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Creative Destruction Lab's Overview

Total employees694
HeadquartersToronto
Founded2012

Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) is a non-profit organization that delivers an objectives-based program for massively scalable, seed-stage, science- and technology-based companies. Its nine-month program pairs founders with experienced entrepreneurs and investors (CDL Mentors) to sharpen objectives, raise capital, and engage with experts working on the frontiers of research. CDL operates out of multiple locations, typically hosted at leading business schools, and offers specialized streams focusing on areas like AI, Health, Climate, Space, and more.

Where is Creative Destruction Lab's Headquarters?

HQ Function

Serves as the founding site, global administrative hub, and a primary node for program delivery, mentor network coordination, and curriculum development. It sets the standard for CDL sites worldwide.

Notable Features:

Located within a world-renowned business school at a leading research university, facilitating access to academic expertise, a strong talent pool, and a vibrant innovation ecosystem.

Work Culture:

Characterized by a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and intellectually stimulating environment. Emphasis on rigorous goal-setting, mentorship, and fostering a collaborative community of founders, mentors, scientists, and students.

HQ Significance:

As the original CDL site, it established the model and philosophy that has been replicated globally. It remains a central point for the CDL network and a beacon for deep-tech venture creation.

Values Reflected in HQ: Innovation, mentorship, rigorous execution, economic growth through technological advancement, and the power of community.

Location:

Creative Destruction Lab supports massively scalable, science- and technology-based companies globally through its network of university-anchored sites. Key functions supported across its international locations include: intensive mentorship from successful entrepreneurs and investors, guidance on technology roadmaps, support for capital raising, business development connections, and specialized programming tailored to industry verticals like AI, Climate, Health, Space, Oceans, and Quantum. This distributed model allows CDL to tap into regional innovation ecosystems while providing startups with a global perspective and network.

Street Address:

105 St George St

City:

Toronto

State/Province:

Ontario

Country:

Canada

Creative Destruction Lab's Global Presence

Oxford, United Kingdom

Address: Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, Park End St, Oxford OX1 1HP, UK

To foster the growth of science-based ventures in Europe, providing a bridge to North American markets and expertise.

Paris, France

Address: HEC Paris, 1 Rue de la Libération, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France

Supports the development of high-impact technology companies in continental Europe, particularly in sustainability and frontier tech.

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Address: Scheller College of Business, Georgia Institute of Technology, 800 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30308, USA

To catalyze the tech startup ecosystem in the Southeastern United States, connecting local innovation with global opportunities.

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Address: Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia, 2053 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2, Canada

Supports science and tech-based startups in Western Canada, with a focus on health innovation and advanced computing applications.

Madison, Wisconsin, USA

Address: Wisconsin School of Business, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 975 University Ave, Madison, WI 53706, USA

To nurture innovation in risk management and healthcare technologies in the US Midwest.

Buying Intent Signals for Creative Destruction Lab

Highperformr Signals uncover buying intent and give you clear insights to target the right accounts at the right time — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams close more deals, faster.

Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
*Example signal, not calculated in real time

Executive Team of Creative Destruction Lab

As of April 2025, Creative Destruction Lab' leadership includes:

Ajay Agrawal - Founder
Sonia Sennik - Executive Director, Creative Destruction Lab - Global
Krisztina 'Z' Holly - Chief KTEE Officer (Knowledge Translation, Exchange and Entrepreneurship)
Alice Rueda - Chief Operating Officer, Creative Destruction Lab - Global

Investors of Creative Destruction Lab

Creative Destruction Lab has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:

Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto (Founding Partner)
Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
HEC Paris
Georgia Institute of Technology, Scheller College of Business
University of British Columbia, Sauder School of Business
University of Calgary, Haskayne School of Business
Dalhousie University, Rowe School of Business
Université de Montréal, Polytechnique Montréal, HEC Montréal (CDL-Montréal)
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin School of Business
Estonian Business School (CDL-Estonia)
Various corporate sponsors and philanthropic foundations (region-specific and global)

Executive New Hires/Exits in the Last 12 Months

Hire0
Exits0

CDL's core global leadership tends to be stable. Most personnel changes occur at the site director level or within program management roles as the network expands or programs evolve. No major C-level global executive changes have been publicly announced recently.

Technology (Tech Stack) used by Creative Destruction Lab

Discover the tools Creative Destruction Lab uses. Highperformr reveals the technologies powering your target accounts — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams prioritize smarter and close faster.

Creative Destruction Lab Email Formats and Examples

Creative Destruction Lab staff primarily use email addresses associated with their host university or the central CDL domain. Common formats include first name and last name combinations.

[first].[last]@creativedestructionlab.com or [firstinitial][lastname]@creativedestructionlab.com. For site-specific staff, university domain emails like [alias]@[university_domain].ca/edu/ac.uk are also common.

Format

firstname.lastname@creativedestructionlab.com

Example

80%

Success rate

News and media

BetaKitOctober 4, 2023

Creative Destruction Lab is accepting applications for its 2024-2025 program

Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) has opened applications for its 2024-2025 program, inviting early-stage, science- and tech-focused startups from around the world to apply for its objectives-based mentorship program across its various sites and specialized streams....more

Georgia Tech News CenterMay 8, 2023

Creative Destruction Lab-Atlanta Graduates 16 Startups with Special Focus on Diverse Founders

CDL-Atlanta at Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business celebrated the graduation of 16 startups from its 2022-23 cohort, with a notable emphasis on supporting ventures led by diverse founders. The program highlighted successes in areas like supply chain and financial technology....more

University of Oxford Saïd Business SchoolNovember 21, 2023

Creative Destruction Lab Oxford doubles down on digital society and health tech

CDL-Oxford announced its focus for the upcoming cohort on Digital Society and Health Tech, building on its strengths in AI and life sciences to support ventures addressing critical societal challenges and advancing healthcare innovation....more

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