SEAM 2026 – Terms and Conditions

Throughout these terms and conditions, "Organiser" refers to Catalyst, the entity responsible for managing and delivering SEAM 2026. "Applicant" refers to anyone applying to be considered as a Featured Founder. "Featured Founder" refers to an Applicant who has been selected to take part in founder support leading up to SEAM.

SEAM is not a competition. Taking part carries no fees and requires no equity. For The Growth Track, Featured Founder selection is not decided by scoring Applicants against one another – the Organiser assesses whether founders are a good fit for SEAM's audience and format. The one exception is The Idea Track: a small prize pot is open to Idea Track Featured Founders only, where a small panel will judge and choose a winner; this is a minor, supporting element of SEAM and is addressed separately in Section 4 below.

Applications are welcomed under two tracks:

• Idea Track: for founders at idea stage. No product or revenue is required to apply.
• Growth Track: for pre-seed/seed founders who have something built and growing.

Applicants self-select their track when applying. The Organiser may suggest a different track where it is a better fit, and will discuss this with the Applicant before making any change.

Applications for SEAM 2026 open on 10th August 2026. Idea Track applications close on 30 August 2026 and Growth Track applications close on 11 September 2026. Applicants can apply via the SEAM application form.

Applicants who are not selected as Featured Founders are warmly invited to attend SEAM as general attendees, free of the Featured Founder commitments, so that SEAM remains a door-opener rather than a gate.

By applying, Applicants agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.

To apply, Applicants should meet the following:

• The founder or at least one co-founder is based in, or primarily building their venture in, Northern Ireland or has participated in a Catalyst programme.
• All individual Applicants must be aged 18 or over at the point of application.
• Idea Track Applicants do not need a product, prototype, or revenue – a clear idea and genuine intent to build is sufficient.
• Growth Track Applicants should have something built (a product, service, or prototype) and evidence of early traction or growth.

The Organiser may request further information to confirm eligibility at any stage. Eligibility decisions rest with the Organiser.

Selection works differently by track. Growth Track Featured Founders are assessed and selected directly by the Organiser, based on whether they are a good fit for SEAM's audience and format.

Idea Track Applicants who are selected as Featured Founders will be asked to pitch in front of a small panel as part of the Idea Stage prize pot (see Section 4). This panel process sits alongside Featured Founder selection rather than being how that selection is decided – being chosen as an Idea Track Featured Founder is a separate step from the pitch itself.

The Organiser's decisions on selection are final. Founder announcements are expected on 26th September 2026.

Selected Featured Founders will be asked to take part in the Featured Founder support preparations, running 12th October – 12th November 2026. Full details of the prep programme are still being finalised and will be communicated to Featured Founders with sufficient notice.

SEAM will include a small prize pot on the day for Idea Track Applicants. This is a minor, supporting element of SEAM and not the focus of the event or the Featured Founder programme. SEAM is not structured as a competition. Further detail on the prize pot will be shared with Featured Founders ahead of the event.

Intellectual property in an Applicant's venture remains the Applicant's own. Applicants are responsible for ensuring they own, or have appropriate permission to use, any intellectual property they present as part of SEAM.

By taking part, Featured Founders grant the Organiser a non-exclusive, worldwide licence to use their name, venture name, logo, and materials submitted or presented in connection with SEAM (including The Main SEAM, The Cross, The Weave, and The Open) for the purposes of promoting and delivering SEAM, both in the current year and in future promotional look-back material.

The Organiser takes Applicants' privacy seriously and will only process personal information for the purposes of running SEAM. The privacy policy can be found at: http://www.wearecatalyst.org/programme/privacy-policy/

Personal data will be handled in accordance with current UK data protection legislation and will not be disclosed to third parties without the Applicant's prior consent.

Photography and videography will be taken across SEAM, including, The Main SEAM, The Cross, The Weave, The Open, and the Featured Founder support preparation. These may be used for promotional and marketing purposes related to SEAM.

Featured Founders will be featured on public channels including Catalyst's website, social media, and press activity. By taking part, Featured Founders consent to the use of their name, image, and venture information for these purposes. Any concerns about specific content should be raised with the Organiser.

The Organiser shall not be held liable for any claims, damages, losses, or liabilities arising out of or related to an Applicant's or Featured Founder's involvement in SEAM. Applicants and Featured Founders agree to indemnify and hold the Organiser harmless from any legal actions, disputes, or liabilities arising during or after SEAM, and acknowledge they take part at their own risk.

SEAM places a strong emphasis on ethical conduct throughout the festival. Applicants and Featured Founders are expected to ensure their ventures align with ethical norms and legal standards, avoiding anything that may cause harm, discrimination, or breach relevant regulations. The Organiser may decline or withdraw a place where ethical concerns arise.

Featured Founders, mentors, speakers, partners, and anyone else involved in SEAM are expected to behave respectfully and professionally, with honesty, integrity, and collaboration. Disruptive, offensive, or unethical conduct will not be tolerated. Any concerns should be raised promptly with the Organiser.

These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of Northern Ireland. Applicants and Featured Founders irrevocably agree that the courts of Northern Ireland have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising out of or in connection with these terms.

Where the Organiser reasonably believes these terms have been breached, it may, at its sole discretion, withdraw a Featured Founder's place at SEAM. The Organiser's decision in such matters is final.

Dates are subject to change at the Organiser's discretion; Applicants and Featured Founders will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

• 10th August 2026 – Applications open
• 30th August 2026 – Idea Track Applications close
• 11th September 2026 – Growth Track Applications close
• 26th September 2026 – Founder announcements
• 12th October – 12th November 2026 – Featured Founder Support Preparations
• 17th November 2026 – SEAM 2026, Belfast

For any questions, please contact the Organiser at: seam@wearecatalyst.org