Outcast Ventures, an early-stage venture firm built on the belief that founding teams matter more than founding ideas.
Catalyst, Outcast’s founder formation engine, is for founders who take co-founder selection seriously.
Catalyst is 8 weeks in SF with founders who have all built something substantial before: half technical, half non-technical, all intentional about who they start a company with. You work from the same office, get to know each other, and decide if you want to found a company together.
If you meet your co-founder through Catalyst and choose to found a company together, Outcast is positioned to write your first check and you get access to the talent network for your earliest hires.
Catalyst is for individuals, not formed teams. You don't need an idea. You need to be serious about starting a company and uncompromising about who you build with.
The April 6 deadline has passed but we are still accepting late applications.
Late applicants will not be guaranteed a response by April 13. We will do our best to get back to you as soon as possible. We read every application regardless of when it's submitted. Applying late is also a good way to be on our radar for the next Catalyst session.
Catalyst 01 runs April 27 – June 19, 2026 in San Francisco. You need to be in person.
Full FAQ here.
