Collegians Business Breakfast - Fuelling Innovation and Growth
Predictions and practical advice for business leaders, founders and parents as a profound shift transforms how companies are created and run.
Fuelling Innovation and Growth 'Why this is the Best Time in History to Start a Company’
Our guest speaker is a former pupil, from the class of 1990, Steve Orr, CEO of Catalyst. Offering predictions and practical advice for business leaders, founders and parents as a profound shift transforms how companies are created, scaled and run.
Business is moving towards greater autonomy, and companies of the future will achieve more with smaller teams, leaving people to focus on where humans create the most value: understanding customers, exercising sound judgement, imagining new possibilities and building the trust that turns ideas into action.
As CEO of Catalyst, Steve has a unique perspective on where business is heading. Drawing on Catalyst's work with entrepreneurs and leading innovation ecosystems around the world, he will share his predictions and practical advice for business owners, founders and parents preparing for a very different economic landscape.
Steve will explore:
- Why startups have a significant advantage over established organisations
- Why deep customer understanding and effective go-to-market strategies are becoming the defining competitive edge
- What established businesses can learn from the world's most advanced startups
- How parents and young people should think about university, careers and creating their own opportunities
- Where Northern Ireland's entrepreneurs can compete - and win
Whether you're leading an established business, building a startup, a parent or involved in helping the next generation prepare for the future of work, this promises to be an insightful and thought-provoking session.
Date: Thursday 10 September 2026
Time: 8.30 - 10.00am
Location: Catalyst Building, Titanic Quarter
Programme:
8.30 - 9.00am Breakfast and Connect
9.00 - 9.05am Welcome and Intro
9.05 - 9.25am Steve Orr on ‘Fuelling Innovation and Growth - Why this is the Best Time in History to Start a Company’
9.25 - 9.45am Led Group Discussion
9.45 - 10.00am Opportunity to Connect
10am Close
