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.
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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.
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Amaya Carina Steensma Tedder
MA student, Strategic Design and Entrepreneurship, CBS and the Royal Danish Academy
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INNOVATOR IN COHORT #1
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Save the Dates
DISCOVERY PHASE
1. DISCOVER THE PROGRAM
INTRODUCTORY SESSION
Thursday, September 30, 2025 at 4 PM - 5.30 PM
Online session
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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. ​​
3. DISCOVER SUSTAINABILITY
Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 5 PM - 8 PM
Meet in person: Copenhagen and Aarhus
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Deep dive into sustainability concepts in a startup context.
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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​
5. DISOVER THE IDEAL STARTUP TEAM
Friday, November 14, 2025 at 9 AM - 12 PM
Meet in person: Aarhus and Copenhagen
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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. ​
2. DISCOVER THE FUTURE OF WATER
Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 11 AM - 4 PM
Meet in person: Aarhus
A full-day workshop designed to immerse you in the world of cutting-edge water research and real industry challenges. This session marks the true beginning of your journey as a Deep Green Innovator.
We’ll keep you energized with delicious vegetarian meals, plenty of coffee, and an array of snacks to fuel your creativity. ​
4. DISCOVER YOUR PEERS
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at 4 PM - 6 PM
Online session
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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.​​
6. DISCOVER YOUR RIPPLE EFFECT
10-HOUR HACKATHON
Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 10 AM - 8 PM
Meet in person: Copenhagen
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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.
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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!​​
7. FINALIZING TEAM AND THEME
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 4 PM - 6 PM
Meet in person: Aarhus and Copenhagen
Now is the time to consolidate the team that you want to work with going forward. You apply as a team to advance to the Incubation Phase.​
INCUBATION PHASE
INCUBATION IN THE HUBS
January, 2026 - April 2026
- working in teams in-person and online
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After the Incubation Kick-off you enter the Incubation Phase. 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, January 10 - Sunday, January 11, 2026
Meet in person: Middelfart​​​
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Two days of ideation and teambuilding at Brogaarden, Middelfart.
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Food and accommodation is covered by the program. You need to pay for transportation to Middelfart yourself.
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You will gain more inspiration and get to know your new team mates and their ideas even better.
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Mandatory kickoff weekend for the final teams
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.
Can I participate in the entire program online? No. You need to participate physically for the 'meet in person' sessions in both Copenhagen and Aarhus. If your team advances to the Incubation Phase, it is also mandatory to be physically present for the Incubation Kickoff in Middelfart.
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 food during the workshops are covered by the program. However, you need to pay for transportation to the physical venues and sleeping accommodation yourself. If your team advances to the Incubation Phase, accommodation is covered during the two-day Incubation Kickoff. 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 #3 is running in the Fall of 2025 with applications opening in June 2025.
Will you cover my travel expenses? No, the program does not cover travel expenses for the physical meet-ups.
