Apply to the CDL program

CDL-Montreal’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) stream is a 9-month startup program offered at HEC Montréal. Beginning in October and concluding in June, the AI stream at CDL-Montreal supports early-stage companies that leverage direct applications of AI and machine learning to improve products, services, and business processes; innovations that are advancing the frontier of AI itself; and innovations that are fixing the problems that AI can create.

Located in North America’s epicenter of AI research, this stream provides access to world-leading researchers affiliated with MILA (Montreal Institute for Learning Algorithms) and IVADO.

The program includes up to 4 objective-setting sessions to sharpen objectives, prioritize time and resources, and help raise capital in addition to an international networking event called ‘Super Session” for graduating Ventures.

Who Should Apply?

CDL-Montreal’s Artificial Intelligence program is designed for early-stage tech companies led by visionary individuals with strong technical backgrounds. The stream is tailored towards founders developing applied AI solutions to solve problems in a particular industry or vertical.

The CDL program is designed for early-stage companies (early venture or growth) or even projects (pre-incorporation); however, startups at all levels of maturity from all around the world will be considered.

CDL-Montreal AI Technology/Industry Applications

The AI stream supports ventures across multiple innovation areas and applications, including, but not limited to:

  • Innovation Areas
    • Machine Learning (ML)
    • AI automation platforms
    • Computer Vision
    • Natural Language Processing (NLP)
    • Large Language Models (LLM)
    • Generative AI
    • Natural Search
    • Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)
    • Data Analytics and Infrastructures
    • IoT/Sensors
  • Example of Applications
    • Consumer Tech
    • HealthTech
    • FinTech
    • IT
    • Cybersecurity
    • Finance
    • Sport Tech
    • Climate

CDL-Montreal AI Alumni Companies

CDL Alumni Companies are changing the world daily as impactful rising companies that seek to enhance the commercialization of science for the betterment of humankind. Below are a few examples of companies that have graduated from CDL-Montreal AI:

Our Mentors

Mentors are the backbone of the Creative Destruction Lab program because they provide expert guidance for early-stage technology companies to grow and improve their probability of success. CDL brings together seasoned exited entrepreneurs, world-class scientists, and active investors (VCs and angels) experienced in various AI technologies and applications, including NLP, Machine Learning, Neural Networks, and Digital Health.  These experts meet with participating startups periodically to evaluate their progress and offer actionable insights to increase their probability of scaling. Below are a few examples of CDL-Montreal AI mentors:

To contact a CDL-Montreal AI stream representative, please email cdl-montreal@creativedesrtuctionlab.com to learn more about how this stream can benefit your company. 

“As founders, we all feel very confident and passionate about our products as we should, but it’s different to have a great solution that it’s to start a business; and what CDL does is to take that great idea and help you start a business. Probably most don’t know to do that thing, and I’m not saying that I do, but I do it infinitely better than I did before starting CDL.”

Gabriel Cowan

Founder, Audio Design Desk

“I would recommend CDL to any startup founder; it’s a fantastic program. It’s time efficient and really challenged us, and we are extremely grateful for the opportunity.”

Lana Cuthbertson

CEO & Co-Founder, Areto Labs

Sign up to be notified when applications open

Apply