In the modern landscape of education and entrepreneurship, the “blank page syndrome” is a frequent barrier to progress. Whether you are a student trying to solve a community issue or a startup founder hunting for a “unicorn” idea, the hardest part is often the beginning. Enter Catapult Cards, a sophisticated yet accessible toolkit designed to bypass creative ruts and accelerate the journey from problem to solution.

Created by Nicole Dyson, the founder of Future Anything, Catapult Cards are grounded in the principles of design thinking. Unlike traditional brainstorming, which can often feel aimless, these decks provide structured constraints. Research 99formed shows that the human brain actually becomes more innovative when given specific parameters to work within. By providing curated prompts, these cards act as a cognitive “jumpstart,” forcing the mind to make unexpected connections.

The two flagship products in the series—the 99 Problems Deck and the 99 Ideas Deck—work in tandem to cover the full spectrum of innovation.

• The 99 Problems Deck: This deck shifts the focus away from “what can I build?” to “what needs fixing?” It features 74 diverse problem prompts that highlight real-world challenges. This “problem-first” mentality is crucial in the startup world, ensuring that creators build things people actually need rather than products looking for a purpose.
• The 99 Ideas Deck: Once a problem is identified, this deck provides 74 product and solution prompts. It challenges users to think about different delivery mechanisms, business models, and creative executions.

Both decks also include 25 re-writable cards, allowing teams to customize the experience and integrate their own localized challenges or niche industry insights.

While Catapult Cards have gained significant traction in educational settings—helping young creators launch micro-businesses—their utility extends far into the corporate sector. Design agencies use them to shake up stale client workshops, and solo entrepreneurs use them as a “digital-free” way to iterate on side hustles.

The physical nature of the cards is a deliberate choice. In an era of screen fatigue, the tactile experience of drawing a card, passing it to a teammate, and sketching ideas on a whiteboard fosters a level of collaborative energy that software rarely replicates.

Beyond being a tool, Catapult Cards represent a social mission. With 50% of profits supporting youth-led startups, purchasing a deck is an investment in the next generation of innovators. Priced at approximately AUD 59.00 individually or AUD 89.00 as a bundle, they offer a high-value, low-cost entry point for anyone serious about mastering the art of the “pivot” and the “pitch.”

In a world that is changing faster than ever, the ability to generate ideas quickly and effectively isn’t just a skill—it’s a necessity. Catapult Cards provide the framework; you provide the imagination.

Would you like me to look for video tutorials on how to use these cards in a workshop setting, or perhaps find alternative ideation tools for comparison?