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Submit a proposal

For each event, we open a 'Call for Catalyst' to invite proposals to showcase at the respective event. The Call for Catalyst project submissions is now open for Innovate Asia, showcasing in Bangkok on 5-7 November 2024. The deadline to submit a new Catalyst proposal is 21 June 2024.

Submit a proposal

Join a project

We have received a huge number of exciting submissions for new Open Innovation and Moonshot Catalysts for DTW'24 - Ignite, and the projects are now in Matchmaking status, ready to add new team members. Contact them via their webpage to discuss how your company can get involved and add value to accelerate the innovation in their use cases. The last date for companies to join viable Catalysts is 8 March 2024.

Join a project

What’s involved?

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 also agree to the rules of engagement where anyone working on the project is officially a contracted member of the Catalyst.

Catalyst projects bring together different types of member organizations, from large to small, old to new. 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. Commitment is agreed upon by the project members and is documented in a Catalyst project charter. Depending whether your organization takes the role of a Champion or Participant there are specific responsibilities for each role.

In addition to fulfilling technical duties (definition, design, implementation and testing), team members are expected to be involved in the team marketing and showcase efforts and may be asked to support one of the key project roles (see Project Roles section below).

All team members must:

  • Actively participate in the project and work collaboratively
  • Attend project calls and meetings
  • Promote the Catalyst project through their orginzation's marketing channels
  • Attend showcase events

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)

  • Organizations only need to sign an MSA once, the MSA is then applicable for all future Catalyst projects the organization joins
  • Future participation in Catalyst projects will simply require signing an SOW for each project
  • The MSA can be signed at any time, even if the member is not actively engaged in a Catalyst project
  • Standard Catalyst contracts can still be used if the member is unable to sign the MSA

Statement of Work (SOWs)

  • SOWs are sent for signature only if/when an MSA has been signed
  • SOWs contain specific event and Catalyst project details and lists any applicable Participant fees
  • SOWs are sent when that specific Catalyst project becomes ‘viable’ (see "The process" chart)
  • A separate SOW must be signed for each Catalyst project the organization joins

Benefits of joining a Catalyst project include:

  • Build your profile through networking on TM Forum’s dedicated Catalyst project webpage
  • Spotlight your work through TM Forum’s marketing campaigns before, during and after the event
  • Amplify your story with a showcase video and bespoke marketing toolkit
  • Promote your solution to industry peers at TM Forum events
  • Boost your profile with a branded Catalyst project showcase stand at TM Forum events
  • Gain industry recognition with a chance to win a prestigious Catalyst Team Award

Marketing

  • Creation of 1 promotional video
  • Article about the project published on Inform
  • Email and newsletter exposure
  • Logo and company exposure at TM Forum events
  • TM Forum social media posts pre-& post event, published and promoted via TM Forum channels

Moonshot exclusive

  • Project overview infographic

Assets

  • Interactive Catalyst project webpage on tmforum.org
  • Lead generation data from project followers
  • Eligibility for Open Innovation Catalyst Awards
  • Support from subject matter experts
  • Self-promotion marketing toolkit

Moonshot exclusive:

  • Access to an Executive Coach to mentor and offer feedback and inputs to the team
  • Eligibility for Moonshot Catalyst Awards

At event

  • Branded Catalyst project stand in dedicated Catalyst zone for teams to run demos and capture leads
  • Presentation on Catalyst Innovation Arena stage
  • On-site TM Forum support
  • Two complimentary registration All ACCESS+ passes plus 25% discount on additional All ACCESS+ passes
  • Meet senior executive attendees
  • Social activities including food and beverages to meet and network with participants

Moonshot exclusive:

  • Panel discussion on the main DTW agenda (the team will select one Champion representative per team)

Organizations can have two distinct roles within a Catalyst:

Champion (CSP/vertical industry)

