CDL-Atlantic
Prime

For founders developing state of the art technological innovations across diverse industries.

The Prime Stream at CDL-Atlantic operates from Halifax, Nova Scotia, one of Canada’s largest tech-hubs. The stream is industry agnostic, and brings together many of the region’s most experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and scientists from diverse fields.

CDL startups work with these mentors to sharpen objectives, prioritize time and resources, raise capital, and engage with experts working on the frontiers of research. Distinct from CDL’s specialized streams that each focus on a particular industry or technology, CDL Prime admits ventures pursuing many different applications of technology to industry problems.

Startups accepted into the CDL Program attend up to five objective-setting sessions between October and June. There are no fees for participation and CDL does not take any equity.

All CDL-Atlantic Prime Alumni Companies ▶︎

Who Should Apply?

The CDL-Atlantic Prime Stream is particularly focused on showcasing Atlantic Canadian companies to the world, is suited to coachable research teams and startups with differentiated technology and the potential for massive growth.

This stream is tailored towards early-stage companies (early venture or growth) or even projects (pre-incorporation); however, startups at all levels of maturity will be considered.

Example Innovation Areas

  • Digital Technology & Artificial Intelligence
  • Health & Life Sciences
  • Food & Ag-Tech
  • Cleantech & Climate

The list above is not exhaustive. Contact Michael Allain, Recruitment Lead/Venture Manager to discuss the program and your venture.

Our Mentors

CDL mentors include accomplished entrepreneurs, experienced operators, active angel and venture investors, world-leading scientists, engineers, and economists. Mentors and CDL-Atlantic startups formally meet five times in a structured format over the program’s nine-month duration to help founders set short–term objectives.

Companies accepted to the CDL-Atlantic Prime Stream benefit from expert advice and guidance from industry leaders in the Atlantic region and beyond. These experts meet with companies periodically between the set sessions to evaluate their technologies, suggest improvements, and explore formal advising engagements.

See here for a full list of our partners ▶︎

See all CDL-Atlantic Prime Stream mentors ▶︎
Cathy Bennett's headshot with a hot pink filter.
Sally Daub's headshot with a hot pink filter.
Rhiannon Davies' headshot with a hot pink filter.
Mark Dobbin's headshot with hot pink filter
John Risley CDL headshot

For more information or to schedule an introduction meeting with the CDL team, email:

Hope Scheller
Associate Director, Ventures,
hope@creativedestructionlab.com

“We got exceptional value from this program and it has helped us make some fundamental decisions about our business that will shape the future of our company. Whether it was helping us focus on what was most critical or just giving us a whole different perspective on an idea, CDL helped us avoid a number of major mistakes and make decisions that have enabled us move faster than we expected.”

Adam Keating

CEO and Co-Founder, CoLab Software

“The CDL-Atlantic program was essential for Jaza – it forced us to pressure test our ideas. We walked away from the program seeing our business through the eyes of some of our region’s most successful business leaders. We now have the mentors, investors and the perspective necessary to take Jaza to the next level.”

Sandy McArthur

COO, Jaza Energy (Sackville, NB) - CDL-Atlantic '18

Learn more >