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HEC-Paris have partnered with the CDL to launch the first program of its kind in France. CDL uses a smart objective-setting process to turn today’s scientific breakthroughs into tomorrow’s world-changing businesses. The program is an intensive blend of fruitful networking, invaluable mentorship, and constructive critiques.

Together with HEC Paris, CDL leverages France’s world-renowned science and engineering talent to translate regional excellence in innovation into global entrepreneurial success. For founders developing cutting-edge research and innovation that could help us mitigate immediate climate impacts and shift towards a more resilient future. 

Program

Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) is a not-for-profit seed-stage program for massively scalable science-based companies. The program takes no equity and charges no fees - it is funded through philanthropy.

The program’s objective-setting process enhances the performance of technical founders who learn from the insights of experienced entrepreneurs, increasing their probability of success.

  • Focused mentorship from proven entrepreneurs who have founded, led, and sold significant tech companies
  • Technical advice from world-leading scientists, engineers, and economists
  • Access to top business students, who embed within the company to provide business development support
  • Opportunities to raise capital from North American and European investors

Climate Stream

HEC Paris launched CDL Climate,  a stream that coordinates entrepreneurs, scientists, mentors, and investors in a structured process to increase the probability of success for high impact and scalable solutions targeted towards climate change challenges.  

The first cohort started in October 2020 with 20 climate-focused recruited startups, with a focus on continental Europe. The second cohort began in October 2021.

The eight-month early-stage program for science and tech-based companies revolved around five objective-setting sessions designed to enhance the performance of tech leaders through intense interactions with seasoned entrepreneurs.  

The CDL-Paris is organising 5 sessions this year:  

  • October 12th, 2021 (virtual) 
  • December 7th, 2022 (virtual) 
  • February 1st, 2022 (virtual) 
  • April 19th, 2022 (in person in Paris) 
  • June, 2022 (TBD) 

CDL Climate focuses on innovation areas such as renewable/alternative energy, power storage, infrastructure, transportation, carbon/methane sequestration, select water, ocean and food initiatives aligned with climate solutions, and geo-engineering. The stream operates from CDL-Paris (HEC Paris), CDL-West (Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia) and CDL-Oxford (Said Business School).

CDL Certificate for HEC Paris' students

Thirty MBA students have the opportunity to work directly with the companies in CDL-Paris. Students help these ventures develop financial models, evaluate potential markets, and fine-tune their strategies for scaling up their businesses.

For the nine months of the certificate, students gain first-hand experience in all aspects involved in founding a company, including:

  • Creating the idea/business
  • Protecting yourself from competition
  • Designing competitive advantage
  • Building a business model
  • Financing a new ventures

 

Visit the CDL website

500+

Participating Companies

$13B

in equity value created
as of October 2020

TEN

Sites Focused on Global Impact

Pradeeba Jega

"There are 3 unique opportunities that CDL presents MBA students: First, exposure to seasoned entrepreneurs who offer raw, unadulterated advice on how to build and scale up a start-up; second, the opportunity to apply business theory to real-world problems by working as a consultant for the venture; lastly, and quite simply, CDL presents you with the unparalleled opportunity to be part of something potentially huge, right from a very early stage and in a controlled environment."

Pradeeba Jega, Program and Innovation Manager for Shiok Meats

News

© Creative Destruction Lab
Exactly a year after HEC Paris launched its first-ever Creative Destruction Lab program, (the CDL Climate Certificate), the school’s academics, students and business mentors welcomed a new cohort from the...
Creative Destruction Lab
In its inaugural year, CDL-Paris hosted an Apprentice Module on Climate, featuring up-and-coming high school pupils from across Canada. The topic was in keeping with this year’s Creative Destruction Lab...
© Creative Destruction Lab
HEC Paris officially launched its nine-month Creative Destruction Lab program, CDL Climate, with an objective-setting session on October 27 devoted to scalable solutions to climate change challenges. It...
© Christine Tovee
Christine Tovee has had a long and rich career in space and aeronautical projects on both sides of the Atlantic, including a stint as CTO of Airbus Group North America. Currently, she is a consultant for...
© Creative Destruction Lab
In April, HEC Paris began its drive to recruit 25 climate-focused ventures who will join its newly-launched Creative Destruction Lab called CDL-Paris. The eight-month early-stage program for science and...
Clémentine Decoopman
Clémentine Decoopman
Associate Director
Aymeric Penven
Associate Director of Ventures