The Co-builders Programme

A practical runway for testing, developing and strengthening your idea.

The Core Programme

A structured programme for people with an early-stage idea or problem, ready to explore it, test their assumptions and build evidence.

Choose your cohort

COHORT 1

September – December

A four-month programme focused on developing your idea through practical learning, customer research and evidence.

Programme September – December

Applications Open

Apply →

What you’ll commit to

Co-builders works through a mix of sessions, practical work and time spent developing your idea between them.

In the sessions

Learn the process Build practical venture-development skills through workshops and training.

Work with others Learn alongside your cohort, share ideas and challenge your thinking.

Get guidance Access coaching, feedback and relevant specialist expertise as you progress.

Between sessions

Research Speak to potential customers and stakeholders to understand the problem.

Test Challenge your assumptions and explore what holds up in the real world.

Build evidence Use what you learn to make decisions and demonstrate progress.

Scalability

What could growth look like for your idea?

Co-builders helps you explore whether your idea could grow sustainably — and what would need to change for it to do so.

More customers →

Could you serve more people without rebuilding everything from scratch?

Sustainable growth →

Could your venture grow without costs and workload increasing at the same rate?

Less complexity →

Could the model grow without becoming unnecessarily complicated?

In simple terms: a scalable venture can reach and serve more customers without its costs, workload or complexity increasing at the same rate.

Case Studies

  
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Frequently asked questions

No. You can apply with a problem you've identified or an early-stage idea you want to explore. Co-builders is designed to help you test assumptions, gather evidence and decide what to do next.

No. Co-builders is open to people at the start of their venture-building journey. What matters most is a willingness to learn, take action and engage with the process.

Participants are expected to attend the required sessions and workshops, complete practical work between sessions and carry out customer research. The programme works best when you actively apply what you learn throughout the cohort.

Yes. Many participants join with an idea they want to explore or a problem they believe is worth solving. The programme helps you test whether there is a real opportunity and identify the most appropriate next step.

Co-builders is for people aged 18 or over who want to explore a problem, test an idea and build evidence before investing significant time or resources. You do not need a registered company, technical background or previous startup experience.

Applications are reviewed to ensure Co-builders is the right fit for both the applicant and the programme. We look for people with a genuine interest in exploring a problem or idea, who are willing to test assumptions, gather evidence and engage with the cohort experience.

That's completely normal. Co-builders is designed to help you learn from evidence. As you speak to customers and test assumptions, your idea may evolve. The goal is not to prove yourself right, but to make informed decisions based on what you learn.

Participants who engage with the process, take action and demonstrate meaningful progress may be able to access further support, including coaching, specialist expertise, connections and other opportunities available through Catalyst.

Participants receive practical learning, workshops, customer research training, coaching and access to relevant specialist expertise and connections. The level of support available can depend on your engagement, progress and the needs of your venture.