Venture Building Day
A full-day business build experience to turn AI-powered ideas into fundable momentum.
Hosted alongside the Future Forward Summit at 1Philadelphia’s Innovation Weekend. Your ticket includes admission to the 1Philadelphia Innovation Weekend and UEV's Venture Building Day.
Catalyst Venture Building Day is a one-day sprint and innovation lab designed for very early-stage founders, solo builders, and operators ready to move from concept to momentum.
While the Future Forward Summit offers thought leadership, breakouts, and Demo Day pitches, Catalyst is the hands-on track: a place to build, test, and pitch your idea with the support of mentors, tools, and peers.
Roll up your sleeves:
Prototypes & Workflows - Shape and test your idea
Storytelling Skills - Learn to pitch with clarity and impact.
Mentorship Access - Guidance from experts in product, design, AI, and go-to-market.
Investor Pathways - Get connected to capital networks
Community – Collaborate with other builders and plug into the Philadelphia innovation ecosystem.
🗓️ Full-Day Agenda
9:30 – 10:00 | Check-in + Breakfast
Networking, orientation, and mentor introductions.
10:00 – 10:30 | Kickoff & Challenge Framing
Welcome remarks.
10:30 – 11:00 | Idea Market
Pitch your concept and form your team.
11:00 – 1:15 | Build Sprint #1 (with lunch)
Shape your prototype, pitch deck, and business plan.
1:15 – 2:00 | Founder Labs (Micro-Workshops)
Hands-on sessions to level-up skills.
2:00 – 4:15 | Build Sprint #2
Refine prototypes + pitches with mentor check-ins.
4:15 – 5:30 | Showcase + Feedback
3-minute demo + 3-minute feedback.
5:30 – 6:30 | Reception + What’s Next
Prizes, next-step pathways, and networking
Who Should Join
Solo builders ready to take the next step
First-time founders shaping and sharpening early-stage ideas
Founding teams or groups testing and validating new concepts
Operators & innovators eager to experiment with AI-powered solutions