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Energy Ventures
Dartmouth's Irving Institute proudly presents Energy Ventures, a comprehensive concept-to-market venture-building experience designed to empower the next generation of energy and climate entrepreneurs. This entrepreneurship development program offers a systematic approach and methodology for all innovators — from students to researchers — to build and launch world-improving solutions and ventures.
Who is invited?
Energy Ventures is open to anyone in the current Dartmouth community with the curiosity, drive, or ambition to build solutions that advance energy and society — whether you're an undergraduate, graduate student, researcher, postdoc, or faculty member.
No experience required. No polished idea needed.
Have a venture idea already? Bring it — we'll help you refine, validate, and accelerate it.
Exploring entrepreneurship for the first time? We'll give you a clear, structured path to learn, contribute, and build.
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If you're coming with an existing team, fantastic.
If you're coming solo, equally fantastic — we'll help match you with a team aligned to your interests and skills.
Schedule and Registration
Program kick-off
Tuesday, January 13, 2026 | 6:30-8 pm
Third floor, Murdough in MEM space (Accessible from the second floor of the Irving Institute)
Winter & Spring '26 Terms
Weekly in-person modules and lectures will be held on the Dartmouth campus.
Summer '26 Term
Successful teams will have an opportunity for paid Summer Venture-Build Internships.
Register for Energy Ventures
Dartmouth login required
Program Goal & Approach
Energy Ventures exists to equip you with the mindset, knowledge, and skills to systematically build, test, and launch business ventures capable of transforming the energy and climate landscape.
Our approach is grounded in proven entrepreneurial principles with real-world execution. You'll learn by doing — inside a community built to support bold ideas and ambitious builders.
To achieve that, we provide:
- Home base and community: A "place to go" - a collaborative, cross-disciplinary environment where you can test concepts, challenge assumptions, access cross-disciplinary talent, and build alongside peers who push your thinking and support your progress.
- A rigorous, applied curriculum: A disciplined, end-to-end process for venture creation. You'll learn the methodology, tools, and techniques required to systematically identify real opportunities, validate customer needs, prototype solutions, design sustainable business models, and begin scaling with confidence.
- Coaching from real builders: Dedicated, hands-on support from experienced entrepreneurs, product builders, designers, engineers, and investors who know what it takes to refine, test, and launch commercially viable innovations.
Program Structure & Progression
Energy Ventures covers the entire venture creation process – from generating and refining ideas to building viable products, services, and scalable business ventures.
I. Foundations - Winter & Spring 2026 Terms
A two-term experience designed to build your entrepreneurial foundations and momentum.
- Focus: Develop the mindset, knowledge, and skills and tactics essential for early-stage venture creation. Learn foundational methods, tools, and techniques — and immediately apply them to your venture.
- Activities: Weekly training modules, hands-on workshops, expert coaching, and dedicated mentorship.
II. Summer Accelerator (Summer 2026 Term)
A full-time, immersive accelerator designed to rapidly advance the most promising teams.
- Purpose: Fast-track venture through deep customer discovery, rapid prototyping, and business model refinement.
- Incentive: Teams selected for this phase receive paid internships to work on their ventures full-time.
- Activities: Continued weekly training, high-frequency workshops, tailored coaching, and close mentorship from industry experts.
Program Education, Training, and Mentorship
Energy Ventures is led by Josh Creamer, Head of Entrepreneurship at the Irving Institute, alongside other seasoned product builders, designers, engineers, and investors. This group brings deep, real-world venture-building expertise — ensuring every participant is guided by practitioners who have built, launched, and scaled successful ventures.
Participants also gain access to an exceptional network of mentors—leaders who have founded companies, shaped industries, and turned bold ideas into impact. These mentors will provide hands-on coaching, strategic guidance, and real-world perspective throughout the journey. This network surrounds participants with the expertise, credibility, and support needed to accelerate your ventures.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you don't see an answer to your question below, please reach out to us at Energy.Ventures@dartmouth.edu.
Is there a cost for the program?
No, there is no cost to participate in Energy Ventures.
Will modules and lectures be online or in person?
The modules and lectures will be in person for all participants. There will be weekly sessions.
Can alumni participate?
Alumni can participate on a team, as long as there is at least one current Dartmouth student, postdoc, faculty or staff member on the team as well. The alumni will also need to attend the weekly sessions in person, as a large component of this program is team-building. This is best done in person!