Submit a proposal
Catalysts are a unique and exciting opportunity to team up with like-minded professionals who want to drive the industry forward in new and exciting ways. By connecting the collective power of the sharpest minds and top industry trailblazers, our Catalyst teams co-create groundbreaking solutions that reshape industries and society.
Project proposals can be submitted at any time indicating the respective event(s) you’d like to showcase at. See ‘Process’ for details on how a proposal is reviewed and approved.
Join a project
Become an agent of change and join other ambitious leaders in our mission to boldly tackle the toughest challenges facing our members, our industry, and our world.
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.
What’s involved?
What is level of commitment required to participate?
Catalyst projects bring together different types of member organizations, from large to small, old to new.
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 joining a project must:
- Sign a Statement of Work / Project contract for each project they are participating in
- Provide relevant staff to actively collaborate on the project work and deliverables with other team members and Forum personnel
- Ensure that only employed representatives are participating in and contributing to the project work
- Promote Project through their organization’s marketing channels
- Send appropriate support to live showcase event
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. Roles and responsibilities are agreed upon by the project members. On averages, teams meet every 1-2 weeks
Project team members must:
- Be employed by an officially contracted project member organization
- Consistently participate in project calls and meetings
- Contribute to fulfilling technical duties (definition, design, implementation and testing)
- Meet program marketing and operational deadlines and deliverables
- Support and attend live event showcase
- May be asked to support one of the key project roles; Project Lead, Co-Lead, Marketing Lead, and Technical Lead
What is type of contract or agreement is need to join a project?
Confirmation of participation in a project is at the Organization level. All organizations with individuals participating in or contributing to a project must sign a contract.
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)**
- Members are strongly encouraged to sign a Catalyst MSA even if they are not currently planning on or actively engaging in a Catalyst project
- Once signed, a Catalyst MSA applies to any future Catalyst project participation
Statement of Work (SOWs)
SOWs are only be issued when Member has a signed Catalyst MSA
- SOWs are required for each Catalyst project the Member joins
- SOWs contain specific event and Catalyst project details including any applicable fees
- SOWs are initiated upon receipt of written confirmation/approval of the Member joining the project team
Project Contract
Standard Project Contracts are used when MSA/SOWs are inapplicable
- Contracts are required for each Project the Member joins
- Project Contracts contain specific event and project details including any applicable fees
- Contracts are initiated upon receipt of written confirmation/approval of the Member joining the project team
Invoices
Invoices are sent when:
- Project team is ACTIVE Status and
- SOW or Project Contract is signed
What is included when joining a Catalyst project?
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)
What are the roles of the Catalyst Champions and Participants?
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
What are the key dates in the Catalyst cycle timelines?
Key Milestones for DTW25 - Ignite
4th December 2024 - WEBINAR - Quick Connect - Early bird matchmaking for Catalysts
22nd January 2025 - WEBINAR - Open Session - Catalysts Uncovered: Collectively driving industry change
28th February 2025 - PENDING ACTIVATION status deadline - A minimum of 2 Champions & 3 paying Participants committed and onboarded to the project team
14th March 2025 - ‘Race to Active’ Deadline (First 10 teams to become active eligible for offers)
4th April 2025 - ACTIVE status deadline - A minimum of 2 Champions & 3 paying Participants have signed and returned their contracts
4 April 2025 - Last day to confirm a new organization to join a Catalyst team
25 April 2025 - Deadline for all Catalyst SOWs/Contracts to be signed by Catalyst team members
Where can I access project support resources for current project team members?
PROJECT SUPPORT RESOURCES
First steps when joining a Catalyst team
New to a Catalyst team? Open our first steps checklist to get started
Project team member event portals
Catalyst program information and resources to support project team members execute and showcase Catalyst work inlcuding:
• Deadlines and Deliverables Calendar
• Task Checklist
• Marketing Tool-kit
• Catalyst Awards
• Live showcase logistics
• Webinars & Tutorials
• Edit your project webpage How-to-guides
• Catalyst proposal to active cycle explained
• Catalyst contracts - MSA & SOWs
• Catalyst team roles & responsibilities
Pricing
Indicative pricing for DTW '25 is available on the right. Prices are subject to change; for the latest updates, please reach out to your engagement manager.
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).
Member 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. This includes the non-member CSP Champions. 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.
The process
Proposal Ideation
Catalyst teams must have an innovative approach to tackling the challenges facing our members. An individual or small group develops a new or continuing project idea and works on a draft proposal. A submission template is available to help with this Champion involvement at this stage is vital for defining and or validating the key industry challenges and business requirements.
Proposal Submission
All teams should be able to defend how their proposed solution is new, innovative, timely, and has a clear business value that fits with the goals of the TM Forum, its members, and the industry. Submissions need to effectively communicate the project's business value and impact with clear and measurable outcomes and benefits. Submission proposals require contacts from at least 1 'Champion' and 2 additional unique organizations who have expressed interest in participation. Contacts should be aware of inclusion and may be copied on proposal-related communications. Project proposals must be submitted online and by the deadline for respective event showcase consideration. Incomplete proposals will be declined.
Proposal Review
Each Catalyst project proposal submission is reviewed to ensure all advancing Catalyst projects meet our standards of innovation and are in alignment with TM Forum goals. Reviews typically take 2-3 weeks with the longer times being proposal received closer to the deadline. Submitters may receive feedback and given a chance to resubmit if the proposal is not accepted for Matchmaking.
Matchmaking
During Matchmaking, members reach out to potential partners to build strong project teams confirm at least the required minimum of Champions and paying Participants. A project webpage is built for teams to publish content and recruit members. Additional organizations can request to join teams and be introduced to project members. Catalyst teams can begin work on planning, designing, building, and testing their solution.
Pending Activation / Viable
A major milestone for our Catalyst teams is when they have commitment confirmed from a minimum of 3 paying Participants and 2 Champions and advance "Pending Activation' status. Project is considered viable and members get access to additional marketing benefits and operational support resources Consistent input, validation & participation from a highly involved Champion throughout the duration of the project cycle is key to success. Champions are critical partners and fundamental for industry acceptance and endorsement.
Active
Reaching ‘Active’ status means your project has met all the requirements to fully participate in that Catalyst cycle. A minimum of 3 paying Participants and 2 Champion contracts have been signed and returned Invoice are sent to Participants A spot to demonstrated live at the corresponding event is confirmed and project team is eligible to submit for awards. Event pass registration links are sent. All relevant marketing and operational support benefits are made available.