Every great city is built on great ideas. If you’ve been nursing a brilliant concept, a side hustle, or a plan to scale up your existing business, there’s one place in Gilbert ready to turn that spark into a flame: The CATALYST, a Small Business Resource Center. More than just an office space, The CATALYST is Gilbert’s one-stop hub for entrepreneurship, designed to eliminate the guesswork and roadblocks that often derail new ventures. Here’s how this strategic partnership between the Gilbert Office of Economic Development and the Gilbert Chamber Foundation can help you launch your big idea with confidence and support.
Mentorship & Expert Guidance
Starting a business can feel isolating, but you don't have to navigate it alone. The CATALYST provides direct access to the wisdom of seasoned professionals.
- One-on-One Coaching: Connect with local industry experts matched to your specific needs—whether it's marketing, finance, or operations. This personal guidance is invaluable for making smart, informed decisions right from the start.
- Community Partnerships with local partners such as Maricopa Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and SCORE. We have direct connections to link you to these great resources.
Tools, Training, and Technical Assistance
The CATALYST is an academy for entrepreneurs, offering practical resources to build a solid foundation for your business.
- Workshops: Access a continuous series of workshops led by experts on essential topics like business basics, financial planning, marketing essentials, and legal structuring. These are designed to give you actionable takeaways you can implement immediately.
- State-of-the-Art Facilities: Need a professional space to work, meet, or produce content? The CATALYST offers a Content Creation Corner (with lighting for photo/video), an Audio & Advice Podcast Studio, a Virtual Meeting room, and a Consultation Corner for private meetings—resources that are typically expensive for a startup to acquire.
- Online Resources: The Gilbert Next Level HUUB is an online extension of The CATALYST, providing a 24/7 digital community board, technical assistance, and networking opportunities.
Networking and Community Business success is often about who you know. The CATALYST creates a fertile ground for connection and collaboration.
- Connect with Peers: You'll be in a space designed to foster relationships with other entrepreneurs, small business owners, and innovators who are on the same journey.
- Professional Space: Use the center's rentable spaces to host professional meetings, pitch prospects, and establish credibility without needing a dedicated brick-and-mortar location immediately.
The CATALYST is more than a building; it's a promise that in Gilbert, no entrepreneur has to walk their journey alone. It is a destination where creativity meets connection, and where guidance is readily available to turn your ideas into a thriving, community-supported business.
Ready to stop wondering and start building? Reach out for how to get started: Nicole@gilbertchamber.com