Mission. Driven.

Entrepreneurship is one of the most powerful tools we have to scale solutions to the world’s biggest challenges.

This belief has shaped my professional journey across sectors and continues to guide my work today.

My Current Work

Fractional Startup Operator

I partner with founding teams to bridge product, market, and funding strategy across the climate, ag, and deep tech sectors. My clients include startups in airborne wind energy, recycled cotton textiles, P2P EV charging, precision ag computer vision, and coastal restoration. I bring leadership, technical fluency, and entrepreneurial grit to help solve complex problems or lead high-priority initiatives.

Hardware Prototyping Studio at First Flight Venture Center

I run the Hangar6 hardware prototyping studio at First Flight Venture Center, a prominent deep tech incubator in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. I help startups quickly turn concepts into hardware prototypes, solving complex technical challenges that stand between innovative ideas and market-ready products.

Co-founder of Carolina Climate

I co-founded Carolina Climate to help catalyze a thriving climate tech ecosystem in North Carolina. We convene founders, funders, and researchers to accelerate innovation and collaboration across the Triangle and beyond. With top universities and strengths in biotech, agtech, textiles, and power electronics, North Carolina is uniquely positioned to lead in climate tech..

My Entrepreneurial Journey

Pioneering Shared Economy Housing with OpenDoor

As co-founder and CEO of OpenDoor, I helped pioneer the co-living industry, addressing urgent social issues like urban housing affordability and the loneliness epidemic.

Under my leadership, OpenDoor scaled to 19 properties and 40 staff across the Bay Area, Portland, and Seattle, raising $8M in funding and—as a first mover in the space—laying the foundation for an entirely new category of community-centered, shared economy housing.

A collage image of Ben Provan's leadership at OpenDoor coliving

OpenDoor Community Member Testimonials

OpenDoor Brand Video

Keynote presentation @ UDIA Developer Conference

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Commercializing Early Clean Tech at Achor Innovations

Long passionate about sustainability and climate solutions, I served as the first employee and Head of Commercialization at Achor Innovation, an early clean-tech startup (founded 2007) that converted agricultural waste into renewable biogas.

This early foray into clean tech gave me the startup “bug,” inspiring me with how business can make a significant impact in solving societal challenges through scaling novel technologies. Achor was acquired by its primary licensing partner Verliant Energy in 2013.

A collage image of Ben Provan's leadership at Achor Innovations

Rooted in Engineering and Product Design

My foundation is deeply technical. In 2005, I earned a mechanical engineering degree from Cornell University, specializing in robotics and autonomous systems. I worked on early autonomous vehicles tech for DARPA’s Grand Challenge and developed swarm micro-robots for Mars exploration.

At Bose’s New Ventures group—an entrepreneurial division within the company—I designed and prototyped pre-market consumer products beyond Bose’s traditional audio line, including a linear motor for an automotive active suspension system. These experiences sharpened my skills in design-led problem-solving, rapid prototyping, and hardware innovation.

A collage image of Ben Provan's experience at Bose Corporation and Cornell University

OTHER PROJECTS

Community-Driven Real Estate Ventures

I selectively engage in innovative real estate projects that blend community, creativity, and impact.

Drawing on my ten years of experience with OpenDoor—designing, developing, and operating co-living housing at scale—I help visionary developers, property owners, and community groups bring their ambitions to life.

Operations Design & Setup

Setting up efficient, scalable operational frameworks that support both thriving communities and strong project performance.

Community Visioning & Facilitation

Crafting engaging, participatory processes that foster connection, shared purpose, and community formation for place-based projects.

Creative Business Model & Structuring

Designing innovative financial, legal, and governance structures tailored to community-centered real estate initiatives.