The Catalyst
The Catalyst serves as a place KU students can flex their entrepreneurship muscles, learning more about themselves, the problems their seeking to solve and entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Overview
The Catalyst encourages entrepreneurship and professional development through doing. It employs students and gives them opportunities to work out ideas and venture plans alongside peers in cohorts. The program's goal is the development of entrepreneurial knowledge, skills and abilities that can be applied throughout life.
The Catalyst comprises various paths, each with unique opportunities for venture creation and professional development.
Beginning in spring 2026, students in either Stage 1, 2 or 3 may qualify for the BUS 310: Internships with Impact requirement as part of the EY Business Professional Development Program as long as they work 120 hours.
Students are hired into the program and begin their journey in The Catalyst. Students in Stage 1 are paid to work and develop their venture for up to five hours a week.
Students in this stage are paid to continue working on their venture for up to 10 hours a week. They also will serve as a guide in training to guide future cohorts. Stage 2 can satisfy the BUS 310: Internships with Impact requirement as part of the EY Business Professional Development Program as long as they work at least 120 hours. Students can take BUS 310 coursework alongside their venture or receive 50 professional development points. The points can only be earned once.
Stage 2 is only available to students who have completed Stage 1.
Students in Stage 3 are paid to continue working on and developing their venture. They will also serve as an entrepreneurial guide to other students in the other stages through cohort leadership.
Stage 3 satisfies the BUS 310: Internships with Impact requirement as part of the EY Business Professional Development Program as long as they work 120 hours. Students can take BUS 310 coursework alongside their venture or receive 50 professional development points. The points can only be earned once.
Stage 3 is only available to students who have completed Stages 1 and 2.
Students are hired into the program and begin their journey in The Catalyst. Students in Stage 1 are paid to work and develop their venture for up to five hours a week.
Students in this stage are paid to continue working on their venture for up to 10 hours a week. They also will serve as a guide in training to guide future cohorts. Stage 2 can satisfy the BUS 310: Internships with Impact requirement as part of the EY Business Professional Development Program as long as they work at least 120 hours. Students can take BUS 310 coursework alongside their venture or receive 50 professional development points. The points can only be earned once.
Stage 2 is only available to students who have completed Stage 1.
Students in Stage 3 are paid to continue working on and developing their venture. They will also serve as an entrepreneurial guide to other students in the other stages through cohort leadership.
Stage 3 satisfies the BUS 310: Internships with Impact requirement as part of the EY Business Professional Development Program as long as they work 120 hours. Students can take BUS 310 coursework alongside their venture or receive 50 professional development points. The points can only be earned once.
Stage 3 is only available to students who have completed Stages 1 and 2.
All candidates must have the following:
- An idea for a new venture (or nonprofit) that you intend to develop. (The venture itself doesn't have to be operating yet.)
- Ability to meet with cohorts
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs
- Must be a KU student enrolled in at least 6 credit hours
The Catalyst job positions are posted as “pool” positions at employment.ku.edu. Students can and are encouraged to apply for the upcoming semester.
This is an hourly paid position with up to five or 10 hours a week, depending on the stage.
Students are expected to:
- Meet regularly with leadership and mentors
- Develop professionally
- Develop entrepreneurial skills
- Develop ideas/ventures
By the end of the program, the intent is for students to walk away with a greater awareness of existing resources, a deeper understanding of themselves and a set of entrepreneurial skills that they can use in their own venture or working with others.
All candidates must have the following:
- An idea for a new venture (or nonprofit) that you intend to develop. (The venture itself doesn't have to be operating yet.)
- Ability to meet with cohorts
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs
- Must be a KU student enrolled in at least 6 credit hours
The Catalyst job positions are posted as “pool” positions at employment.ku.edu. Students can and are encouraged to apply for the upcoming semester.
This is an hourly paid position with up to five or 10 hours a week, depending on the stage.
Students are expected to:
- Meet regularly with leadership and mentors
- Develop professionally
- Develop entrepreneurial skills
- Develop ideas/ventures
By the end of the program, the intent is for students to walk away with a greater awareness of existing resources, a deeper understanding of themselves and a set of entrepreneurial skills that they can use in their own venture or working with others.