. Launched the first Global Virtual Startup Week in the world in 2020, pivoting a 15,000-person event in 45 days and consulting cities globally on replication. Co-built a multi-city accelerator spanning four cities. Built a pre-accelerator now in 17+ cities globally. Speaker, judge, delegate, ambassador, advisor, and program partner at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress across six countries over ten years.
Looking for Something Else?
Corporate Pathways, pilot readiness, and preparation support for founders and ESO portfolios run through our nonprofit, Venture Catalysts. Explore Corporate Pathways.
Ecosystem sponsorships and partnerships also run through Venture Catalysts. Reach Out.
Start The Conversation
Whether you are starting with a diagnostic or ready to move straight into activation, tell us what you are working on and we will follow up with next steps.