You’ve likely seen its building as you take a walk (or drive) around Lake Mirror — but how much do you really know about Catapult?
The incubator recently celebrated 10 years of growing Lakeland’s entrepreneurs + their businesses. To celebrate the occasion, we’re taking a stroll down memory lane to share 10 things Lakelanders ought to know about this local gem. Spoiler alert: It’s a lot more than a pretty building overlooking a lake.
It all started in Chattanooga
The idea for Catapult was born out of a trip that the Lakeland Economic Development Council (LEDC) took to Chattanooga, TN in 2013. After seeing how the downtown area of the city had been revitalized through opportunities for entrepreneurs + small businesses, the LEDC began thinking of ways it could do something similar for Lakeland.
Catapult hasn’t always existed off of Lake Mirror.
Photo by @catapultlkld
Before the building, there was the basement
One year after that trip to Chattanooga, the LEDC opened Catapult in an unlikely location: the basement of the Bank of America building. The basement didn’t deter folks too much, though — it grew to more than 80 members within its first year of operation. It moved to its existing building off of Lake Mirror in 2020.
Not in it for the money
Despite being focused on all things business, Catapult doesn’t operate on a for-profit model. As a privately funded 501(c)(3), it’s only able to do what it does thanks to the revenue it receives from membership fees + room rentals, as well as the generosity of community members and partners.
Consider Catapult’s Launch program Lakeland’s very own “Shark Tank.”
Photo by @catapultlkld
All about the growth
As an incubator, Catapult’s main goal is to grow scalable businesses. Through its Launch program, which began in 2016, it’s given out more than $400,000 to 61 different businesses to help them take operations to the next level.
And education, too
Growth can’t come without education, though. In addition to funding, Catapult also offers its members access to “Experts in Residence” — think: people who really know what they’re doing in their fields and can help entrepreneurs navigate all aspects of owning + operating a business.
Making a community impact
While not all businesses started in Catapult end up staying in Swan City, you’ll often find the ones that do are active in Lakeland at events like the Downtown Farmer’s Curb Market and Dixieland Night Market — and sometimes, they even opt to open up permanent locations here.
A fully stocked commercial kitchen is the perfect place to grow your food-based start-up.
Photo by @catapultlkld
It’s not for just one type of business
Between its Workspace, Makerspace, and Kitchen incubator programs, Catapult has the ability to help nearly every type of business. Its current member base spans industries from manufacturing and restaurants to consumer packaged goods and technology.
Or one type of founder
While the average age of a Catapult member sits around 41, founders at every age and stage are welcome to grow their ideas here — even college students.
Next time you take a bite of a Born & Bread cruffin, you can (partially) thank Catapult for making it happen.
Photo via @foodietampa
Some of your favorite small bizzes started there
More than 45 businesses have launched out of Catapult to date, including some of our readers’ local favorites like Born & Bread Bakehouse, Haus 820, Bloom Shakalaka, East of These, Bandidas Bake Shop, Mike & Mike Desserts, Iron Rock Software, and Secuni (now a part of Minuteman).
And there are more where that came from
Catapult is currently home to 240 members — get to know them.
