Entrepreneurship
is changing.
Co-Founders is evolving.
Introducing Co-builders
A flexible and modular programme that lets you access the right support at the right time. You decide how fast to move, where to go and how to get there. Whether you are working on AI software, a physical product or a science innovation, Co-builders gives you the tools to succeed. Co-builders is open to anyone over the age of 18.
We have taken the building blocks of Co-Founders – idea generation, team formation and entrepreneurship skills – and built something new.
Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, Co-builders offers pathways that guide you through key stages of learning, building and experimenting.
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Over the last eight years, Co-Founders has accelerated the development of startups in Northern Ireland. We have welcomed 976 participants, supported the creation of 263 teams, and guided founders through the first steps of their entrepreneurial journey.
With the rise of AI-driven enterprises, startups can move faster and grow leaner. Founders today need more than a cohort and a calendar. They need tailored support, creative freedom and tools that grow with them. Co-builders reflects this shift, moving away from rigid timelines toward a model where you chart your own course with Catalyst as your co-builder.
The Building Blocks
Building a business is rarely a straight line, and your support should be just as flexible. Explore the blocks below and choose what fits your journey. The building blocks are open to anyone aged 18 and over.
The Foundations
Every startup begins with exploration. These activities provide you the space to shape your idea, experiment with cutting-edge AI, and connect with the people who can help you bring it to life.
Explore this block if you:
Have a problem area or idea you’d like to explore further
Want to connect with other entrepreneurially minded people
Are curious about testing ideas using AI and rapid ideation tools
Need confidence and structure to take your first steps
The Blueprint
Disciplined Entrepreneurship is Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) proven framework for turning ideas into companies. Guided by Catalyst’s trained team, these sessions give you a step-by-step system to cut the guesswork, test faster, and win customers with confidence.
Explore this block if you:
Have an idea you’re ready to develop and stress-test
Need support to progress from exploration into tangible impact
Are looking for world-class tools and coaching to strengthen your venture
Want a structure pathway to reduce uncertainty in building a startup
The Toolkit
Hands-on workshops that help founders put the Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework into practice while building essential startup skills. To get the most from this block, you’ll first need to complete the Disciplined Entrepreneurship training.
Explore this block if you:
Want to sharpen your practical startup skills to bring your idea to life
Are keen to learn from hands-on workshops tailored to founder needs
Need flexibility to focus on the skills most relevant to your startup right now
Upcoming events.
Explore the calendar of Co-builders activities and events. With a flexible programme designed around you, it is your choice what to join and how to build your path forward.