# Catalysr - Accelerator for Migrants & Refugees

> Catalysr is an Australian entrepreneurship organisation helping migrant and refugee founders build startups and social enterprises through education, coaching and local networks. Founded in 2016 by Usman Iftikhar and Jacob Muller, it reports supporting over 1,300 founders from 87 countries and the creation of more than 300 businesses. Its programs span early ideation, startup growth and diaspora-led market entry.

- **Founded:** 2016
- **Headquarters:** Sydney, Australia
- **Founders:** Usman Iftikhar (Co-Founder & CEO), Jacob Muller (Co-Founder)
- **Products:** Accelerate, NSW Migrapreneur Fellowship, Melbourne Migrapreneurs, Victoria India Market Makers, AI Business Growth Program
- **Notable:** Reports over 1,300 migrapreneurs supported since 2016., Reports participants from 87 countries and 48% female participation., Reports more than 300 businesses created.

## Products & services

- **Accelerate** — Growth support with bootcamp, weekly entrepreneur-in-residence mentoring, workshops and alumni networks. The 2025 national program ran for three months for up to 25 startups, free and without equity; a 12-week NSW growth program is described for 2026.
- **NSW Migrapreneur Fellowship** — Fully subsidised eight-week hybrid foundation program with startup masterclasses, coaching and community access. Intake 2 is scheduled for 15 October to 3 December 2026.
- **Melbourne Migrapreneurs** — Ideation and traction streams delivered with City of Melbourne and Arctic 90; eight masterclasses, coaching and a selective validation sprint. A$100 commitment fee, hardship scholarships and A$1,000 validation grants for selected sprint founders.
- **Victoria India Market Makers** — Market-entry preparation for up to 20 Victoria-based Indian-Australian founders and a planned India delegation for up to ten. Preparation is free; delegation fee is A$1,000 excluding GST plus international flights, visas and incidentals.
- **AI Business Growth Program** — Haymarket workshops and expert guidance for underrepresented entrepreneurs; listed in City of Sydney approved 2025/26 business support grants.

## Achievements

- Reports over 1,300 migrapreneurs supported since 2016.
- Reports participants from 87 countries and 48% female participation.
- Reports more than 300 businesses created.
- Founder Usman Iftikhar named Commonwealth Young Person of the Year in 2018.
- Founder selected as a 2019 Obama Foundation Asia-Pacific Leader and Westpac Social Change Fellow.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — NSW fellowship Intake 2 is scheduled for 15 October to 3 December 2026; its published application deadline was 30 September.
- **2026-09** — Victoria India Market Makers schedules four preparation sessions across September and October and travel to Mumbai and Bangalore for 25 November to 2 December 2026.
- **2026-06** — NSW publishes a program delivery contract for Catalysr Foundation Ltd with estimated payments of A$220,000 including GST, ending 30 May 2028.
- **2026** — Melbourne Migrapreneurs lists 2026 applications closed and an expression of interest for 2027.

## Links

- Website: https://catalysr.com.au/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/catalysr/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/Catalysr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Catalysr

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/catalysr-accelerator-for-migrants-and-refugees
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-08