Defence

For founders developing defence-relevant technologies that improve mission capability, resilience, and national security.

The CDL Defence Stream is run in partnership with the Canadian Armed Forces, BDC, Osler, and CDL sites across Canada (CDL-Atlantic, CDL-Rockies, CDL-Toronto, and CDL-Vancouver) and Europe (CDL-Berlin, CDL-Estonia), with additional partners to follow. The purpose is to help ventures align to real buyer needs, navigate government pathways, and build evidence toward testing and procurement with allied partners. In addition to CDL’s core objective-setting program, the stream includes procurement and defence-related workshops delivered by the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, partners, and guests to connect problem owners with potential solution providers.

CDL startups work with mentors to sharpen objectives, prioritize time and resources, raise capital, and engage with experts working on the frontiers of research.

Admitted ventures attend three in-person objective-setting sessions between September and May. CDL is a non-profit organization. There are no fees for participation and CDL does not take any equity. Learn more about the CDL program.

Program Structure

Nurture (virtual): June – July 2026*

Structured programming to support ventures exploring defence commercialization and a potential pathway to CDL Defence. Modules may include Startup Fundamentals, Geopolitics & Defence Landscape, Value Prop & Mission Fit, and Defence Procurement Pathways.

Core CDL sessions (Defence focus days):

Session #1: Estonia – September 2026

Session #2: Germany – February 2027

Session #3: Canada – May 2027

Who Should Apply?

The CDL Defence Stream is designed for founders developing dual use technologies that directly address operational needs in defence, national security, and critical infrastructure protection.

While our emphasis is on solutions at TRL 4–7 that demonstrate a clear defence use case with strong technical and operational feasibility/validation in defence contexts, we will also consider startups across maturity levels if they can demonstrate strong technical foundations and potential relevance to defence and security contexts.

This stream will accept applications from net new applicants and CDL alumni ventures.

Example Innovation Areas

• Space and ISR (Earth observation, PNT, SATCOM)
• Autonomy and robotics (UxV, perception, navigation, HMI)
• C4ISR and cyber (sensing, fusion, secure comms, AI/ML analytics)
• Sensors, RF, EO/IR, and electronic warfare enablers
• Energy and resilience (deployable power, microgrids, hardening)
• Logistics, sustainment, and training/simulation
• Medtech/biodefence and human performance
• Advanced materials and manufacturing; Arctic and harsh-environment ops

The list above is not exhaustive. Contact defence@creativedestructionlab.com to discuss the program and your venture with someone from the CDL Defence team.

Our Mentors

CDL mentors include accomplished entrepreneurs, experienced operators, active angel and venture investors, and world-leading scientists, engineers, and economists. Mentors meet at every session to help founders set objectives over the program’s nine-month duration.

Companies accepted to the CDL Defence Stream benefit from guidance by senior operators and procurement advisors, prime/system-integrator leaders, dual-use investors, and technical experts. These mentors meet with companies periodically to evaluate technologies, suggest improvements, and explore formal advising engagements.