Throughout history, great voyages have reshaped the world. Charles Darwin’s journey aboard the HMS Beagle transformed the course of science, while Columbus’s Santa Maria redrew the map of civilisation. In October 2025, CATALYST-1 will set sail from Mumbai with a mission of its own — to make history by inspiring and empowering the next generation of entrepreneurial success stories.
The voyage will be led by five visionary leaders — four experienced businessmen and one distinguished medical specialist. Together, they will share their knowledge, insights, and expertise with aspiring entrepreneurs on board. What makes this initiative even more remarkable is that it comes at no cost. Travel, accommodation, and guidance are all offered free of charge to those who are chosen to participate.
The Scale Up project, launched by Perinthalmanna MLA Najeeb Kanthapuram, has sparked remarkable entrepreneurial energy in Malabar, particularly across Malappuram and Kozhikode districts. I have witnessed this firsthand in the stream of young people and fresh ideas that have come to me in recent months.
Among them was Irfan, an innovator from Tirur, who envisioned a solution that could cut traffic congestion on public roads to just a third of current levels. When he came seeking guidance to shape his concept into a viable business model, the conversation revealed something far greater: Irfan was not alone. He was part of a growing wave of dreamers, eager and ready to take their first steps into the world of business.
It was from such encounters that the CATALYST-1 mission was born — a response to the realisation that countless transformative ideas could reshape society if only given the right platform, guidance, and opportunity.
Statistics reveal that business has one of the lowest success rates in India. In fact, fewer people manage to build a successful enterprise than those who clear the IAS exam. Yet, those who do succeed form the backbone of our nation’s economy. With its symbolic voyage, CATALYST-1 aims to turn vision into action, and dreams into enterprises. If successful, this journey could mark the beginning of a new chapter in India’s entrepreneurial story.
The five leaders guiding CATALYST-1 have each travelled extensively across the world. They believe those journeys have played a decisive role in shaping their personal and professional achievements. The CATALYST-1 mission, therefore, is not simply about sailing across the sea. It is about broadening perspectives, gaining fresh insights, and drawing inspiration that goes far beyond the scenic beauty of the voyage itself.
The two-day cruise will set sail in mid-October. Participation is open to anyone with the dream of becoming an entrepreneur, regardless of background or prior business experience. With the entire programme offered free of charge, CATALYST-1 represents an unparalleled opportunity to learn directly from visionary leaders.
Nabeel Darussaalam
Chairman of Frametech Steels, Nabeel Darussaalam began his career as a software engineer before venturing into business with a novel alternative to conventional construction methods. On board CATALYST-1, he will guide participants on how to harness relationships and networking for business success.
Ashar Mouzy
Founder of the fast-growing Mouzy avil milk brand, Ashar Mouzy has built a reputation as a dynamic entrepreneur in the food and beverage industry. He will share his insights on branding and marketing strategies, offering participants valuable lessons from his journey of building a household name.
Dr Vishnu Vasudevan
A leading endocrinologist in Kerala and a social media influencer with over two lakh followers, Dr Vishnu Vasudevan brings a unique perspective on personal branding. His session will focus on how to stand out and survive in a highly competitive market by creating a distinct professional identity.
Dr Mueen Hudawi
Founder and CEO of Zaithoon International Schools, Dr Mueen Hudawi also serves as President of the Residential Schools Association of India (RSAI). He will share his wisdom on how to merge entrepreneurial vision with business ideas that can be sustained across generations, and on achieving global standards in business.
Muhammad Zameel
CEO of Profinz Perinthalmanna Campus, which secured the top rank in the last IEA AIEEA examination, Muhammad Zameel is both a business and education consultant. As part of CATALYST-1, he will mentor participants on efficiently managing finance and accounts, including personal finance alongside business finances.
For more details or to apply, interested candidates can contact 88912 40198.
(The author, Saifudheen M. V., is the founder and CEO of the personal branding company The Growth Companion)
This article was published in the September 30 issue of Dhanam magazine.