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Dartmouth Innovation Accelerator for Engineering (DIAEn)

The Dartmouth Innovation Accelerator for Engineering (DIAEn) empowers faculty and students with resources, support, and training to translate groundbreaking research into real-world solutions that improve lives and address our world's most critical challenges.

Applications will be accepted through Feb. 15, 2026.

Join the inaugural cohort!

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Why Join the Accelerator?
How to Apply
Key Program Dates
About the Accelerator
Contacts

Apply Now for the Winter 2026 Cohort

Why Join the Accelerator?

At Dartmouth, engineering and impact go hand in hand. DIAEn, a partnership between Thayer School of Engineering and Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship, aims to bridge the gap between research and entrepreneurship and help accelerate the pace that early-stage innovations move from lab to market—and into the hands of people who need them most. DIAEn teams have access to funding and additional resources, including:

Mentoring and Guidance

Gain insights and expert feedback from successful Dartmouth alumni founders and industry leaders.

Entrepreneurial Training

Learn critical and practical skills that position you for a successful future in startups.

Pitch Preparedness

Practice at demo events where you'll communicate your innovation to potential investors.

How to Apply

Your innovation—whether it tackles climate, health, energy, or another challenge—must have a strong engineering foundation.

Teams are eligible if they are:

Experienced and/or interested in start-up businesses.
Working on a technology that could become product within 5–10 years.
Led by Thayer School of Engineering faculty (other team members may be from outside of Thayer).
Able to participate in all sessions, with at least two team members attending each event.

To Apply

Submit a "napkin sketch," a brief project description, and team member names by the deadline. Don't wait! Space is limited.

Submit Your Application

Application Deadline

Sun, Feb 15, 2026

Questions?

Please contact Angela Presley.

Key Program Dates

Application Period

Applications accepted through Sun, Feb 15, 2026

Kickoff Workshop

Fri & Sat, Feb 27 & 28, 2026

Educational Program

March 23–April 27, 2026

Demo & Pitch Competition

Mon, May 18, 2026

Award Period

June 1, 2026–May 31, 2027

Professor Katie Hixon smiles at a graduate student. Both are wearing white lab coats and working on research in her lab. — Professor Katie Hixon, 2023 recipient of a Dartmouth Innovation Accelerator for Cancer award, is developing novel tissue engineering methods that promote bone regrowth after tumor resection.

About the Accelerator

The Dartmouth Innovation Accelerator for Engineering (DIAEn) is one of several innovation accelerators aimed at helping researchers commercialize innovations into products and systems with real-world impact.

Goals

To provide Thayer faculty-led teams with the knowledge and funding needed to bring their innovative ideas and technologies to the marketplace.
To develop and strengthen Dartmouth intellectual property and increase licensing of Dartmouth IP to startups and other companies.
To strengthen Thayer's entrepreneurial ecosystem of alumni, faculty, students, and corporate partners to facilitate collaboration and support.