The Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) is a financing and mentorship program for seed-stage massively scalable, technology and science-based startups. The program’s objective-setting methodology enhances the performance of technical founders who learn from the insights of experienced entrepreneurs, increasing their probability of success. Since 2012, over 1000 founders representing more than 500 companies have participated in the CDL. The successful commercialization of cutting-edge science achieved through the program has led to the creation of over $2.5 billion in equity value.

CDL-Rockies is based out of the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary, and is one of six CDL sites across North America. For the past year, the CDL-Rockies has been bringing ventures from across the Prairies to the attention of seasoned business mentors and angel investors. During this time, the 26 ventures in the program have received world-class mentorship and attracted investments of almost $15 million.

Ventures that are selected to participate in the CDL program benefit from:

  • Objective-based mentorship from highly successful serial entrepreneurs, known as G7 Fellows
  • Opportunities to secure seed-stage funding from the G7 Fellows and Associates
  • Insight from leading thinkers in the fields of science and economics, known as Lab Scientists/Economists
  • Business development support from top MBA students

The application for the Creative Destruction Lab’s 2018/19 cohorts is now open. The deadline to apply is August 12, 2018. CDL does not take any equity and there is no fee to participate in the program. Ventures are not required to move to a CDL site.