Capstone Catalyst Program

Supporting Innovative Engineering Capstone Projects

Funded by the Esch Foundation 

Turn your capstone project into something bigger. Capstone Catalyst helps engineering students design innovative, high-impact projects with real-world potential, supported by Esch Foundation funding and the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business.  

Through hands-on workshops, you’ll learn how to: 

  • Identify meaningful, real-world problems worth solving 

  • Explore market potential and customer needs early 

  • Apply practical business and innovation tools in manageable steps 

  • Build momentum for your capstone across academic terms 

Norman Esch Pitch Competition student on stage with audience listening

Who can participate?

  • Engineering students in 3B and 4A terms 
  • 4A students are eligible for seed funding to jump-start their capstone projects and explore commercial viability

Workshop Two: Business Models and Social Impact

Tuesday, November 18, 5:45 PM
Second Floor, Ideas Clinic E7 

Capstone Catalyst: From Problem to Pitch
Want to jump-start your capstone and win up to $4,000?

Funded by the Esch Foundation, Capstone Catalyst helps you turn big problems into high-impact projects using early market insights and entrepreneurial tools. This week’s fast-paced session will show you how to validate assumptions, explore real market needs, and design projects with social impact, all while using the Lean Canvas to shape your value proposition and customer focus.

4A students: Attend the workshop and submit your idea for a chance to win $2,000–$4,000 in seed funding to launch your capstone next term.

Don’t miss out! This is your chance to get ahead and get funded.