Catalyst Entrepreneur Cohort
Position Overview
The mission of the University of Kansas School of Business is to advance and impart business knowledge while preparing students to be leaders who positively contribute to business and society.
The Catalyst (a program of the KU School of Business Management and Entrepreneurship Area) is an opportunity designed for students who have their own venture or are seeking to start a new venture and desire mentoring and other support.
Applicants accepted to The Catalyst will be paid to work up to five hours a week during the semester and will gain valuable insight as they seek to advance their concept. Mentors have been recruited to provide mentoring services. Participants in The Catalyst can expect their networks to expand given the nature of the relationships they will be expected to build with mentors, students, and other partners.
Before applying, please consider that the expectations of Catalyst members are to represent the KU School of Business and its Management and Entrepreneurship Area well. Being respectful of mentor’s time and being responsive to communications is a must.
The Catalyst (a program of the KU School of Business Management and Entrepreneurship Area) is an opportunity designed for students who have their own venture or are seeking to start a new venture and desire mentoring and other support.
Applicants accepted to The Catalyst will be paid to work up to five hours a week during the semester and will gain valuable insight as they seek to advance their concept. Mentors have been recruited to provide mentoring services. Participants in The Catalyst can expect their networks to expand given the nature of the relationships they will be expected to build with mentors, students, and other partners.
Before applying, please consider that the expectations of Catalyst members are to represent the KU School of Business and its Management and Entrepreneurship Area well. Being respectful of mentor’s time and being responsive to communications is a must.
Job Description
Think of The Catalyst as a paid opportunity to work on your venture/venture idea with others. If you are accepted into the program, we are going to pay you to work (and learn) on your own idea, in return we will ask you to demonstrate and communicate the progress you’ve made because of your time in The Catalyst. Learning is the goal, and the learning needs to be able to be demonstrated.
- Meet weekly with your assigned cohort and program staff to check in on venture progress
- All students are required to participate in the weekly group meeting on Fridays from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm (unless school is out on break, etc.).
- Be prepared for weekly meetings by doing assigned readings/research/etc.
- Provide feedback for the Catalyst to advance the program
- 8:30 – 9:30 am Monday through Thursday
- 1:00 – 2:00 pm Monday through Thursday
- 3:00 – 4:00 pm Monday through Thursday
- Ex. Ryan is available Tuesday and Thursday for cohorts that meet from 8:30-9:30 am, and Wednesday at 1:00 pm. Based on Ryan’s availability, Catalyst leadership will then place Ryan in a cohort during one of those times, and he will meet with that cohort every week for the duration of the program.
Required Qualifications
- Must be a KU student enrolled in at least 6 credit hours
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite including, PowerPoint, Excel and Word
- Must have an idea for a new venture – the venture itself does not have to be operating yet, but it could be
- Must be able to meet with mentors
- Demonstrated coachability, time management, and self-leadership
Preferred Qualifications
- Curious
- Resilient
- Ability to follow through with ideas to completion
- Interested in meeting new people and establishing new contacts
- Opportunistic
Additional Candidate Instructions
- Complete online application.
- Upload a resume.
- Include a very basic business plan as your cover letter or additional document. This will be a one-page word doc that must include Executive Summary, Product or Service, Type of Funding Needed, Potential Market and Stage (idea or existing business?).
- *See https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/plan-your-business/write-your-business-plan for examples and more information.
Contact Information to Applicants
Advertised Salary Range
Undergraduate: Minimum $10/hr / Graduate: Minimum $12/hr
Work Schedule
Flexible; Approximately 3 - 5 hours weekly
Anticipated Start Date
Tuesday January 16, 2024