Every year, there are a handful of events that genuinely influence how business leaders think about the future. For me, Catalyst 2026 is one of those events.
Technology is changing faster than ever. AI is reshaping how companies build products, how investors evaluate opportunities, and how enterprises choose technology partners. But while AI often dominates the headlines, the real story is about people and ecosystems. The companies that succeed over the next decade won't do it alone-they'll do it by building stronger partnerships.
That's why I'm excited to be joining business leaders, investors, technology innovators, and partnership professionals in New York City in late August.
Whether you're a founder, technology executive, investor, or enterprise leader, Catalyst offers an opportunity to step away from day-to-day operations and have the conversations that will define what's next.
What to expect at Catalyst 2026
Unlike traditional technology conferences that focus primarily on products or sales, Catalyst brings together the people responsible for driving business growth through collaboration. The audience spans technology companies, enterprise organisations, venture capital and private equity firms, cloud providers, systems integrators, and the partnership professionals connecting them. Bringing these groups together creates an environment where conversations extend beyond individual products and explore how organisations can work together to solve shared business challenges.
This year's agenda is expected to focus on some of the biggest forces shaping the technology industry, including AI, evolving go-to-market strategies, ecosystem-led growth, partner technology, and the changing relationship between investors, software vendors, and enterprise buyers. Rather than discussing these trends in isolation, Catalyst examines how they intersect and what they mean for businesses looking to grow.
For anyone responsible for partnerships, business development, strategy, or innovation, Catalyst is one of the few events where partnerships are treated as a strategic growth engine rather than simply another sales channel. That's what makes it such a valuable event year after year.
Introduction to Catalyst 2026
Business partnerships have evolved dramatically over the past few years. Historically, partnerships often centred around referral agreements, reseller programmes, marketing funds, or implementation support. Those models still exist-but they're no longer enough.
Today, AI is compressing adoption cycles, reducing barriers to entry, and creating entirely new categories of software almost overnight. At the same time, customers expect technology vendors to deliver complete solutions rather than isolated products.
That means successful partnerships must become more strategic, measurable, and outcome-driven. Catalyst brings together the organisations leading this transformation, making it an ideal place to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and learn from companies building the next generation of business ecosystems.
Catalyst 2026 Agenda
One of the things I appreciate most about Catalyst is that the agenda reflects what's happening in the market today-not what was relevant a few years ago. Across two days, attendees can choose from keynote presentations, practitioner-led stage sessions, interactive Power Circles, networking events, and Partnership Leaders Elevate Certifications. The content is organised around six core themes: Ecosystem Strategy, AI in Partnerships, Path to CPO, Solution Partnerships, Channel Partnerships, Product Partnerships, and Marketplaces.
Rather than focusing solely on theory, the sessions are designed to share practical frameworks, real customer stories, and strategies that partnership, business development, and go-to-market leaders can apply immediately. Whether you're exploring AI's impact on partner programmes, building an ecosystem strategy, strengthening channel relationships, or learning how marketplaces are changing software distribution, there's something relevant for every stage of your organisation's growth.
I'll be involved in a panel titled “The Old Partnership Playbook Is Dead: How AI Is Rewiring VC, PE, and Enterprise Ecosystems.” Together with leaders from across the technology and investment community, we'll discuss how AI is changing the way startups, investors, enterprise customers, hyperscalers, systems integrators, and software vendors work together.
Our conversation will explore why traditional partnership models are giving way to ecosystem-led growth, how venture capital and private equity firms are becoming strategic connectors across their portfolios, and what organisations can do to build partnerships that deliver measurable business outcomes. If you're interested in the future of enterprise technology, AI adoption, and ecosystem strategy, I hope you'll join us.
Things to do around Catalyst 2026
One of the advantages of attending Catalyst is its location. New York City has always been a place where business, technology, finance, and innovation intersect.
If you're travelling to the event, it's worth extending your stay to explore some of what the city has to offer between sessions.
A few recommendations include:
- Walk the Brooklyn Bridge and take in panoramic views of Manhattan and the East River.
- Visit Brooklyn Bridge Park, just a short walk from the hotel, for waterfront views and a chance to recharge between meetings.
- Explore DUMBO, known for its cafés, restaurants, boutique shops, and iconic Manhattan Bridge photo spot.
- Discover Brooklyn Heights, where tree-lined streets, the Promenade, and local restaurants make it a great place for networking over lunch or dinner.
- Head into Manhattan, just one subway stop away, to visit landmarks like Wall Street, One World Trade Center, or SoHo.
- Catch up with partners over dinner or drinks at one of the many restaurants and rooftop bars in Downtown Brooklyn.
How to get to Catalyst 2026
Catalyst 2026 will take place at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, located at 333 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201. The hotel sits in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn, just minutes from Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, and the Brooklyn Bridge, with excellent public transport connections to Manhattan and New York's major airports.
If you're flying in, LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is the closest airport, approximately 10 miles away, while John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) are both within a 30-60 minute journey, depending on traffic. Taxis and rideshare services are readily available from all three airports.
For those using public transportation, the hotel is just steps from the Jay Street-MetroTech subway station, served by the A, C, F, and R lines. It's also within a short walk of Borough Hall, where you can access the 2, 3, 4, and 5 trains. If you're staying in Manhattan, you can reach the venue in as little as 15-20 minutes by subway. Guests arriving by train can take the subway from Penn Station or Grand Central Terminal, making the hotel easy to reach without renting a car.
If you're driving, on-site parking is available at the hotel, although spaces are limited and parking fees apply. Given New York City's traffic, I'd recommend public transportation whenever possible-it's often the fastest and most convenient way to get to the conference.
Meet me at Catalyst 2026
Some of the most valuable moments at conferences don't happen on stage, they happen in the conversations between sessions, over coffee, or after a panel has wrapped up. Those are the discussions where ideas are challenged, experiences are shared, and new partnerships often begin.
If you're planning to attend Catalyst, I'd love the opportunity to connect. Whether you're exploring how AI is changing enterprise software, thinking about the future of ERP, looking to build stronger technology partnerships, or simply interested in exchanging perspectives on where business is headed, I always enjoy meeting people who are asking big questions and looking for practical ways to solve them.
I'll be speaking on “The Old Partnership Playbook Is Dead: How AI Is Rewiring VC, PE, and Enterprise Ecosystems,” but I'm just as excited about the conversations that happen before and after the session. Catalyst brings together an incredible mix of founders, investors, technology leaders, enterprise executives, and partnership professionals, creating the perfect environment to learn from one another.
If you haven't registered yet, you can save 15% on your conference pass by using the code C26-PRIORITYSOFTWARE-15 during registration.
If you'll be in New York, feel free to stop by after the session or reach out ahead of time to schedule a meeting. I'd be happy to talk about the changing role of AI, the importance of ecosystem-led growth, or how organisations can build partnerships that deliver measurable business value.
I believe the next generation of business success will come from companies that combine innovation with collaboration. Catalyst is one of the best places to have those conversations, and I'm looking forward to seeing where they lead.
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