Take advantage of this exciting opportunity. MBA students will work directly with the CDL-Rockies’ ventures and mentors to deepen their understanding of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, interact with capital providers and connect with a global network comprised of some of the most powerful minds in business, science and technology.
Open to MBA students at the Haskayne School of Business and the Alberta School of Business. You must apply for the CDL-Rockies program. Once accepted into the program, students are matched with one of the ventures based on:
- The preferences of the venture founders (the types of projects for which they are seeking MBA support);
- The background, skills, and experience of the student and its relevance to the venture; and
- The preferences of the students.
Each year, CDL-Rockies will welcome a maximum of 75 ventures, approximately 25 ventures from each stream; Prime, Energy and Ag. CDL-Rockies will be seeking approximately 70 highly motivated MBA students to support the ventures in the program.
What can I expect to learn?
If you are chosen to participate in this program, you will:
- Deepen your entrepreneurial knowledge
- Learn first-hand from highly successful serial entrepreneurs
- Work directly with the founders of the ventures to deliver real-world impact
- Discover potential opportunities to secure employment with venture companies, corporate partners or fellows/associates
Join us for virtual coffee hours on March 7, 2024 and March 26, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. to learn how to stand out among the applications. Register here!
CDL-Rockies 2024/25 Session Schedule
CDL-Rockies Sessions generally occur between October to May, roughly eight-weeks apart. Session attendance is optional, but encouraged.
Session 1: November 5 - 7, 2024
Session 2: January 28 - 30, 2025
Session 3: March 25 - 27, 2025
Session 4: May 13 - 15, 2025
Application Process
Fill out the application form by uploading your CV and submitting a 2-3 minute video that addresses the following questions:
- Why are you passionate about participating in CDL-Rockies?
- How do your skills and experience position you to uniquely contribute to the ventures?
- What do you hope to learn from the program?
Students will be selected on the basis of their passion for the program, relevance of their experience, and reflection on what they hope to learn and bring to the program.
DEADLINE: The deadline to apply is 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. MBA and EMBA students will be notified by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, if they are accepted into the program. The MBA Program office will enroll you in the relevant courses.
If you have further questions, please contact Dr. Kanwal Bokhari.
Can I audit the CDL courses?
No. The CDL courses are only open to selected students who are willing to formally enrol in the courses.
Can I take one of the two courses and still be part of the program?
Preference will be given to students who are fully committed to participating in the program throughout Fall and Winter semesters. Note that, based on performance within the program, students may not be allowed to continue in the second CDL course.
What courses are included in this program?
CDL-Rockies will be taught in two separate MBA/EMBA courses as follows:
- (Fall 2024) ENTI 621: Start-up Venture Analysis (This course can count towards your FNCE Specialization if you wish)
- (Winter 2025) ENTI 623: Creative Destruction Lab – Rockies (this course will now count as your capstone course, equivalent to MGST 615)
Can I take one or both of these courses as extra credit beyond the 20-course requirement?
Preference will be given to students who require at least one course in Fall and one course in Winter to complete their program requirements.
What type of ventures are involved in the program?
The program is designed to support massively scalable science and technology-based ventures.
What happens if the venture that I am matched with leaves CDL-Rockies?
Students may choose to continue to work with a venture that has left the program. Alternatively, students may choose to be re-assigned to a venture continuing on in the program. Consultation with the course instructor and the Venture Leader is encouraged.
Learn more about CDL-Rockies at
https://www.creativedestructionlab.com