05/25/2026
This Memorial Day, we pause to honor the men and women who gave everything in service to our country.
We're proud to work alongside a community deeply connected to those who have answered the call to serve and to the families who carry their memory forward.
To all who have lost someone, we hold you in our hearts today. πΊπΈ
05/21/2026
π Alumni Spotlight: Orion Edge Group closes a $3M seed round!
Orion Edge Group has secured a $3M seed round led by Backswing Ventures, with participation from Stoney Lonesome Group. Orion Edge builds autonomous tactical electronic warfare systems for DoD customers, and has seen accelerating demand in recent months, including successful deliveries to U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command and demonstrations to US SOCOM personnel and international partners.
Read the full press release here: https://www.einpresswire.com/article/913070058/backswing-ventures-led-3m-financing-round-to-support-orion-edge-s-expansion
Huge congratulations to Dr. John Mueller and the entire Orion Edge team! β
If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming , please reach out to Allison Boothe at [email protected].
Backswing Ventures Led $3M Financing Round to Support Orion Edgeβs Expansion
Orion Edge Specializes in Deployable Electronic Warfare Solutions for DoD Customers
05/19/2026
We're heading to ASCEND 2026 in Washington, D.C. and we couldn't be more excited! π
Our very own Shae Thomas, Sr. Program Manager of the Catalyst Accelerator portfolio, is hitting the stage as a panelist showcasing Catalysts, Incubators, and Accelerators. Shae brings so much passion and expertise to this space, and we can't wait to see her shine!
π
Wednesday, May 20
β° 4:30 β 5:30 PM EST
πJefferson East & West
Going to be at ASCEND? Come find Shae and say hello. She'd love to connect! π€
05/14/2026
π The numbers are in and they tell an incredible story.
Since its inception, the Catalyst Accelerator has been doing something extraordinary: accelerating the growth of companies that strengthen our community and our nation's defense ecosystem.
As of April 2026, here's what that looks like:
β
16 Completed Cohorts
π’ 116 Companies Served
π 472 Contracts Won
π° $387.2M in Contract Follow-On Funding
π $331.3M in Investment Follow-On Funding
πΌ 1,865 Jobs Created
π€ 56 Sponsors
πΈ $884K in Sponsorship Funds
That's nearly $720 million in combined follow-on funding generated, and nearly 2,000 jobs created across the country and beyond.
None of this happens without an incredible network of sponsors, mentors, and partners who believe in the mission, and without the founders who take the leap. The Catalyst Accelerator exists because this community shows up, and these metrics show what's possible when it does.
Big things are on the horizon. Stay tuned! π«
04/23/2026
π« Didn't make it to Demo Day for the AI/ML Orchestrator cohort?
Check out the press release below to learn more about the 6 cohort companies and what took place during this incredible event! Thank you to our keynote speaker, Kenneth Burnett, Technical Director of Space Delta 7, for sharing an operationally focused perspective on the importance of AI-enabled intelligence orchestration in maintaining decision advantage in contested environments.
Best of luck to this INCREDIBLE cohort! π
Read the press release HERE: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/04/23/3280183/0/en/catalyst-accelerator-caamo-cohort-demonstrates-ai-driven-intelligence-capabilities-for-space-delta-7.html