The Catalyst program is a competitive grants initiative designed to support social entrepreneurs who have developed innovative, mobile-first solutions that harness the power of 5G and other wireless technologies to tackle pressing societal challenges in American communities. The program aims to foster mobile-first solutions that can deeply impact areas such as education, healthcare, and social services, using cutting-edge wireless technologies such as virtual reality, AI, and more to support these efforts. The program seeks bold visionaries who are using mobile solutions to improve the lives of marginalized and underserved populations across the country.

The Catalyst grant program is sponsored by the CTIA Wireless Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports emerging social impact projects which would benefit from an infusion of capital in their early stages. Catalyst aims to address some of the biggest challenges facing American communities, with a particular focus on solutions that enhance connectivity, improve social outcomes, and create lasting positive change. The grants provided are unrestricted, allowing awardees the flexibility to allocate the funds in ways that best support the growth and scalability of their projects.

Awards are available to both nonprofit and for-profit entities that have the potential to make a significant impact in their communities, especially those that may face barriers to accessing traditional forms of capital. The program encourages applications from underrepresented groups, including people of color, women, and veterans. To ensure that the program benefits diverse changemakers, Catalyst also promotes inclusivity in its application process and selection criteria. Applicants will have the opportunity to showcase their work to a national audience, including wireless industry leaders and policymakers.

Up to six winners will be selected to receive financial and non-financial benefits. The first-place winner will receive an unrestricted grant of $100,000, while second and third-place winners will receive grants of $50,000 and $25,000, respectively. Additionally, up to three other finalists will be recognized with honorable mentions and receive a $10,000 unrestricted grant. These grants are intended to support and accelerate the growth of social enterprises that are using wireless technology for social good.

In addition to the financial awards, all winners and honorable mentions will benefit from a range of non-financial incentives, including pitch coaching, communications assets, and access to the Catalyst alumni network. The top three winners will also receive professionally produced videos that profile their solutions, providing valuable exposure to audiences such as industry leaders, elected officials, and policymakers. The Catalyst program represents a unique opportunity for social entrepreneurs to gain recognition, support, and funding to further their impactful work.

The application process is open to eligible social entrepreneurs across the United States, with a focus on individuals or organizations that are using mobile-first solutions to tackle societal challenges. The program has already supported over 500 applicants and awarded more than $1 million in grants to past winners. For those interested in applying, an informational webinar is available, and detailed application instructions can be found on the Catalyst website.