Innovation Growth Lab, Nesta: Unlocking Innovative Potential Catalyst 2025

Unlocking Innovative Potential is a UKRI-funded project led by Innovation Growth Lab (IGL, based at Nesta and the Barcelona School of Economics) to evaluate barriers to innovation in the UK. As part of this, Innovation Growth Lab has worked with Catalyst, an independent, non-profit science and technology hub in Belfast and Derry-Londonderry to develop Hello Possible, a pilot programme designed to introduce adults across Northern Ireland to Bill Aulet’s Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework. We were commissioned to conduct a qualitative evaluation of Hello Possible, to seek participants’ experiences of the programme as well as gather feedback from Catalyst staff and wider stakeholders on the programme.

IGL carried out a randomised controlled trial to assess the programme’s impact, whilst we undertook qualitative research via online in-depth interviews with participants of Hello Possible, Catalyst staff and stakeholders. Interviews covered experiences with the programme, barriers to participation, impact on attitude and behaviours and suggestions for future development, alongside exploring the role that the programme might play in the broader ecosystem in Northern Ireland.

We produced a report detailing participants’ experiences with different modes of delivery, the skills learned, and suggestions for improvement, along with insight from staff and stakeholders on how to roll out and scale Hello Possible in future. These insights have highlighted how the programme can be strengthened beyond the pilot stage to maximise positive outcomes.