WHO ARE WE?

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The Catalyst is a peer-mentored idea-incubator staffed with student mentors that assist students in nurturing, developing, and transforming ideas into tangible projects, initiatives, organizations, or startups. Our mentors are trained to support any ideas brought by students, with guidance from the Director of the Wilson Center and the Director of the Business and Finance Career Community of the Center for Careers, Life, and Service of Grinnell College. 

OUR MISSION 

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The Catalyst promotes and encourages a culture of entrepreneurship and initiative, which aligns not only with the mission of the Wilson Center, but also the key principle of converting knowledge into action, which guides the Strategic Plan of Grinnell College (2023-2030). Different from common entrepreneurial incubators that focus on business development, marketing strategies and financial viability, the Catalyst is structured to support a broader range of ideas and causes. This allows us to encapsulate the elements of entrepreneurship while embracing all good ideas and initiatives, emphasizing intellectual exploration, creativity, and multidisciplinary learning. Through different stages of project development, we also aim to equip students with skills like problem-solving, opportunity identification, and resourcefulness. This hybrid approach encourages students to dream and explore broadly, while cultivating skills essential to bring their ideas into fruition, whether in business, academic, or other fields.