A catch-44 is a situation where funding and support is said to be available from government bodies however defining eligibility for the funding and how to properly articulate the application restricts access by those that most require it.
The term was coined by Hayden Stowell in 2015 in his frustration to establish eligibility for research and development funding from Callaghan Innovation, a Crown entity of New Zealand with the task of making New Zealand business more innovative.
This dilemma further exasperated the fast growing indigenous māori tech start-up community with other Crown entities following suit with confusing and poorly articulated application questionnaires combined with frustratingly inefficient systems to qualify and process submitted applications.
Although conceived in jest based on the paradoxical Catch 22 phrase, the seriousness and frequency of similar dilemma’s saw the phrase become widely adopted in other parts of the world. Catch 44 is now a widely used phrase to describe any situation where funding or valuable contracts have been promoted by either the government or public sectors, however securing them seems virtually un-achievable to all but a very select few for the reasons mentioned above.
The term was coined by Hayden Stowell in 2015 in his frustration to establish eligibility for research and development funding from Callaghan Innovation, a Crown entity of New Zealand with the task of making New Zealand business more innovative.
This dilemma further exasperated the fast growing indigenous māori tech start-up community with other Crown entities following suit with confusing and poorly articulated application questionnaires combined with frustratingly inefficient systems to qualify and process submitted applications.
Although conceived in jest based on the paradoxical Catch 22 phrase, the seriousness and frequency of similar dilemma’s saw the phrase become widely adopted in other parts of the world. Catch 44 is now a widely used phrase to describe any situation where funding or valuable contracts have been promoted by either the government or public sectors, however securing them seems virtually un-achievable to all but a very select few for the reasons mentioned above.
"The state government constantly says how there is significant funding available for projects such as ours. The catch 44 is that it is virtually impossible to secure due to how complicated the application process is."
by Liddle_Razkal July 16, 2018
Get the Catch 44 mug.A group of femboys who on the down low get turnt by the za and end sloppying the opps, as a ritual sacrifice for the deep dark king elakiayan ramanan, then after proceeding to take advanatge of an elakiyan statue they dance and goon as a group. A fun fact, is that they also use elakiyans hair particle to clean their cocaine stains off the marble tables in their trap home located on norman ross another fun they contribued to george floyd movement by recreating the scene on elakiyan for sexual defiance against white superemacy to show their the ones with the big ones them, not them.
Also shoutout to the photographer who took their gang photo, youre the best
Also shoutout to the photographer who took their gang photo, youre the best
*shaking it like its hot*
Person: Yo that guys bussing it down like its hot! He must be affiliated with 44 gang.
Person: Yo that guys bussing it down like its hot! He must be affiliated with 44 gang.
by the good doer August 19, 2025
Get the 44 gang mug.by AsquaredHS September 19, 2022
Get the Throw-44 mug.Detroit Northwest Blood-affiliated set from W. Eight Mile & Santa Barbara. Offshoot of 1980s Skoni Boyz, tied to Mafia Insane Vice Lords and Headbanger Bloods. Closely linked to 44 Trey Mafia; known for musical rep through rapper Rocaine.
“44 Skoni Skams run the Barb, repping 8 Mile roots, Blood ties, and making waves in Detroit rap with Rocaine leading the sound.”—8 Mile local
by RealTalkOnlyFool October 10, 2025
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a reference to rupauls drag race when someone dresses up as glinda and says it, referencing their bust, waist, and hips
"40 20 44... thats what makes me popular
by mapledbacon May 6, 2025
Get the 40 20 44 mug.by Stanley urnail June 9, 2021
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