What is Deep Green Innovators?
Deep Green Innovators is a three-year pilot project consisting of five cohorts, each running a six-month innovation program.
Deep Green Innovators is a collaboration between Aarhus University, Aalborg University and Copenhagen Business School. The program is funded by The Danish Industry Foundation.
Who can participate?
We are looking for brilliant minds with the dedication and motivation needed to create change-making startups in the field of the green transition.
We are looking for the following profiles to participate:
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Entrepreneurs looking for their next startup adventure
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Students deeply committed to green tech, sustainability or entrepreneurship
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Green tech or sustainability professionals who want to dive into entrepreneurship and gain inspiration from innovative research
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Professionals who are looking for their next career path and curious about sustainability and green tech
Why join?
Collaborate: Work with driven and ambitious peers from diverse backgrounds.
Transform Ideas: Develop startup concepts addressing sustainability challenges.
Expert Guidance: Learn from experienced business developers and academics.
Remarkable Research: Gain inspiration from the latest research in a broad range of fields related to the green transition.
8,4 out of 10
of previous Innovators would recommend their friends to apply for Deep Green Innovators.
MEET THE
INNOVATORS
Being supported by a program and engaging with people that share similar values is a unique opportunity to participate in creating an outcome which has deeper impact.
Amaya Carina Steensma Tedder
MA student, Strategic Design and Entrepreneurship, CBS and the Royal Danish Academy
INNOVATOR IN COHORT #1
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Save the Dates
DISCOVERY PHASE
1. DISCOVER THE PROGRAM
INTRODUCTORY SESSION
Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 4 PM - 5.30 PM
Online session
Welcome to Deep Green Innovators! Meet your fellow Innovators and begin building connections with your cohort.
Learn about the program structure, key milestones, and what to expect in the months ahead.
Mandatory session
3. DISOVER THE IDEAL STARTUP TEAM
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 5 PM - 8 PM
Meet in person: Aarhus and Copenhagen
Building a sucessful startup team - defining skillsets and roles
Explore the key roles needed to drive a startup forward.
Identify your strengths and how they contribute to the team dynamic.
Learn strategies for building trust and fostering collaboration.
Voluntary session
5. DISCOVER SUSTAINABILITY
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 9 AM - 12 noon
Meet in person: Copenhagen and Aarhus
Deep dive into sustainability concepts in a startup context.
What frameworks and concepts do you need to know? How do you create the best possible foundation for a startup that contributes to the green transition
Voluntary session
2. DISCOVER SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
10-HOUR HACKATHON
Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 10 AM - 8 PM
Meet in person: Copenhagen
Bring all your creativity and entrepreneurial spirit to this 10-hour hackathon in Copenhagen. You’ll dive headfirst into the latest trends in sustainable energy research and explore opportunities to address key industry needs. By the end of the day, you’ll leave with fresh insights, innovative ideas, and valuable connections with your fellow Innovators.
We’ll keep you energized with delicious vegetarian meals, plenty of coffee, and an array of snacks to fuel your creativity. Get ready for an inspiring and productive session!
Mandatory session
4. DISCOVER YOUR PEERS
Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 4 PM - 6 PM
Online session
Who are the other Innovators? Who do you connect with professionally? We will guide you through a number of fun and insightful rounds of professional co-founder speeddating.
Mandatory session
6. FINALIZING TEAM AND THEME
Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 11 AM - 4 PM
Meet in person: Aarhus
We meet up in Aarhus, The Kitchen.
There will be plenty of vegetarian food and coffee to keep you energized while you find your startup team.
Mandatory session
TEAM SELECTION
FINAL TEAMS ARE SELECTED
By the end of May
After the Discovery Sessions you apply to join the Incubation Phase of Deep Green Innovators with the startup team that you have found in the Program.
Teams are finalized by the end of May.
INCUBATION PHASE
INCUBATION IN THE HUBS
June, 2025 - September, 2025 - working in teams in-person and online
After the Incubation Kick-off you enter 4 months of incubation. This is where your ideas take flight. Work closely with your team and mentors to develop your startup concept and test it in the real world.
As a participant, you’ll be affiliated with one of the innovation hubs in the program, depending on your location and team (Copenhagen, Aarhus or Aalborg).
INCUBATION KICKOFF
Saturday, June 14 at 10.30 AM - Sunday, June 15 at 5 PM, 2025 - meet in person
Two days of ideation and teambuilding in a central location in Denmark.
You will gain more inspiration and get to know your new team mates and their ideas even better.
Mandatory kickoff weekend for the final teams
Ready to shape the future of sustainability?
Are you interested in learning about future cohorts of the Deep Green Innovators Program? Or do you have any questions about the program? Write your details and we will reach out to you.
FAQ
Who can apply to the program? Anyone can apply, no formal requirements are needed. However, to be considered eligible for participating we need to be sure, that you are motivated to commit fully to the program and have interest in creating and working on a start-up.
Who will be admitted to the program? Innovators are invited to participate in the Deep Green Innovators Program based on the following criteria: experience with entrepreneurship and sustainability, motivation and commitment to create a start-up, collaborative skills, technical knowledge and experience.
Is this a case challenge? No. Deep Green Innovators is not a case challenge. It is an innovation program where the outcome is creating new startups.
When will I know if I have secured a spot in the program? Shortly after the application deadline, you will know if you are considered eligible for participation in the initial Discovery sessions. At the end of the Discovery sessions, the final teams will be created.
Does it cost anything for me to participate? No, there is no participation fee, and all accommodation during the workshops are covered by the program. However, you need to pay for transportation to the physical venues yourself. The program is funded by the Danish Industry Foundation.
Do I have to live in Denmark? Yes, you have to be based in Denmark to participate in the program, since we have several physical meet-ups in different locations in Denmark.
Do I have to be connected to Aarhus University, CBS or Aalborg in order to participate? No, there are no requirements to be connected to any educational institutions.
Will I work alone or together with other people? You will be a part of a team working together to create a start-up.
When is the next cohort? Cohort #2 is running from March, 2025 - September, 2025. Application deadline: March 9, 2025. Cohort #3 is running in the Fall of 2025 with applications opening in September 2025.
