Changemakers Catalyst Fund 2023

Applications for Catalyst Fund 2024 open on 11 March.

For a list of the 2023 winning groups, see here

(below is information about Catalyst Fund 2023)

Do you want to make a positive change in the world?

Are you building - or planning to build - an enterprise, product, campaign, or creative project that will help us move to a more just, sustainable and regenerative future?

Do you want to do this collaboratively? And with the support of able, committed mentors?

The 'Changemakers Catalyst Fund’ will award up to 5 grants of up to £2000 each for initiatives led by Homerton students.

Grants will be made for establishing a social enterprise or business, supporting an existing start-up or project, developing a creative project or campaign, or research towards a new enterprise. Proposed projects can be in any field - from tech to arts, politics or business - and must be focused on public good and societal change. Wherever possible you’re encouraged to explore the possibility of using technology to achieve your aims or further innovation (but not necessarily developing the technology itself).

The fund is explicitly to support ventures at the start-up stage, where catalyst funding of this kind will make a substantive difference to the likely success of your project.

Benefits of Winning the Catalyst Fund

Winning groups will be announced by mid-June 2023.
Winning groups will also be supported by intensive mentoring from experienced entrepreneurs and industry leaders via our industry partner Cambridge Wireless.
Winning groups will also have the opportunity to showcase their project (28 September 2023, 5pm onwards) in front of senior members of Cambridge's innovation and investor eco-system, academic colleagues and Changemaker peers.
At this showcase event there will be further opportunities to win one of two Ivan Baines Prizes (£1.5K each and 3 months mentoring by serial entrepreneur Rupert Baines) or the Lovely Naha Foundation Prize (£500 and 3 months mentoring by Abhi Naha,Chief Commercial Officer of Cambridge Wireless and serial entrepreneur)

You're encouraged to book a 1:1 appointment with the Changemakers team before applying to check eligibility and scope of the proposed project. Or please message this number to arrange a phone call: 07854 259054

Eligibility

At time of application the lead applicant must be a current Homerton student or current Homerton Changemakers Student Ambassador, and must have attended at least 5 hours of Changemakers events over the last 2 years (eg: Mentoring, Residentials/Virtual Residentials, Workshops, Tuesday Conversations).

Project teams must comprise at least 2 people (max. 6) and can include people from other Colleges and organisations. Team members don't have to be current Homerton students or ambassadors.

Judging Panel

The judging panel will include members of the Changemakers Team, Homerton Fellows and industry members from the Cambridge Wireless ecosystem.

Thank you to the following people for agreeing to be our esteemed list of judges :

Application and Process

Apply by application form and a 2-min video pitch* by 1 May 2023 5pm (more info and scoring criteria can be downloaded from this web page.)

APPLY HERE USING THIS FORM and remember to submit a 2-minute video pitch*

* The video pitch can be a summary of your initiative; a single message; or an introduction. It’s up to you. The task is to interest the judges, persuade them of the seriousness of your project, and communicate something about you and how you will work. Any standard video file format is acceptable; and the file can be shared via email by file transfer (WeTransfer, Dropbox, G-Drive etc) Please email to changemakers@homerton.cam.ac.uk

Applicants can request between £1K - £2K per project. The budget can be used for expenses (travel and accommodation), to test specific aspects of technology, to buy technology, to develop materials, to run a campaign, to undertake a specific project with another partner organisation, or to pay interviewers or researchers. Funds may not be used solely as travel grants, to cover regular living expenses, or to pay for time whilst volunteering.
Applications must be submitted via the online form and by email/file transfer (video pitch) to changemakers@homerton.cam.ac.uk by 1 May 2023 5pm. Late applications will not be dealt with.
Project groups must comprise at least 2 people (maximum 6) and can include people from other Colleges and organisations.
The judging panel will include Homerton Fellows and industry members from the Cambridge ecosystem (including a representative from our industry partner from Cambridge Wireless).
All successful project groups will be informed by mid-June 2023
All successful project group members will be required to complete a pre- and post-project survey; and to submit a post-project report (proformas will be supplied).
Projects may also be featured on Changemakers social media, website and reports.
All successful project groups must be available for the following dates:
- Coaching for Showcase presentations (online) (15 Sept pm)
- Showcase evening (28 Sept 2023 from 5pm onwards)
- All winning groups will also be invited to a Celebration Dinner, 29 Sep evening

** If the lead applicant or a team member is an international student and not likely to be in the UK on Sep 29, please get in touch before applying. Arrangements may be made for an alternative form of presentation.

For more on the application process, timelines and requirements see Homerton Changemakers Catalyst Fund 2023 please download the info sheet on this web page.

Inspirations and Sources

See Ashoka's 'Everyone a Changemaker' for stories, guidance & inspiration from changemaking initiatives around the world.

Visit the Skoll Centre Blog (Saïd Business School, Oxford) for excellent examples of initiatives that make a difference; how to's; and sound examples of thinking about problem domains and responses.

Explore Indigenous and Modern's short guide on Changemaking that supports you in 'co-creating a future that is just and regenerative for all'.

Checkout Sustainable Networkwho are making waves in ethical investment circles and also offer brokerage/ntros to angels on behalf of clients

Info about CW (Cambridge Wireless)

CW is the leading international community for companies involved in the research, development and application of wireless and mobile, internet, semiconductor and software technologies.

With an active community of over 1000 businesses ranging from major network operators and device manufacturers to innovative start-ups and universities, CW stimulates debate and collaboration, harnesses and shares knowledge, and helps to build connections between academia and industry.

CW’s 20 Special Interest Groups (SIGs) provide its members with a dynamic forum where they can network with their peers, track the latest technology trends and position their organisations in key market sectors. The CW team organise major conferences and competitions along with intimate industry networking events and dinners. They have built and run a private 5G network and accelerator in the Cambridge Science Park and also deliver bespoke R&D programmes.