Applications for the program are now closed.
John Akinboyewa, 2025 Alum
Equipping underserved entrepreneurs across the Denver metro with sustainability-focused training, expert-led workshops, and a powerful network to scale their environmental products and services.
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The Program Offers
The Environmental Sustainability Entrepreneurship Program empowers impact-driven, underserved entrepreneurs who are creating environmental products and services. Through this no cost program, we support both nonprofit and for-profit entrepreneurs in the across the Denver metro area. The comprehensive program provides expert-led training, dedicated mentorship, and long-term Alumni support to impact-driven entrepreneurs.
Business & Leadership Workshops
Participate in 16 weeks of entrepreneurship and leadership training led by practitioners with deep expertise in the sustainability field, including Impact Series workshops with leading thought leaders and experts.
Financial Tools & Resources
Access practical financial tools, frameworks, and workshops designed to strengthen your venture’s financial foundation. Benefit from the expertise of practitioners and Watson Institute’s broader network of specialists supporting entrepreneurs at every stage.
Experts You Will Learn From
We recruit thought leaders and entrepreneurs with the specific expertise needed to best serve you. They are brought on to share their insights, facilitate workshops, and provide 1-on-1 guidance. Preceptors from previous cohorts include:
Molly Ganley
Strategy, Culture | The Nature Conservancy
Ramsay Huntley
Innovation, Strategy, & Sustainability Leader | Aspen First Movers Fellow | ex-Wells Fargo
Esther Zeledon
Best Selling Author|Facilitator |Speaker| Career, Entrepreneurship (Pitch)
Don't take our word for it, take theirs!
Meet The Alumni
Healing in Bloom promotes environmental sustainability through hands-on wellness experiences that support underserved communities by hosting community events at Colorado lavender farms where participants learn about pollinator-friendly agriculture’s role in promoting environmental sustainability, harvest organic lavender, create personalized skincare using sustainable ingredients and engage in community-led mental and environmental wellness practices. To date, they have sold over 1,400 units of eco-conscious skincare, facilitated wellness workshops for over 275 people, and secured $31,000+ in grant funding.
Osprey Labs is a clean technology promoting environmental sustainability by developing a breakthrough aluminum-based fuel cell to power heavier transportation with energy storage that is 20 times lighter than traditional batteries. Electrification of all transportation is key to building a sustainable future, however existing battery technology is incapable of providing the lightweight energy storage needed for heavier transportation beyond passenger vehicles. Osprey Labs is developing a new kind of clean energy fuel cell that runs off the most abundant metal on Earth – aluminum – which will advance environmental sustainability by enabling the electrification of heavy duty transportation
Amihan Artisans advances environmental sustainability across Denver (and statewide) by up-cycling juice packaging into bags and accessories that are sold in farmers market across Colorado. They have raised over $44,000 and received a United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) trademark. Sheila has been awarded the JEFFCO Sustainability Resident Award and the City of Golden Sustainability Award. She is currently an MBA candidate at CU Denver where she was featured in the Business School Newsroom and participated in the EU Enterprise Sustainability Program, championing environmental sustainability through entrepreneurship.
Watson Institute wishes to thank the JPMorganChase Foundation for its philanthropic support of the Environmental Sustainability Entrepreneurship Program.
The Environmental Sustainability Entrepreneurship Program empowers impact-driven, underserved entrepreneurs who are creating environmental products and services. Through this no cost program, we support both nonprofit and for-profit entrepreneurs in the Denver metro area. The comprehensive program provides training, dedicated mentorship, and sustained support to impact-driven entrepreneurs.
This program is fully-funded through the generous support of JPMorganChase Foundation.
