Way to Scale
Supporting ambitious, innovation driven CEOs to scale their business and reach £10 million+ revenue
Way to Scale was the best business experience I have ever been through and has left an indelible mark on me as a businessperson. Everything changed, for the better. My Way to Scale cohort still stay connected today; almost 130 people from across the world, all entrepreneurs, have stayed together, and meet as often as we can to share experiences and knowledge.
Dale Cree - 3EN
What is Way to Scale?
Way to Scale is an intensive programme supported by the Department for the Economy that will run from January to March 2025, and is open to 10 ambitious CEOs with the vision to scale. The 2025 Way 2 Scale programme will be made up of the following core elements.
- 19th – 24th January 2025: a week-long intensive residential Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) for CEOs at the world-leading technology and business university, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), with around 100 other international CEOs and Entrepreneurs. Attendees will learn and engage with the 24-step Disciplined Entrepreneurship process created by Bill Aulet, Faculty Director of the program. Check out this great article from Bill, that gives you a real flavour of what to expect.
- February – March: Light touch follow-on support activity to help hold you accountable for embedding the learnings from EDP into your own business.
Who should apply?
Applications are open to highly ambitious, innovation-driven CEOs with the vision to scale to £10M+ revenue and plan to significantly grow business internationally.
Criteria:
- Your company has revenue of £500,000+, or the capital in place to grow.
Cost:
An upfront contribution of £2000 is payable by attending CEOs (full details can be found below). Note, the programme is heavily subsidised by the Department of the Economy. This fee covers:
- A contribution towards the MIT course fee (full price is $12,900).
- Breakfast, lunch, and evening snacks are provided by MIT for the duration of the programme.
- The follow-on programme activity in February & March.
Applications for Way to Scale are now closed.
Terms and Conditions
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Cancellations & Unforeseen Circumstances
In the event a named participant can no longer take part in the scheduled programme due to illness or other unforeseen circumstances, any fees recoverable by Catalyst will be returned.
If the MIT programme cannot take place at the advertised time due to unforeseen circumstances, all efforts to reschedule will be undertaken. It is agreed that all possible steps will be undertaken to ensure the programme can be delivered.
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Cost
Cost:
An upfront contribution of £2000 is payable by attending CEOs.
Please note participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs; Catalyst can provide a preferential room rate at a preferred hotel and flight recommendations
Why Way to Scale?
Northern Ireland is leading the way when it comes to nurturing innovation start-up companies to £1M in revenue. However, the real economic impact occurs when companies scale to £10 million and beyond. The Way to Scale programme helps to close this gap by giving a select group of CEOs the chance to participate in an intensive entrepreneur development programme that spans Northern Ireland and the USA.
In our Way to Scale programme, you will:
- Develop the confidence, skills and behaviours that will support your ambition
- Implement a step-by-step framework to de-risk your business while maximising success
- Learn how to build a defendable core and really establish your business
- Take a deep dive into the details that will support driving a robust business plan
- Fine-tune your sales and marketing strategy and tactical engagement
The Way to Scale programme fundamentally changed how I do business.
Way to Scale Alumni
Way to Scale Alumni
2024 Cohort
2023 Cohort
2022 Cohort
2020 Cohort
2019 Cohort
Sponsors
Catalyst and the Department of the Economy have come together to support this significant event, to give Northern Ireland entrepreneurs the opportunity to learn from the best.
Hannah Cummings
Scaling Programmes Manager
Hannah Cummings is the Scaling Programme Manager at Catalyst, where she oversees Inbound Investors, CEOs Connect, and Way to Scale. These initiatives have a collective objective of expediting the growth trajectory of Northern Ireland’s top technology companies, supporting them to achieve a market valuation of £100 million.
Hannah joined Catalyst in 2019, initially managing operations and community at the Catalyst Belfast Fintech Hub before moving on to manage Co-Founders, a design-thinking led program that helps innovation driven start-ups get going! Designing, curating, and executing impactful strategic initiatives has been a core tenet of Hannah’s career with Catalyst.
Hannah also holds a PhD in Drama and is passionate about leveraging her background to support others in finding their pitch and public speaking confidence, as well as hosting and Mc-ing ecosystem events.
