Channel Tools Collaborates with Digital Skills Innovation to Launch the Catalyst AI Hub – Accelerating Student-Driven AI Innovation for Enterprise

Channel Tools is pleased to announce its collaboration with Digital Skills Innovation (DS Innovations) to launch the Catalyst AI Hub, an initiative designed to accelerate the development of AI solutions by connecting industry challenges with the next generation of AI talent.

Catalyst AI Hub is a student-led Proof-of-Concept (PoC) accelerator, providing organisations with access to short-term AI and ML projects delivered by skilled students, guided by experienced industry professionals. The initiative supports a broad range of AI domains including natural language processing, computer vision, predictive analytics, deep learning.

The Catalyst AI Hub model allows companies to submit real-world AI use cases, which are then scoped into 1–6 week PoC projects. Students work on these challenges in close collaboration with technical mentors, ensuring both academic value and commercial impact. The result is a cost-effective, agile, and scalable route to AI prototyping.

Kewal Gupta, CEO at Channel Tools, commented “This collaboration with DSI Innovations reflects our commitment to nurturing practical AI. The Catalyst AI Hub gives organisations a unique opportunity to test ideas quickly and affordably; while helping students build the experience they need to thrive in AI roles.”

Abraham Mauleon, Director at Digital Skills Innovation said: “We’re excited to launch this new collaboration between Channel Tools and DS Innovation as it is an important endeavour to offer affordable AI solutions to organisations while giving emerging talent the opportunity to work on real-world challenges. Our expert-led AI proof-of-concept projects are flexible and bespoke, allowing companies to prototype and test new ideas quickly.”

Through this partnership, Channel Tools brings its commercial and technical expertise to ensure Catalyst AI Hub projects are aligned to enterprise requirements, while DS Innovation provides access to a growing pool of talented, trained students ready to solve meaningful AI problems.

Organisations and universities interested in participating can find out more at: https://channel-partnerships.com/portfolio/catalyst-ai-hub/

About Channel Tools

Channel Tools is a leading technology company helping businesses drive new revenues through the use of emerging and disruptive technologies and services. Through strategic partnerships, Channel Tools supports go-to-market strategies, enabling scale, reach, and growth across a broad portfolio of technology solutions. In addition, Channel Tools provides comprehensive marketing services. For further information, visit www.channel-partnerships.com.

About Digital Skills Innovation

DS Innovation is a UK-based consultancy specialising in the practical application of AI and machine learning to solve real-world business challenges. What sets us apart is our unique delivery model: we combine cutting-edge student talent with academic expertise to deliver professionally managed AI proof-of-concept (PoC) projects at a fraction of the typical cost. This approach enables organisations to explore innovative ideas quickly and cost-effectively –  laying the groundwork for full-scale commercial deployment when ready. Whether supporting internal innovation teams or leading end-to-end delivery, DS Innovation is committed to making advanced technology accessible, impactful, and scalable. For further information, visit https://dsinnovation.co.uk/