  • Potential user / buyer of the solution
  • Define the challenge and validate the commercial significance to the industry
  • Contribute to the requirements definition of the proposed solution
  • Inspire and curate the development of proposed solutions
  • Provide feedback on proposed solutions
  • Be the backer and business sponsor for the team
  • *Minimum 2 Champions per project. CSPs / Vertical industries – No participation fee

Participants (solution providers)

  • Develop the solution and design and deliver a proof-of-concept demonstration
  • Define and lead project plans and timelines
  • Explore and develop the solution and design and deliver a proof-of-concept demonstration
  • Leverage current industry knowledge and assets within your solution
  • Document your learnings and contribute these back to the industry
  • Minimum of 3 paying Participants per project – participation fee required (See fee scale).

*exceptions may apply

Key Milestones for DTW'24 - Ignite

  • 16th October 2023 - DTW'24 - Ignite Call for Catalyst opens and Matchmaking/team building begins

  • 8th December 2023 - DTW'24 - Ignite Call for Catalyst closes

  • 16th February 2024 - Catalyst project to become viable / confirm a minimum of 2 Champion & 3 paying Participant companies

  • 8th March 2024 - Final date for companies to join project teams

  • 29th March 2024 - Catalyst contracts (SOWs) signed

Key Milestones for Innovate Asia 2024

  • 4th March 2024 - Innovate Asia 2024 Call for Catalyst opens and Matchmaking/team building begins

  • 21st June 2024 - Innovate Asia 2024 Call for Catalyst closes

  • 2nd August 2024 - Catalyst project to become viable / confirm a minimum of 2 Champion & 3 paying Participant companies

  • 16th August 2024 - Final date for companies to join project teams

  • 30th August 2024 - Catalyst contracts (SOWs) signed

Follow a project

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.

Follow a project

Pricing

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).

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. 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.

DTW
Innovate Asia
$1,600

The pricing here is a guide based upon your company size. The final cost will be calculated for your contract

The process

1

Proposal Ideation

An individual or small group develops a new or continuing project idea and works on a draft proposal for submission. During this time Service Providers are vital for defining and/or validating the key industry challenges and business requirements. A submission template is available to help with this.

2

Proposal Submission

A formal Call for Catalyst will be announced for upcoming cycles. Submissions are received within an agreed timeframe and reviewed by TM Forum staff via an online form. During this time Service Provider involvement is vital for defining and or validating the key industry challenges and business requirements. Each submission must include interested contacts from a minimum of 3 organizations, including one CHAMPION to advance to the next stage for review. The deadline for proposal submissions to showcase at Innovate Asia 2024 in Bangkok is 21 June 2024. There is no fee to submit.

3

Proposal Review

Each Catalyst project proposal submission is reviewed by a TM Forum Subject Matter Expert to ensure all advancing Catalyst projects meet our standards of innovation and are in alignment with TM Forum goals. Submitters will receive feedback and have a chance to resubmit if desired in cases where your proposal is not approved for moving on to the Matchmaking phase of the Catalyst cycle.

4

Matchmaking

During Matchmaking, Catalyst teams work to confirm the minimum required number of CHAMPIONS and paying PARTICIPANTS for the Catalyst project to become viable. A public-facing online Catalyst Space is created to help attract additional Champions and Participants to join the Catalyst project team. Visitors can submit a request to join a Catalyst team and be introduced to project members. Catalyst teams can begin work on planning, designing, building, and testing their solution.

5

Pending Activation / Viable

Pending Activation status is reached when a Project team has CONFIRMED a minimum of 2 Champions and 3 paying Participants and contracts are ready to be issued. Additional marketing and support privileges become available at this stage.

6

Active

Active Catalyst projects are those where Contracts are returned from a minimum of 2 Champions and 3 paying Participants. Reaching ‘Active’ status means your project has met all the requirements to fully participant in that Catalyst cycle. A spot to showcase at the corresponding event is confirmed as well as all relevant marketing and operational support benefits. The results are demonstrated live during the relevant TM Forum event. The results are either published as standalone documentation or fed back to the appropriate collaborative teams for further development.