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CDL-Berlin

Build something massive with CDL-Berlin at DEEP
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Enhancing the commercialization of science for the betterment of humankind

CDL-Berlin, run by DEEP at ESMT Berlin, is part of the Creative Destruction Lab's global network, offering a nine-month objective-based mentorship program for science- and technology-based startups. We host a Health and Next Gen Computing stream, connecting the founders with world-class startup mentors (exited entrepreneurs, seasoned investors and C-Level veterans) to accelerate their growth and enhance their chances for rapid success.

Is CDL for you?

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Our Streams

Health

Our Health Stream supports deep tech companies in diagnostics, therapeutics, longevity, women's health, medical devices.

  • 58 Startups in healthcare from predominantly Europe, but also US and Asia
  • 13 graduates in 2023 and 2024
  • Ranks 8th for numbers of applicants among 30+ CDL streams in its 2nd year

Partner: Bayer

More information

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Next Gen Computing

Support ventures in New Compute (Bio, Analog, Neuromorphic, Quantum, Photonics) & solutions for energy-efficiency

  • Launched in 2024 as the 1st European stream between Germany and France
  • 14 Startups predominantly from six European countries in its launch year
  • Complements CDL’s strong track record in compute

Partners: Dieter Schwarz Stiftung, HEC Paris, Campus Founders, TUM Campus Heilbronn

More information

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CDL for students

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Want to become part of CDL?

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Apply as a venture

CDL is a technology first program designed for ambitious founders seeking mentorship from a network of credible advisors. Our team looks for ventures with technology that is novel, defensible and scalable with exciting potential, and a team that seems well positioned to drive the success of that technology.

 

If this sounds like you, you can benefit from:

  • An emphasis on objective-setting, helping companies focus on what’s most important to their business
  • Focused mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs who have founded, led, and sold significant companies themselves
  • Opportunities to raise capital, including access to angels and VCs from Europe and North America
  • Technical advice from world-leading scientists, engineers and economists
  • Hands-on support from top students, who embed within the company to provide business development expertise

 

Applications are closed for the running program year 2024/2025. 

If you want to be informed when the next application rounds starts, register here
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Apply as a student

A unique opportunity for ESMT Berlin students to apply to the Deep Tech Innovation Program, and become a temporary project consultant to one of the CDL program ventures. The program offers:

  • exposure to the world of science-based entrepreneurship through introductory lectures, observance of close interactions with our distinguished mentors and hands-on project work. 
  • up close participation in the challenges of building scalable, science-based ventures, and actively contributing to the process of translating research into commercial value through working with a venture and its founders. 

Applications are currently closed and will be opened again in summer 2025 for the new cohort year 2025/2026.

Reach out for more information

CDL-Berlin Venture Testimonials

logo company atorvia
Atorvia is a pre-clinical stage life sciences company focused on developing therapeutics and related biomarkers to prevent and treat organ failure.

Through CDL we have clarified and validated our strategy, refined our messaging, and have a clear path forward.

In short, we evolved into a well-networked venture with a clear purpose, a more advanced technology, and a better understanding of our market & market fit.

logo of company noah labs
Noah Labs has developed an AI-powered health analytics platform which enables timely detection of cardiovascular risks using voice biomarkers and biosensors.

CDL-Berlin has exceeded our already high expectations.

We've gone through several mentoring and accelerator programs in recent years and believe that CDL offers the by far highest value for startups and their founders through it's rigorous selection process on both sides.

logo des unternehmens vivalyx
Vivalyx has developed donor organ revitalization solutions to increase the number of viable organs available for patients and increase vitality.

The biggest impact CDL had on us was by supporting the funding round.

It has clearly exceeded our expectations by unique, open and honest mentoring.

The CDL Network of Innovation Ecosystems

CDL is available across 11 locations, with each location offering unique streams and resources to support early-stage ventures in scaling. Launched in 2012 at the Rotman School of Management at University of Toronto, the program has now expanded with locations in:

  • Paris (HEC Paris)
  • Atlanta (Scheller College of Business, Georgia Institute of Technology)
  • Madison (Wisconsin School of Business, University of Wisconsin-Madison)
  • Seattle (University of Washington, Foster School of Business)
  • Vancouver (Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia)
  • Montreal (HEC Montréal)
  • Calgary (Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary)
  • Halifax (Rowe School of Business, Dalhousie University)
  • Estonia (University of Tartu)
  • Berlin (ESMT Berlin)
  • Melbourne (Monash Business School, Monash University)

Explore all CDL sites.