MAKE IT IN LA SELECTS MEMBERS OF ITS CATALYST PROGRAM
Catalyst Helps Emerging Business Launch Products in
Country’s Largest Manufacturing Center
MAKE IT IN LA’s Catalyst program is building a diverse community of creators who are launching products in Los Angeles. 60 founders have been selected and invited to take part in the program, which will provide select founders with exclusive workshops, factory tours, online community, and other programming and services from partners.
Catalyst Members come from a diverse range of industries including upcycled food products, 3D printed custom on-demand shoes, augmented reality learning toys, sustainable apparel, vegan shoes, exercise equipment, building materials, robotics, and test equipment, to name a few. MAKE IT picked participants based on four main criteria: the team, the product, the company’s readiness, and the fit between their need and the program’s expertise and resources.
From this community, MAKE IT will be selecting a cohort of “Fellows” that will be paired with expert “Catalysts” whohave extensive experience bringing products to market and prototypes to production. Catalysts advise Fellows to help them launch their product and produce it locally when possible. The Fellows will be announced in August.
“We’re helping creators be part of something bigger than themselves,” says Krisztina ‘Z’ Holly, serial entrepreneur and founder of MAKE IT IN LA. “Our community wants to turn their passions into products and brands that matter in L.A., and I’m excited for our team to help build the connections to make that happen.”
Catalyst is inspired by a study released by the Office of Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti’s office in June 2016. The study found that 57% of all factories in Los Angeles County had excess capacity, and they were eager to connect with new customers. The manufacturing ecosystem in Los Angeles—the largest in the country—offers many resources across numerous industries, but it can be hard for emerging businesses to navigate. MAKE IT IN LA was launched to address many of the opportunities identified in the study, highlighted here: maketinla.org/study.
At this time the program is available at no cost to participants thanks to the sponsors of the program. Catalyst is made possible by MAKE IT IN LA’s Gold Sponsors: the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, Califia Farms, LegalZoom, DLA Piper, and the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI). Other generous sponsors include Red Bull, Opportunity Fund, Innovation Protocol, and City National Bank.
ABOUT MAKE IT IN LA
MAKE IT IN LA is a diverse community of creators turning passions into products in Los Angeles. Our mission is to make connections that celebrate and unleash the creative potential of Los Angeles. The non-profit was spun out of Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence program by Krisztina ‘Z’ Holly, a well-known engineer, tech entrepreneur, and the creator of the first TEDx. The initiative is made possible by partners that include the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, Califia Farms, LegalZoom, DLA Piper, and the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI). For more information, visit makeitinla.org.
For more information about Catalyst, visit makeitinla.org/catalyst or contact Teale Hatheway teale@makeitinla.org
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Thanks also to Red Bull, Kickstarter, and other generous supporters.