FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Who is the program open to?

    IAI Catalyst is open to pre-seed and seed startups and mature research projects located in the United States who can address the posted technology focus areas.

  • What is the duration of the program?

    5 months.

  • Is the program virtual or in person?

    The program is hybrid, with about 2 weeks in person of the 20 weeks. Participating startups are required to attend the in-person program Kickoff Week and culminating Demo Day reception in Washington, D.C. to close out the program. While companies can participate virtually for the rest of the duration of the program, they have full access to the IAI North America's Innovation Center in Herndon, Virginia, including their own private office space, if desired.

  • Does the program cost anything?

    The program does not charge a fee for its support but asks for a small percentage of equity (up to 7%) to participate in the program. As stated on the website’s home page, the “value” of the IAI accelerator program is $200K - $100K in cash and $100K in-kind (Starburst accelerator services).

  • Does IAI provide funding support?

    Yes, the selected companies will have the option to receive an investment structured as a SAFE in exchange for equity in the startup. IAI will also prepare the founders to raise additional funds and provide ample opportunities to market their technologies to key players in the ecosystem.

  • What does the pilot project with IAI look like?

    1.) Exploratory: Startups and IAI begin discussions to assess alignment, exchange insights, and identify areas of mutual interest. This phase lays the foundation for deeper technical and business engagement; 2.) Validation: Startups work with IAI to showcase Proof-of-Concepts (PoCs) and technology demonstrations. This stage focuses on proving technical feasibility and highlighting the technology’s potential impact to IAI stakeholders; 3.) Alignment: As engagement deepens, both teams collaborate to define a clear Scope of Work (SOW) for a potential co-development project, aligning on objectives, timelines, deliverables, and resource needs; 4.) Co-Development: Startups and IAI work together to execute the agreed-upon project, achieving key milestones and developing solutions that address IAI’s strategic needs.

  • What is the time commitment for participating startups during the 5-month program?

    Throughout the program, startups will engage with IAI technical teams, mentors, and industry experts, working on business development, technical integration, and milestone preparation. Key touchpoints include weekly check-ins, workshops, and collaborative sessions. The time commitment during the remote part of the program is about 5-10 hours per week. The in-person activities (Kickoff Week - 4 days, and Demo Day - 1 day) will require a time commitment of 5-7 hours per day.

  • Can foreign (non-U.S.) projects / startups apply?

    IAI Catalyst is open to U.S. startups. For non-U.S. companies or projects, we offer other similar accelerator programs. Please contact us to learn more.

  • What kind of mentors are we looking for?

    IAI Catalyst is looking for expert industry mentors in a variety of tech related fields which include but are not limited to AI and autonomy, quantum sciences, space tech, sustainability and energy tech.

  • Who can I contact with further questions regarding application submissions and/or general inquiries?

    Please email catalyst@iaiusa.com with questions and to get added to a list to stay updated on upcoming events and program announcements. Be sure to include a link to your company's website, a brief description of the technology you are working on, and anything else you think we may need to know so that we can better assist you.

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