Build something massive
The Creative Destruction Lab was established to foster the next generation of Canada’s technology startups, while giving students practical experience working with world-class investors and entrepreneurs. Students enjoy a first-hand immersion in the startup ecosystem, as they help to bring to market the innovations needed to solve the most pressing problems of our time.
Founded by Professor Ajay Agrawal at the Rotman School of Management in 2012, the CDL has now expanded to Vancouver (Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia), Calgary (Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary), Montreal (HEC Montréal), Halifax (Rowe School of Business, Dalhousie University), and New York City (Stern School of Business, New York University).
Ventures accepted into the program have backgrounds in the areas of artificial intelligence, quantum computing, clean tech and health. CDL alumni include Thalmic Labs (Waterloo), Atomwise (San Francisco), Deep Genomics (Toronto), Automat (Montreal), and Kyndi (Palo Alto). Companies that have participated in the CDL programs have created over $3 billion in equity value.
The role of Rotman students
The program is designed to provide students who want to pursue startup experiences by learning to evaluate and build early stage tech businesses. Selection into the CDL course is competitive, and Rotman participants are chosen for their high potential as strategic thinkers and entrepreneurs. Working alongside their CDL partners, they develop financial models, evaluate potential markets, and fine-tune strategies for scaling.
Over the course of the nine-month program, students gain invaluable first-hand experience of the entrepreneurial mindset by taking part in the life of a startup, playing a vital role in the development of a venture with massively scalable potential.
A powerful network
One of the greatest functions of the CDL is its role as a crucible of business acumen and technical expertise, bringing together a highly effective combination of entrepreneurs, investors, scholars, inventors and risk-takers.
Students are paired with early-stage technology companies looking to scale their idea into a high growth company. Every two months, students and ventures are invited to join an intensive full-day session with the Fellows and Associates, an elite group of successful entrepreneurs, angel investors, and partners from leading venture capital firms, focused on objective setting.
Learning from these experienced entrepreneurs and investors, students work with their ventures and provide hands-on support to achieve those objectives set during sessions. This invaluable interaction allows students to reframe their perspective around a career defined by original thinking and innovation.
Live the startup experience
It is a real-life immersive experience that cannot be found in any textbook. Instead of reading a 30-page case that comes with a fact set, students have to discover the facts themselves and figure out which are the most valuable. They develop a keen awareness of the messiness of the real world and the challenge of having to make vital decisions before a clear picture of the key indicators has emerged.
While working with startups, every decision matters. Students often feel a strong personal investment in their startup experience, because the consequences of their participation are so tangible. Some graduates of the program end up joining the companies they partnered with or start their own, continuing on an entrepreneurial path. Others enjoy the strategic advisory role they play with the ventures, and translate those skills into roles in finance or management consulting.
Whatever their learning trajectory, graduates emerge from the program both professionally and personally transformed.
Creative Destruction Lab Fellowship program
The CDL Fellowship program has been created to unlock the entrepreneurial ambitions of up to 20 incoming Rotman students who are committed to exploring careers in entrepreneurship and startups. Selected students are supported by financial awards of up to $27,000, a guaranteed paid internship with a CDL venture, guaranteed placement in the CDL strategic courses, and sponsored access to key events.