Join the Global Gold Standard in Open Energy Innovation.
Be part of a transformative movement shaping the future of sustainable power.
The Avatar Program
Avatar fills a critical gap in the energy innovation ecosystem by working with large oil and gas firms to champion solutions from within by engaging their staff. It creates a safe “third space” for energy companies and academia to collaborate and unlock new business opportunities.
Our unique model is that people do not need to join with a team, IP, or even an idea! As they progress there will be a customer who is interested in their approach.
The Avatar model is facilitating a new energy future by building the leaders and technologies of the future through leadership, entrepreneurship, collaboration, and capital.
How it works:
The Avatar program has 3 interconnected stages to empower your organization:
Building the Leaders
Avatar Ignite: A leadership development program that engages industry professionals in the future of energy by putting them to work on real-world energy technology challenges.
Building the Technologies
Avatar Studio: A technology development studio that advances industry-validated concepts and IP, turning them into real-world value for the industry.
Building the Future
Avatar Ventures: A venture fund focused on financing the future of energy by providing early-stage risk capital to bring industry led technologies to market.
Avatar Ignite
Avatar Ignite: a 14-week immersive process exploring current energy transition technologies and market dynamics while developing the skills of future energy leaders. Teams pitch their energy transition solution to senior executives (“Shark Tank”) and top projects proceed to Studio to emerge as fundable businesses.
Winter 2024:
159 emerging leaders from
31 companies
5 Canadian provinces
9 U.S. states.
Organized into 32 teams over 14 weeks
Avatar Studio
Avatar Studio: Takes the most promising solutions emerging from Ignite and collaborates with customers and industry experts to prepare investor-ready business opportunities. Teams develop prototypes, business models, and pitch at Demo Day.
Spring/Summer 2025:
13 teams sponsored by partners currently bringing technology to life with sponsors.
Avatar Ventures
Avatar Ventures: Works with top Studio graduates to prepare companies for both dilutive and non-dilutive funding. Avatar Leadership Fund I (anchored by Cenovus Energy) provides early-stage capital to scale vetted ventures.
Teams form their own venture, 'NewCo', and own the IP.
Choose Your Journey.
Choose Your Journey.
Carbon Control
Putting it Back in Place
Future Fuels
Sustainable Fuels to Power the World
Mature Assets
Plugging the Past, Powering the Future
The New Electrosphere
Next Generation Grid & Power
Geothermal
Baseload Energy Below
Production Optimization
Reshaping the Resource Curve
Hyperlink
5G, IoT and Scaling Connectivity
Methane Mitigation
The Fruits within Reach
Climate Shields
CDR and Climate Adaptation
Natural Gas Pioneers
From the Well to the World
After launch day, participants engage in a 101-learning session where they are briefly introduced to each stream. After selecting their technology stream, participants are given an in-depth 201-learning session on their topic from a sponsor.