Creative Destruction Lab (CDL)

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Program Overview

The Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) is a seed-stage program for massively scalable, science and technology-based companies. The program employs an objectives-based mentoring process with the goal of maximizing equity value creation.

The selected CDL ventures are supported by a class of our MBA students working with the venture founders to develop financial models, evaluate potential markets and fine-tune strategies for scaling over the course of the program. In support of the ventures, CDL students participate in two courses (one in Fall and one in Winter) - focusing on new venture financing, marketing and markets, strategy and early-stage venture operations.

Course Information

The CDL program split into 2 parts:

Part 1: FIN 657 New Enterprise Finance
New Enterprise Finance is designed to help students learn about venture formation, development of a viable business model, early-stage financing, and management of massively scalable ventures through a series of close interactions with early-stage technology companies and their potential mentors and investors ("G7 Fellows and Associates").
Part 2: FIN 658 Creative Destruction Lab
Advanced Seminar in Venture Development; Creative Destruction Lab - Rockies combines the application of financial and entrepreneurial theory and analysis to the development of new ventures, focusing on developing an effective scale-up model, establishing effective governance structures, negotiating with venture capitalists, and developing an exit strategy.

Program Benefits

If chosen to participate in this program, students will:
  • Deepen their entrepreneurial knowledge through the course content
  • Learn first-hand from wildly successful serial entrepreneurs
  • Receive hands-on coaching from Venture Leaders
  • Work directly with the founders of the ventures to deliver real-world impact
  • Discover potential opportunities to secure employment with venture companies

How to participate

Students are required to apply to participate in the CDL-Rockies course.  Details on the application process and answers to frequently asked questions are available on our student page.

CDL Student Application

Have Questions?

Please direct all initial inquiries to our MBA Academics Advisors.

E-mail: mbaacd@ualberta.ca