Techscaler Catalyst is an intensive 10-week accelerator program designed for early-stage tech founders. Delivered by experienced founders and industry experts, the program focuses on mastering the fundamental building blocks of a startup, from problem and customer discovery to building, launching, and raising investment. It is structured to help founders make meaningful, actionable progress each week, turning learning directly into practice rather than focusing on theoretical concepts. The program is built for founders of all ambitions who are ready to validate their ideas, build prototypes, and accelerate their progress toward growth and investment readiness.
Program Overview
• Program Name: Techscaler Catalyst
• Duration: 10 weeks
• Format: The program features interactive online workshops, regular in-person touchpoints like networking days and cohort mixers, and access to a private cohort page with session recordings.
• Core Philosophy: Catalyst is about making tangible progress every week. Participants access leading playbooks, engage in hands-on problem-solving, build and launch prototypes for customer feedback, and develop actionable growth and investment strategies.
Accelerator Structure
The program is designed with dedicated support that evolves as founders progress through distinct tracks:
• Build: All founders begin with this core block of sessions, guiding them through identifying real problems, understanding customers and markets, and developing solutions to meet user needs.
• Grow: After completing Build, founders who demonstrate tangible progress can advance to the Grow track. This is designed for those pursuing sustainable growth or actively experimenting with scaling their business.
• Refine: Founders who do not progress to Grow, need to pivot, or require more time to develop their idea receive continued support through 1:1 coaching with Visiting Entrepreneurs.
• Raise: This track is for founders on the Grow track and eligible alumni aiming to raise significant early-stage capital. Acceptance is based on ambition, traction, and business model alignment. It offers advanced workshops and tailored support to strengthen investment propositions.
Key Outcomes for Participants
• Articulate a clear startup ambition aligned with a compelling vision and mission.
• Deeply understand customer needs by applying the Jobs-to-Be-Done methodology.
• Design and run evidence-based, low-cost experiments to validate early assumptions.
• Create a tangible product prototype, from early concepts to a minimum viable product.
• Learn to acquire and grow early customers using practical, repeatable strategies.
• Develop a viable business and commercial model using structured strategic frameworks.
• Leverage AI tools to optimize early-stage processes, experimentation, and decision-making.
• Understand the role and impact of AI in building and scaling early-stage companies.
Support and Activities
• Interactive Online Workshops: Eight workshops led by founders and industry experts, supported by pre-session materials to focus on action and discussion.
• Founder Community & Engagement: Regular in-person touchpoints, including networking days and cohort mixers, to foster peer learning and community.
• Catalyst Visiting Entrepreneurs: Access to 1:1 support, practical feedback, and real-world experience from founders who have built companies before.
• Partner Drop-ins: Optional office hours and drop-in sessions with partners from the wider ecosystem, including legal and grant funding experts.
Eligibility Criteria
• Membership: Applicants must be an early-stage member (or later) of Techscaler.
• Time Commitment: Founders must be working on their startup for more than 8 hours per week.
• Stage Requirement: Applicants must have either developed a clickable prototype, product demo, or MVP that has been shared with potential customers for feedback, OR have registered their company.
• Recommended Prerequisite: Completion of the self-paced online course, Techscaler Discovery, is strongly advised to ensure all participants have the same baseline knowledge.
Application and Schedule Details
• Application Deadline: Applications for the Spring ‘26 cohort close at 12 noon on February 17th.
• Program Dates: The Spring ‘26 cohort runs from March 3rd to May 5th, 2026.
• Workshop Times: Core workshops take place on Tuesdays from 10am to 1pm. The Raise Track includes additional workshops on Thursdays from 10am to 1pm between Weeks 7 and 10.
• Expected Time Commitment: Participants should expect to dedicate at least 8 hours per week to the accelerator. This increases to an expected 16 hours per week for those on the Raise track.
• Completion Criteria: Founders must attend at least 4 sessions to be considered as having completed the program.
Program Costs and Funding
• Equity and Fees: There is no cost to participate in the Catalyst program, and no equity is taken. The program is funded by the Scottish Government.
• Direct Funding: The program does not provide direct funding to participating startups.
For early-stage founders seeking to accelerate their journey through structured, hands-on guidance and peer support, the Techscaler Catalyst program offers a comprehensive framework. By focusing on practical application and measurable progress, the accelerator equips entrepreneurs with the tools, strategies, and community connections necessary to navigate the critical phases of building a technology startup. Interested parties who meet the eligibility criteria can find more information and application details on the official Techscaler website.