Top 10 Takeaways From the 2023 Dartmouth Entrepreneurs Forum

#2: Dartmouth Founders are #4 Nationally

Per Pitchbook, measuring how many companies were created per enrolled student, we were ranked #4 this year, going up from #6 a few years ago. We are few but mighty; the focus on entrepreneurship is paying off. 

#3: Dartmouth for Life: The DEF is an Archetype

One of President Beilock’s four initiatives is Dartmouth for Life. It recognizes that learning doesn’t end after four years. She also realizes that Dartmouth’s unfair advantage is engaged alumni. The DEF, with the mix of students, alums, and learning, is an archetype of successful Dartmouth for Life events and meaning. So much energy at the event!

#4: One Dartmouth: The Magnuson Center is an Archetype

President Beilock also believes bringing the four grad schools and College together is another unfair advantage for Dartmouth. Magnuson is the archetype for that, with programming that is inclusive by design. At the DEF, all the schools are represented, and everyone is a Dartmouth alum. The distinctions between undergrad and grad school degrees disappear. Note: Green D is like that too! We think of all Dartmouth alums equally when we connect Founders, VCs, and our Community.

#6: Alumni Ventures Fellows Matter

Two past Green D Fellows who have succeeded in Venture are highly visible and accomplished, Kimmy Paluch D ’04 (MP/Founder at seed fund BetaBoom) and Jenieri Cyrus D ’14 (Investor at Urban Innovations). The Alumni Ventures Fellows Program is eight years old, with 500+ graduates (33 from the Dartmouth ecosystem).

#7: In Real Life is Way More Fun

Our current Green D Fellow Katie Goldstein D ’20 helped us organize a lunch with the who’s who of up-and-coming VCs, Founders, and established VCs. We planned for 16 seats (expecting no-shows) and had to add in 7 more. Everyone loved the opportunity to meet 1:1. Outside the day of the DEF, I also met with nine portfolio company CEOs, many for the first time in real life.

#8: New Expertise Areas Emerging for Dartmouth

There are two recent “One Dartmouth” accelerators started by Magnuson. The DIADH (digital health) and Climate accelerators are primed to make Dartmouth a thought leader (Green D is on the Advisory Board for both). The Magnuson Center catalyzed these accelerators, as they did with the Cancer accelerator begun with the Geisel School of Medicine.

#9: “Valley of Death” Is Still an Issue for Very Early Ideas From Dartmouth

The very earliest capital (friends and family) is still a gap for Dartmouth companies. The Tech Transfer office is keenly aware that academic startups can easily get stuck in the “valley of death” (their term) between non-dilutive grants and early VC money. Other schools like Stanford, U Mass Medical, and others have catalyst funding and/or business pitch prep services to bridge the gap. A solution may emerge in Hanover.

#10: Entrepreneurship in the Classroom

For the first time in 2022-23, there were two classes for undergrads, Music & Entrepreneurship and Government & Entrepreneurship. (Green D taught and judged in both classes). This is a big deal to have Magnuson involved in curriculum development. President Beilock even posited a business undergrad minor (with Tuck involved) as a One Dartmouth example. She sees alums teaching in the classrooms as a Dartmouth for Life opportunity. Given that Magnuson and Entrepreneurship are such great examples for President Beilock of where she wants to take Dartmouth, we are highly encouraged.

Join Green D Ventures Fund 10

Green D Ventures allows accredited investors in the Dartmouth community to own a diversified portfolio of ~20-30 venture-backed companies — many with a Dartmouth connection. We are asking for commitments to Green D Fund 10 by September 30, 2023. You can secure your spot in Fund 10 by visiting our secure portal and signing your Subscription Agreement. You can also connect with our team if you have any outstanding questions.