Creative Destruction Lab (CDL)
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
A seed-stage program for massively scalable, science and technology-based companies. CDL operates across multiple universities globally and helps founders develop their companies through mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and investors.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a seed-stage company with a massively scalable, science or technology-based venture
- Must be willing to work intensively with CDL's network of mentors (objectives-based program)
- Company must have a strong technical team or scientific foundation
- CDL has multiple streams (health, climate, AI, quantum) — must apply to a relevant stream
- No cash from CDL — program value is mentorship and investor introductions only
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- No cash from CDL. Mentorship and investor introductions only.
- Type
- Program
- Level
- Private
- Deadline
- Applications open for 2026/27 program year
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
See how this program compares on approval odds, difficulty, and competition — so you know if it’s worth your time. Unlock with Premium →
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipCDL takes no equity and charges no fees — but it's also not a funding source. The value is structured mentor access and investor introductions. Companies that survive all 5 sessions have strong investor credibility. Choose your CDL location strategically — each has different stream strengths and mentor networks.
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Rejection Pitfalls 5
- Not sufficiently technically innovative
- Lifestyle business or non-scalable model
- Unable to commit to 9-month milestone program
See the most common reasons applications get rejected — before you submit yours. Unlock with Premium →
Success Profile
Deep tech or science-based seed-stage company with strong founding team, clear technical innovation, and willingness to set and hit aggressive milestones. AI, climate, health, quantum, fintech, or space focus.
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Evaluation Criteria
Technical innovation depth and science-based differentiation; founding team capability and complementarity; market scale potential (must be 'massively scalable'); ability to set and achieve aggressive 8-week objectives; suitability for venture-scale capital raises; fit with selected stream (AI, Climate, Health, Quantum, etc.).
See exactly what reviewers score on — so you know where to focus. Unlock with Premium →
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 5
Eligible Expenses 6
- Not a cash program — program activities include: structured mentor access (5 full-day sessions)
- Objective-setting and milestone accountability with serial entrepreneurs
- Investor introductions and due diligence support
- Access to CDL's global mentor and alumni network (15 sites, 9 countries)
- Stream-specific deep dives: AI, Climate, Health, Quantum, Space, Defence, Fintech, etc.
- Co-working and collaboration space at host university (site-dependent)
Ineligible Expenses 2
- Not applicable — no cash grant; no expense categories
- CDL does not fund operating expenses, salaries, equipment, or capital costs
Intake Periods
Annual cycle: applications open ~April–July each year, program runs October through June. 2025/26 cohort applications closed July 25, 2025. 2026/27 cycle expected to open spring 2026 — check creativedestructionlab.com.
Deadline Notes
2026/27 program year applications are now open. Annual cycle: apply ~July, program runs October-June. Multiple streams available across CDL sites (Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, etc.). Check creativedestructionlab.com for stream-specific deadlines.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- Lifestyle businesses or non-scalable ventures
- Companies without a science or technology-based core innovation
- Teams without technical depth or a credible path to venture-scale outcomes
- Companies unable to commit to 9-month, 5-session program schedule
- Non-seed-stage companies (CDL targets pre-seed to seed; later-stage companies may not fit the objective-setting model)
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Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Low Risklow — no equity taken; no cash disbursed; no financial obligations to CDL
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How CDL Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
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|---|---|---|---|---|
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