About

The Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) is a non-profit organisation that delivers an objectives-based programme for massively scalable, seed-stage, science and technology-based companies.

Our programme pairs founders with experienced entrepreneurs and investors to set focused, measurable objectives with the goal of maximising equity value creation. Founded in 2012 by Professor Ajay Agrawal at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, it has expanded with locations in 13 business schools around the world.

Launched in 2019 at Saïd Business School, Creative Destruction Lab - Oxford was the first CDL site in Europe.

    The nine-month programme includes four full-day sessions focused on objective setting and culminates in a 'Super Session' that brings together the most promising ventures from across all CDL sites.

    Students follow the programme in CDL Discovery and can then apply to work with a venture on a CDL Consulting Project.

    CDL-Oxford Student Programme

    ""

    This programme is designed to expose postgraduate students from the University of Oxford to the world of entrepreneurship and provide an opportunity to interact with early-stage, science-based companies. Students can apply to work with technical founders admitted to the Creative Destruction Lab programme (CDL) on bespoke projects. 

    With CDL we are taking the next step to support world-class scientific research and innovation across the UK and Europe.

    Peter Tufano

    Former Dean Saïd Business School

    Creative Destruction Lab: Build Something Massive

    ""

    CDL: Build Something Massive

    Streams

    Streams act as focus areas where multiple emerging technologies are converging to create new commercial opportunities or a mission-driven focus.

    Startups work with mentors within a stream to sharpen objectives, prioritise time and resources, raise capital, and engage with experts working on the frontiers of research.

    CDL-Oxford has three local streams - Artificial Intelligence, Climate and FinTech - and participates in two global streams focusing on Advanced Therapies and Space.

    People

    This innovative Hub – the first in Europe – will help our start-ups get the support they need to take their ideas to market and scale up their businesses.

    Chris Skidmore

    UK Science and Innovation Minister