An overhead view of the atrium in Capitol Federal Hall with students walking through or talking to each other

The Catalyst

The Catalyst serves as a place KU students can develop themselves and their ventures with valuable industry insights.

Overview

The Catalyst encourages entrepreneurship and professional development through mentoring. It gives students the opportunities to work out ideas and venture plans with input from industry mentors.

Participating students get assistance in all phases of venture development, and they learn and test in a constructive and productive environment.

Students meet with Catalyst leadership regularly for progress reporting based on their developed workflow and schedule. 

The Catalyst satisfies the BUS 301: Internships with Impact requirement as part of the EY Professionalism Program.

All candidates must have the following:

  1. An idea for a new venture that you intend to develop. (The venture itself doesn't have to be operating yet.)
  2. Ability to meet with mentors
  3. Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs
  4. Must be a KU student enrolled in at least 6 credit hours

The Catalyst job positions will be posted to employment.ku.edu every March and October, and interviews with selected applicants will begin shortly after for the upcoming semester (e.g., The Catalyst Fall 2023 Team application will be posted in March).

This is an hourly paid position with up to five hours a week.

Students are expected to:

  • Meet regularly with leadership and mentors
  • Develop professionally
  • Develop entrepreneurial skills 
  • Develop ideas/ventures

By the end of the 13 weeks, 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:

  1. An idea for a new venture that you intend to develop. (The venture itself doesn't have to be operating yet.)
  2. Ability to meet with mentors
  3. Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs
  4. Must be a KU student enrolled in at least 6 credit hours

The Catalyst job positions will be posted to employment.ku.edu every March and October, and interviews with selected applicants will begin shortly after for the upcoming semester (e.g., The Catalyst Fall 2023 Team application will be posted in March).

This is an hourly paid position with up to five hours a week.

Students are expected to:

  • Meet regularly with leadership and mentors
  • Develop professionally
  • Develop entrepreneurial skills 
  • Develop ideas/ventures

By the end of the 13 weeks, 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.


The Catalyst Mentoring Village

Venture capital

Dan Kerr | Partner at Flyover Capital

Small-business owner

Drew DeRose | Founder and Owner of Kairos Media

Real estate

Kirsten Flory | Founder and Owner of Foundations Commercial

Attorney

Tom Fredrick | Co-founder of Life Sciences Legal, LLC and KU School of Business instructor

Startup founder

Jaime Gassmann | Venture Builder at 1848 Ventures and Co-Founder of Fluent

Traditional business owner

Colin Aldrich | Business Banking Relations Manager at Commerce Bank

CPA

Chris Kohart | Senior Manager at SSC

KU Small Business Development Center

Kristina Mease | Director

Christian Hopkins | Program Specialist