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The Creative Destruction Lab Program Now Accepting Applications
August 12, 2018
The Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) is a seed-stage program for massively scalable, science-based companies. The program employs an objectives-based mentoring process with the goal of maximizing equity-value creation.
The Program involves:
Mentorship from select entrepreneurs and angel investors: the CDL Fellows and Associates
Intensive full-day sessions with the Fellows and Associates take place every eight weeks with the purpose of assessing progress and setting new short-term objectives.
Opportunities to raise capital
Meetings are attended by the Fellows and Associates, a carefully selected group of exited entrepreneurs, angel investors, and partners from leading venture capital firms who often invest in ventures that demonstrate a track record of achieving their objectives.
Advice on technology roadmaps from the CDL Chief Scientists
World-renowned experts from leading academic institutions provide technical feedback to founders and advise the Fellows and Associates on objectives related to technology validation.
Business development support from top MBA students
MBA students work with founders to develop financial models, evaluate potential markets, and fine-tune strategies for scaling. The program is designed for early-stage, science-based technology companies, though we consider all applicants based on their potential to scale and the viability of their product.
CDL-Toronto currently offers seven streams:
Prime
The general technology or “Prime” stream includes startups in an array of industries with deep-science and technology innovations. The Prime stream is industry agnostic, with startups tackling problems in healthcare, finance, energy, chemical, media, transportation, and agriculture sectors, amongst others. Technologies in the Prime stream include advanced engineering, electronics, blockchain, nanotech, neuroscience, and general IT applications.
Artificial Intelligence
CDL-Toronto’s AI stream was launched in 2015 and was the first program in the world to focus exclusively on massively scalable artificial intelligence and machine learning-driven startups. CDL-Toronto’s AI/ML stream connects startups to the University of Toronto, University of Waterloo and the newly formed Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence founded by Geoffrey Hinton, the “Godfather of AI.”
Blockchain-AI
The Blockchain-AI program brings together experienced entrepreneurs, angel investors and a community of visionaries in the fields of blockchain and AI. Blockchain-AI Program startups work with these mentors to sharpen objectives, prioritize time and resources, raise capital, and engage with experts working on the frontiers of research. Participants also receive US$100k equity investment from investment partners, office space in downtown Toronto, and intensive technical training from industry and academic leaders in AI, blockchain, and crypto-economics.
Cities
The Cities Stream operates from one of the world’s most diverse cities and a hub of urban innovation. The Stream brings together experienced entrepreneurs, investors, urban planning and construction experts, and scientists active in a range of fields relevant to urban innovation and ‘smart city’ technologies. CDL startups work with these mentors to sharpen objectives, prioritize time and resources, raise capital, and engage with experts working on the frontiers of research. Participating founders will be connected with urban planners and real estate developers to explore pilot project opportunities.
Health
The Health Stream serves ambitious teams with strong backgrounds in chemical, biological, medical, materials, mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering who are working on projects and technologies with the potential to meaningfully enhance human health and wellness. This Stream is tailored towards early-stage companies (early venture or growth) or even projects (pre-incorporation) however, startups at all levels of maturity will be considered.
Quantum
The Quantum stream is the first of its kind and provides applicants with access to technical training, capital, and quantum computing resources from Rigetti and D-Wave Systems. Technical education will also be provided by Dr. Peter Wittek, author of the first textbook on quantum machine learning. Individuals/teams with a strong background in physics, math, statistics, machine learning, and/or electrical engineering and a keen interest in quantum computing are encouraged to apply.
Space
The Space Stream brings together astronauts, entrepreneurs, investors, and scientists from fields related to space exploration and transportation, satellite communications, and robotics. CDL startups work with these mentors to sharpen objectives, prioritize time and resources, raise capital, and engage with experts working on the frontiers of research.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: AUGUST 12, 2018 at 11:59pm
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS