For the past five years, Catalyze has supported innovators across the country working to connect learning with opportunity. At SXSW EDU 2026, we were excited to bring that community together in Austin — sharing lessons, sparking new partnerships, and learning alongside educators, employers, and practitioners building the future of career-connected learning (CCL).

As the Catalyze team heads to SXSW EDU next week, we’re carrying a set of questions rooted in career-connected learning – particularly how we move from early curiosity to meaningful exposure to real opportunity.

Insights from the 2025 Impact Report.

Today, the Catalyze Challenge announced the launch of Round 5, a multi-phase national funding opportunity designed to support bold, early-stage ideas that help young people explore careers, build real-world skills, and discover their purpose. With $4 million in grants and awards, Round 5 aims to expand access to high-quality career-connected learning (CCL) pathways in communities across the country.

SXSW EDU is an opportunity for our Catalyze community to  take the stage and share their groundbreaking work and innovative programs with the broader community.

Catalyze Round Four grantees gathered in New Orleans to kick off their journey with the Catalyze Community of Practice. Read on to learn how these organizations are leveraging their proven impact to scale innovative CCL models fueled by learning, cross-sector collaboration, and a commitment to meaningful learner outcomes.

Catalyze today announced the winners of Round Four of the Catalyze Challenge. In total, four organizations will receive $3.5 million to expand career-connected learning (CCL) opportunities and support meaningful outcomes for learners aged 11-22.

At SXSW EDU 2025, the Catalyze community hosted a standing-room-only workshop—underscoring the growing demand for expanding access to CCL for all learners. Through interactive exercises, participants explored practical, learner-centered strategies that support middle and high school students to build agency to chart their own career paths.

What was the biggest takeaway from Catalyze at SXSW EDU 2025? Careers aren’t linear, and neither is learning. Career-Connected Learning (CCL) provides the roadmap that empowers all learners to design their own journeys.