EDMONTON, AB – March 17, 2026 – In a collaborative move that prioritizes provincial economic growth over traditional rivalry, the Alberta School of Business and the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business have officially partnered with Creative Destruction Lab – Rockies (CDL-Rockies) for the CDL course.
CDL-Rockies focuses on accelerating the commercialization of high-growth science and technology startups through mentorship programs led by globally recognized, seasoned entrepreneurs, investors and subject matter experts.
Unlike traditional classroom case studies, the CDL course, which is offered as a capstone course to MBAs and executive MBAs, will see students from both institutions embedded with early-stage startups to assist in navigating the rough seas inherent in commercializing and scaling complex innovations.
“This partnership builds a bridge between exceptional student talent and world-class innovators,” says Vikas Mehrotra, dean of the Alberta School of Business. “We are working together to give Alberta’s founders and future leaders the tools, mentorship and global lens they need to transform bold ideas into companies that can thrive anywhere in the world.”
This unified front in Alberta’s post-secondary landscape aims to develop the next generation of business leaders in Alberta by providing students with hands-on experience working alongside startups tackling global challenges in industries such as energy, health care and agriculture, while strengthening the province’s ability to attract and retain top talent.
“Our partnership with the Alberta School of Business amplifies the impact we are making at the Haskayne School of Business with CDL-Rockies,” says Gina Grandy, dean of the Haskayne School of Business. “It exemplifies our shared commitment to fostering the development of exceptionally strong, resilient talent for Alberta’s future.”
Creative Destruction Lab – Rockies was established in 2017 at the University of Calgary. It is one of 16 CDL sites around the world, originally founded in 2012 at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. Mark Huson, professor of finance at the Alberta School of Business and CDL-Rockies’ academic director, was the primary champion for the U of A’s involvement back in 2018.
The deadline for Executive MBA and MBA students to apply for the CDL-Rockies course is April 2.
