catalyst: how to get involved
What is Catalyst?
Catalyst is an immersive skills sprint - part hackathon, part mentoring over 4 hours - bringing LGBTQ+ founders and VCSE sector organisations who support that community, together with skilled volunteers from leading UK corporates and local firms and institutions, in London & Exeter UK.
Want to get involved?
Step 1. We have a preliminary discussion (taking place now).
Step 2. You confirm participation and number of teams/location; and submit P0 for invoicing.
Step 3. Submit pre-provided details of your team(s) 4 weeks prior to event.
Step 4. We match your team to a LGBTQ+ project and provide briefing kit.
Step 5. Introductory call 2 weeks prior to event (Zoom/Teams).
Step 6. Event delivery.
Step 7. Post-Event Debrief.
Who Are Regenerous
Regenerous was founded by social enterprise catalyser Andrea Gamson. She was Pioneers Post’s & Natwest’s Women’s Champion 2019, and in 2025 published Social Starters: Make Changing the World Your Business. Andrea is the founder of Social Impact Support, and behind the leadership and business skills mentoring programme, Regenerous who support corporate partners to redistribute their best talent to help upskill social entrepreneurs to solve business challenges. Regenerous can come to your regional offices, or your HQ in June - or you can submit a team to one our flagship mixed-partner events taking place in London, and Exeter throughout July 2026.
This isn't a charity problem it's a business model problem
86% of LGBTQ+ VCSE income depends on grants and corporate goodwill - sources that move with political sentiment, not organisational need. LGBTQ+ social enterprises apply for external finance at above-average rates, yet secure it at just 43% versus 60% nationally. Not because the businesses aren't viable. Because the infrastructure around them is under-built. A cheque helps for a year. The right skills from people who know how to build a resilient business, changes what's possible for much longer.
That's the difference Catalyst is designed to make.
The Social Enterprises
We will work with early to growth-stage social enterprises and local charities, projects and small businesses that are either founded by queer people, or directly tackling issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community: such as health & wellbeing, discrimination, housing, employment, or youth support. They will be projects taking root in a specific community, start-ups, or growing ventures who seek to change the system and ensure nobody gets left behind. Selected through an open application process. All enterprises receive a full day of expert skills input pro bono. There is an invitation to regroup after the event too.
How to get involved
Corporate partners contribute £2,950+vat per team to participate. If we come to your office to deliver a custom event, we require a minimum of 2 teams (8 participants) to take part, as well as provision of a suitable space, and lunch and refreshments to be provided..
To find out more, and explore how to integrate this into your CSR, DE&I or other strategic offerings book a call to discuss your brief now. Book in 2026 to lock in 2026 prices (£2,000+vat per team)
Deadline for preliminary discussions: 19th October 2026.
Deadline to confirm participation: 29th April 2027.
Partners & Delivery
Regenerous Fellowship
Want to develop your leadership in right relationship with and alongside nature? We're taking expressions of interest now for our exciting new fellowship!