CDL Objectives-Based Mentorship Program
CDL Objectives-Based Mentorship Program is a program offered by Creative Destruction Lab for entrepreneurs and small businesses in Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador).
A nine-month, objectives-based mentorship program for massively scalable, seed-stage, science- and technology-based companies. Founders work with accomplished entrepreneurs, angel investors, economists, and scientists through five full-day objective-setting sessions held every eight weeks.
Visit the official program page →
Program details
CDL's core program is designed around 5 full-day objective-setting sessions where mentors work with founders to help refine the 3 most important sprint-style objectives to accomplish over the next 8-week interval en route to their next major inflection point. Each session has two major components: Small Group Meetings (SGM) consisting of 5-10 back-to-back meetings with curated CDL Fellows and Associates, and Large Room Discussions (LRD) where mentors debate objectives in a moderated peer-review format. Each venture is assigned a Venture Manager who facilitates introductions and referrals into the CDL network. Ventures are paired with mentors who dedicate at least 4 hours between sessions. The program operates across 23 specialized streams (e.g., AI, Quantum, Climate, Health, Space, Oceans, Defence, Manufacturing) at 16 global locations. CDL does not directly fund startups, but mentors who are investors often invest in ventures that demonstrate a track record of achieving their objectives.
Who qualifies
Science- or technology-based venture with novel, defensible, and scalable technology. Companies should have advanced beyond the concept stage with a developed or in-progress prototype. The most opportune time to participate is when transitioning from purely technical goals to foundational business objectives such as go-to-market strategy, product-market fit, and planning to raise capital. Ventures can apply to up to 5 CDL sites. No university affiliation required. Can participate concurrently with other programs.
About Navigator Scout
Navigator Scout is a free directory of business grants, loans, and advisory programs across Atlantic Canada. Search the full directory →