Apply to Catalyst for more than just a mere $200k

When people hear “Catalyst,” they fixate on the grants. Fair. More than $200,000 in unrestricted funding can keep an early-stage team alive long enough to build something real. But the bigger payoff is what usually takes founders years to earn: credibility, coaching, and a national stage that puts your solution in front of the people who shape policy and the wireless ecosystem. (Broadband Breakfast)

Catalyst (run by the CTIA Wireless Foundation) backs social entrepreneurs using wireless technology to solve real community challenges, especially where impact is hardest and resources are thinnest. They are explicitly looking for teams beyond ideation with proof of concept, who have built mobile-first solutions, have personal experience with the problem, and are serving marginalized communities. If that describes you, you are not “too early.” You are the point. (impactentrepreneur.com)

Here’s what people miss: the winners are treated like leaders, not lottery tickets. The top three winners receive professional media training from industry experts, speaking opportunities with Congressional leaders, wireless industry executives, and policymakers, plus professionally produced videos profiling their wireless solution. All Winners and Honorable Mentions receive feature placement on the CTIA Wireless Foundation’s website and member communications, financial support to attend Catalyst in-person events, connections to a network of 30+ Catalyst alumni and wireless industry leaders, and visibility through CTIA newsletters and social channels. That “earned distribution” is the kind you cannot buy, and it compounds. (impactentrepreneur.com)

If you want a practical deadline that doesn’t involve panicked midnight form-filling, treat Thursday, February 12, 2026 as your personal submission finish line. That’s also when Catalyst is hosting a live webinar (3:00-3:45 PM ET) to cover eligibility and the application process, which is basically free consulting if you are paying attention. (impactentrepreneur.com)

Officially, Phase 1 applications are open until February 24, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET, submitted via the Catalyst Portal. So yes, you technically have more time. Humans love “technically.” If you know founders building wireless-powered social impact, please help reach them: forward the call, share on LinkedIn or X, and point them to the Catalyst site and portal. Questions go to catalyst@wirelessfoundation.org. (impactentrepreneur.com)

For Santa Cruz Works accelerator, see: Santa Cruz Accelerates