Chris Hadfield
Astronaut | First Canadian Commander of the International Space Station
Space
For founders pursuing commercial opportunities that exploit the recent drop in the cost of accessing space.
The Space Stream at CDL-Toronto brings together astronauts, entrepreneurs, investors, and scientists from fields related to space exploration and transportation, satellite communications, Earth observation, automation and robotics. CDL startups work with these mentors to sharpen objectives, prioritize time and resources, raise capital, build networks and engage with experts working on the frontiers of research.
The startups attend five in-person objective-setting sessions between October and June. CDL is a non-profit organization. There are no fees for participation and CDL does not take any equity. Learn more about the CDL program.
Who Should Apply?
The Space Stream is particularly suited to coachable research teams and startup companies who are applying artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies to exploit commercial opportunities in the space industry. This Stream is tailored towards early-stage companies (early venture or growth) or even projects (pre-incorporation); however, startups at all levels of maturity will be considered. Companies from ten countries participated in the program last year.
Example Innovation Areas:
- Satellites and communication networks
- Earth observation
- Software and AI systems
- Robotics and automation
- Materials and energy solutions
- Computing and data processing
- Space logistics and manufacturing
- Satellite hardware (i.e. sensors, antennas, chips, propulsion)
- Planetary exploration and interplanetary transportation
The list above is not exhaustive. Contact space@creativedestructionlab.com to discuss the program and your venture with someone from the Space Stream.
Our Mentors
CDL mentors include accomplished entrepreneurs, experienced operators, and active angel and venture investors. Mentors meet every eight weeks in Toronto to help founders set objectives over the program’s nine-month duration.
The Space Stream operates one annual cohort at CDL-Toronto in Toronto, Canada. For more information or to schedule an introduction meeting with the CDL team, email space@creativedestructionlab.com.
Life Beyond Earth Fireside Chat
On June 6, 2018, CDL launched its talk series CDL Insights by hosting Life Beyond Earth, a fireside chat looking at the future of space exploration and human colonization of other planets. Transcending the natural limitations of living outside our blue planet, this conversation explored the current trajectory of technological improvements in interplanetary transportation, space robotics, and mining, to develop a deep understanding of the state of science and technology in building human colonies beyond earth. We were skillfully guided by a commander of the International Space Station, a space flight participant, leader of an in-progress spacecraft mission to a near-earth asteroid, and the person under whose leadership NASA successfully landed two rovers on the red planet.