Inside the MBA Student Experience at Creative Destruction Lab
What’s it really like to learn alongside the world’s most promising startups?
From the classroom to the forefront of innovation, programs like the Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) offer students a unique opportunity to work directly with high-potential, science-based startups. At CDL-Paris, participants from programs such as the HEC Paris MBA are immersed in a high-impact entrepreneurial ecosystem, gaining real-world experience in deep tech ventures. Through mentorship, consulting projects, and collaboration with founders, students actively contribute to the growth of early-stage companies.
This experiential learning journey bridges academic theory with startup execution—empowering students to evaluate breakthrough technologies, craft go-to-market strategies, and tackle real-world challenges. CDL not only deepens their understanding of innovation-driven entrepreneurship but also equips them with the tools, insights, and mindset to lead in the fast-evolving tech landscape.
Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) is a world-leading seed-stage program for massively scalable, science- and technology-based companies. Founded in 2012, CDL connects high-potential startups with a curated community of experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and scientists, with locations across North America and Europe (including CDL-Paris hosted at HEC Paris). This accelerator focuses on deep tech sectors like artificial intelligence, climate, space, and quantum computing. Through structured mentorship and objective-based milestones, CDL helps founders sharpen their strategy, attract capital, and build sustainable ventures.
“Creative Destruction Lab is a global community: startup founders, students, all kinds of people that want to support each other.”
- Dalith Steiger, mentor at CDL
Engaging with Startups and Cutting-Edge Innovation
A primary aspect of the student experience is the direct interaction with startups, especially with those in deep tech. Immersing oneself in the CDL ecosystem places students at the forefront of innovation in France and beyond.
“CDL is an opportunity for students to work with startups to understand the new innovations happening.”
- Anshika Gupta, HEC Paris MBA students
It provides students with a real-time view of the science-based innovations and breakthroughs shaping various industries, sometimes ahead of their market arrival.
Bridging Theory and Practice to Elevate Your Learning
The CDL offers a critical bridge between academic learning and practical application. Students undertaking programs like the HEC Paris MBA acquire substantial theoretical learning, but the experience within the CDL provides hands-on application and practical exposure, which significantly enhance the learning journey.
"We get a lot of theoretical learning in the MBA, and that’s great because we need that foundation. But being able to apply that knowledge and see it in action through a real-life case, that’s where CDL takes the learning experience to a whole new level."
- Raphaël Villar Fernández, HEC Paris MBA student
Putting Yourself in the Shoes of a Consultant for Pioneering Ventures
Within this dynamic environment, students aren’t just passive observers: they have the opportunity "to act as a consultant to these startups". This role allows them to contribute directly to the growth of early-stage, science-driven startups, advising them on their most critical challenges.
From market strategy and customer segmentation to investor readiness and financial modeling, students take part in real high-stakes decision-making processes. It's hands-on work, guided by world-renowned mentors from across the tech and business landscape.
What makes the learning experience even more unique is the CDL’s objective-based approach to meet strict performance milestones: after each CDL session, startups have 3 objectives to check before engaging in the next session. HEC Paris students are there to support them in sharpening their strategy and execution.
And the scope? Truly global. While the program is hosted in Paris through the HEC Paris Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute, students engage with startups across Europe, covering sectors such as AI, climate, space, quantum and next generation computing.
Learning in a Rich, Diverse, and Passionate Community
“The Creative Destruction Lab is a super rich environment, with the presence of very different profiles who all bring their kind of advice, collectively forming an ecosystem that's really valuable," admits Joe Pearn, young student within the HEC Paris Fintech Summer School. Adding to this vibrant atmosphere is the palpable passion evident throughout the community. This passion, everyone from the community lives it, from the founders to the mentors and staff running the show behind the scenes. One thing is sure at CDL: Everyone is so passionate about tech and business.
Understanding Deep Tech Innovation and the Brains Behind
Beyond the consulting role, the experience is deemed very interesting for students, particularly for having the chance to get to know startups’ technology from the inside, but also the founders as individuals and teams. This personal engagement provides deeper insights into the innovations and the people driving them. As the learning experience is designed and built around the community, the environment also offers students the opportunity to learn from other mentors, adding an extra layer of valuable learning from experienced professionals.
Are you building a science- or tech-based startup with global ambition?
Do you want to refine your strategy, gain access to top-tier mentorship, and work alongside some of the brightest business minds in Europe?
Join CDL-Paris and become part of an innovation ecosystem like no other, where cutting-edge ventures meet world-class investors, experienced entrepreneurs, and talented students from programs like the HEC Paris MBA.
As a founder, you’ll benefit from:
- Expert mentorship focused on objective-driven growth
- Strategic input from future business leaders
- A global community committed to deep tech innovation
Join a global network of founders, mentors, and investors and be part of shaping what’s next : Learn more.
