Become an agent of change and join other ambitious leaders in our mission to boldly tackle the toughest challenges facing our members, our industry, and our world.
Express your interest in joining a Catalyst project using the button below and completing the short form. We will be in touch to discuss the details.
Catalysts are a unique and exciting opportunity to team up with like-minded professionals who want to drive the industry forward in new and exciting ways. By connecting the collective power of the sharpest minds and top industry trailblazers, our Catalyst teams co-create groundbreaking solutions that reshape industries and society.
Project proposals can be submitted at any time indicating the respective event(s) you’d like to showcase at. See ‘Process’ for details on how a proposal is reviewed and approved.
Keep up-to-date on the latest co-created thought leadership and innovation from the collective power of our Catalyst teams. Follow the projects to explore their powerful use cases and solutions to the industry’s biggest challenges, all designed to create more efficient businesses and optimized end-user experiences.
Catalyst projects bring together different types of member organizations, from large to small, old to new.
Organizations and individuals joining a Catalyst commit to the collaborative nature of the teams where all members have a say in the direction and execution of project work.
Organizations joining a project must:
On a Catalyst project team, all members are treated equally and have equal say. Everyone should be involved in the strategy, development and decisions made by the team.
The actual commitment required from a team member in a specific project varies and is unique to each project. Roles and responsibilities are agreed upon by the project members. On averages, teams meet every 1-2 weeks
Project team members must:
Confirmation of participation in a project is at the Organization level. All organizations with individuals participating in or contributing to a project must sign a contract.
TM Forum uses Catalyst Master Service Agreements (MSA) and Statement of Work (SOWs) for the Catalyst Contracts process, streamlining the legal process for our members to join Catalyst projects.
Master Service Agreement (MSA)**
Statement of Work (SOWs)
SOWs are only be issued when Member has a signed Catalyst MSA
Project Contract
Standard Project Contracts are used when MSA/SOWs are inapplicable
Invoices
Invoices are sent when:
Benefits of joining a Catalyst project include:
Marketing
Moonshot exclusive
Assets
Moonshot exclusive:
At event
Moonshot exclusive:
Organizations can have two distinct roles within a Catalyst:
Champion
(CSP/vertical industry)
Participants
(solution providers)
*exceptions may apply
Key Milestones for DTW25 - Ignite
4th December 2024 - WEBINAR - Quick Connect - Early bird matchmaking for Catalysts
22nd January 2025 - WEBINAR - Open Session - Catalysts Uncovered: Collectively driving industry change
28th February 2025 - PENDING ACTIVATION status deadline - A minimum of 2 Champions & 3 paying Participants committed and onboarded to the project team
14th March 2025 - ‘Race to Active’ Deadline (First 10 teams to become active eligible for offers)
4th April 2025 - ACTIVE status deadline - A minimum of 2 Champions & 3 paying Participants have signed and returned their contracts
4 April 2025 - Last day to confirm a new organization to join a Catalyst team
25 April 2025 - Deadline for all Catalyst SOWs/Contracts to be signed by Catalyst team members
First steps when joining a Catalyst team
New to a Catalyst team? Open our first steps checklist to get started
Project team member event portals
Catalyst program information and resources to support project team members execute and showcase Catalyst work inlcuding:
• Deadlines and Deliverables Calendar
• Task Checklist
• Marketing Tool-kit
• Catalyst Awards
• Live showcase logistics
• Webinars & Tutorials
• Edit your project webpage How-to-guides
• Catalyst proposal to active cycle explained
• Catalyst contracts - MSA & SOWs
• Catalyst team roles & responsibilities
Indicative Catalyst pricing for DTW Ignite’25 & Innovate Asia’25, are available on the right. Prices are subject to change; for the latest updates, please reach out to your engagement manager.
Pricing is for Participants only: Select the respective company size on sidebar, to reflect the indicative fees. Reach out to your engagement manager for more details.
Phase 2+ Participant discount: Participants involved in the previous phase of a continuing Catalyst project receive a 25% discount off the participation fee for the current phase (applicable to TM Forum Members only).
Member Champions do not pay a Catalyst fee but are expected to contribute time and effort towards defining the challenge, establishing the business requirements/use cases, giving feedback on solutions as they are developed, and promoting the solutions within their organizations and to the industry.
Non-Members of TM Forum can join Catalysts but may be subject to a 2.5x surcharge. This includes the non-member CSP Champions. Please contact us for more details.
Contracts and invoices are sent when a Catalyst project team confirms the minimum required number of Champions and Participants.
Catalyst teams must have an innovative approach to tackling the challenges facing our members. An individual or small group develops a new or continuing project idea and works on a draft proposal. A submission template is available to help with this Champion involvement at this stage is vital for defining and or validating the key industry challenges and business requirements.
All teams should be able to defend how their proposed solution is new, innovative, timely, and has a clear business value that fits with the goals of the TM Forum, its members, and the industry. Submissions need to effectively communicate the project's business value and impact with clear and measurable outcomes and benefits. Submission proposals require contacts from at least 1 'Champion' and 2 additional unique organizations who have expressed interest in participation. Contacts should be aware of inclusion and may be copied on proposal-related communications. Project proposals must be submitted online and by the deadline for respective event showcase consideration. Incomplete proposals will be declined.
Each Catalyst project proposal submission is reviewed to ensure all advancing Catalyst projects meet our standards of innovation and are in alignment with TM Forum goals. Reviews typically take 2-3 weeks with the longer times being proposal received closer to the deadline. Submitters may receive feedback and given a chance to resubmit if the proposal is not accepted for Matchmaking.
During Matchmaking, members reach out to potential partners to build strong project teams confirm at least the required minimum of Champions and paying Participants. A project webpage is built for teams to publish content and recruit members. Additional organizations can request to join teams and be introduced to project members. Catalyst teams can begin work on planning, designing, building, and testing their solution.
A major milestone for our Catalyst teams is when they have commitment confirmed from a minimum of 3 paying Participants and 2 Champions and advance "Pending Activation' status. Project is considered viable and members get access to additional marketing benefits and operational support resources Consistent input, validation & participation from a highly involved Champion throughout the duration of the project cycle is key to success. Champions are critical partners and fundamental for industry acceptance and endorsement.
Reaching ‘Active’ status means your project has met all the requirements to fully participate in that Catalyst cycle. A minimum of 3 paying Participants and 2 Champion contracts have been signed and returned Invoice are sent to Participants A spot to demonstrated live at the corresponding event is confirmed and project team is eligible to submit for awards. Event pass registration links are sent. All relevant marketing and operational support benefits are made available.