Catapult Lakeland Inc

“Form 990, part vi, section b, line 11 organization's process to review form 990 is with the vp operations/catapult president with the cpa before it is filed and designates these staff members to discuss any questions with the cpa who prepares the return. Form 990, part vi, section b, line 12c we monitor any interests with our board of directors and volunteer legal counsel. Form 990, part vi, section c, line 19 the organization makes it governing documents, conflict of interest policy and financial statements available to the public by having them available in the corporate office and by mail upon request.”

“The board of directors reviews the form 990 before it is filed and designates one of its members to discuss any questions with the cpa who prepared the return.”

“We monitor any interests with our board of directors and volunteer legal counsel.”

“The organization makes it governing documents, conflict of interest policy and financial statements available to the public by having them available in the corporate office and by mail upon request.”

“Catapult lakeland, inc. A community-centered entrepreneur center located in lakeland, fl. We aim to foster the growth of startups in the lakeland, fl and central florida area and maintain their success through affordable membership, thoughtful education, and funding to drive local business forward. Catapult lakeland, inc. Is a place where entrepreneurs can flourish and develop ideas that result in establishing and growing businesses in the lakeland, florida area through education and mentoring opportunities. Over the years, our staff has been laser-focus on building a state-of-the- art facility. Led by christin strawbridge and a wonderful team of collaborators, this building allows us to better serve lakeland's entrepreneurs and accomplish our mission of fostering the growth of startups in lakeland by providing affordable space, thoughtful education, and funding opportunities. Our mission is to increase the viability of startups and catapult was created to help facilitate growth for lakeland by providing space, education, mentorship, and resources. Our hope is that the subsidized space and programming result in accelerated growth of successful companies in lakeland and the entire central florida region.”

“Form 990, part 1, line 1, description of organization mission: through educational and mentoring programs, catapult provides an atmosphere for education, mentoring, training, and accelerating innovative ideas to help entrepreneurs learn how to build stronger, successful businesses. Catapult provides educational opportunities and resources that allow entrepreneurs to pitch and flush out ideas to catapult their businesses to the next level, as well as identify technologies or business gaps, and provide value-added solutions. Catapult is a place where ideas can be shared and problems can be solved in an entrepreneurial culture that encourages and fosters innovation for the betterment of the lakeland community. The workspace is home base for all of the coworking, desk, and office members. While membership rates are relatively inexpensive, this space is designed to be more than cheap office space. It is an intentional community to support founders as they grow their startup. Makerspace: complete with a metal shop, wood shop, textile shop, and rapid prototyping station, the makerspace is purpose built to accommodate a startup's manufacturing needs. This facility helps entrepreneurs become established with a much lower capital investment. Kitchen: the kitchen incubator exists to launch startups in the restaurant, bakery, and consumer packaged goods industries. Kitchen members have access to a licensed commercial kitchen to produce their products as well as sales avenues and mentorship opportunities.”

“Form 990, part iii, line 1 catapult puts creative capital to work through educational and mentoring programs that: support the professional growth of entrepreneurs, artisans and emerging leaders; help entrepreneurs build and develop sustainable and viable ventures; enables the development of visionary ideas for the lakeland, fl community, as well as central florida; showcase entrepreneurial successes and ideas, as well as establish a platform for social interaction.”

“Catapult lakeland, inc. Engages and equips local entrepreneurs, artisans, and emerging leaders with a variety of tools and resources to create a community that is stronger, more distinctive, and sustainable. Catapult's program and operating costs are funded by private individuals, foundations and earned revenue. All programs take place in lakeland, florida. As the city grows in number, it is our vision to see the creation of a thriving entrepreneurial-minded community. We want to assist in the creation and growth of companies that are going to add to lakeland's diverse industry base, provide additional jobs to our growing population, contribute to the overall enhancement of the city's quality of life, and fill vacant storefronts in our city. Reflecting on 2024, we are filled with deep gratitude for this community and the inspiring work happening at catapult. Every day, we have the privilege of supporting entrepreneurs as they create, innovate, and adapt. Celebrating 10 years of catapult prompted us to take a deeper look at our impact by analyzing what is working and what is not, where we see the most momentum, and how we can best serve founders moving forward. Over the past decade, catapult has helped launch 55 startups into their own brick-and- mortar spaces, facilitated more than 400,000 in micro-grants, and provided hundreds of businesses with the resources to test and refine their ideas. Our members span diverse industries, but we've seen significant growth in culinary and manufacturing, two sectors where we continue to see strong momentum. With this in mind, we are doubling down on high-impact programming by focusing on industries and entrepreneurs who are ready to scale. Whether it's through our kitchen incubator, makerspace, or workspace, we remain committed to continuous learning and iteration, ensuring that founders have the tools, mentorship, and connections to turn their vision into reality. At our core, we exist to empower entrepreneurs to build thriving businesses that contribute to lakeland's economy. This includes supporting startups as they grow into storefronts, create jobs, and expand their market reach. None of this would be possible without the generosity of our donors, mentors, and community partners. Their support makes it possible for founders to reduce overhead costs, access valuable resources, and increase chances of long-term success.”

“Development of our members: incubator membership - incubator members are running businesses with the desire to scale and want to participate in programs while (being held accountable for growth). Shared space membership - shared space members are not trying to scale a business; they are a part of catapult for the space and the community. Private donors - these donors believe having a thriving entrepreneurial community impacts our whole city, and their support is integral. Community partnerships - community partners engage with catapult through corporate membership. This allows them to access perks, such as discounted room rentals and coworking.”

“Mission-fit members the following qualities determine whether a startup's goals align with the mission of catapult: business is unique business is scalable founder is focused on hiring locally founder is coachable and has a desire to grow founder has a desire to launch from catapult into a space of their own the catapult staff will be maximizing new and existing programming to provide the support needed in order to continue making lakeland a more entrepreneurial-minded community. This support will be provided through the existing consumer packaged goods accelerator for food-based businesses and the experts in residence program. The makerspace the catapult makerspace is a 24/7 innovation hub providing entrepreneurs with professional-grade equipment, hands-on training, expert mentorship, and supplier connections to support manufacturing, engineering, and product development. 43 members 8,371 machine hours top industries: manufacturing health & wellness arts & entertainment engineering”