Creative Destruction Lab vs DMZ
How Creative Destruction Lab and DMZ compare on investment, equity, format, stage and timing. Every figure comes from the programs' own sites, verified November 4, 2026.
| Creative Destruction Lab | DMZ | |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | None | Not published |
| Equity | No equity | Not published |
| Deal terms | Nonprofit: no investment, no equity taken, no fees. Founders negotiate any investment directly with investors who are mentors in the program. Third-party sources state there is no stipend. | No equity or investment terms are published for the Incubator. DMZ Ventures is a separate for-profit investment arm. |
| Format | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Headquarters | Toronto, Canada | Toronto, Canada |
| Stage | pre-seed, seed | pre-seed, seed |
| Sectors | deep tech, ai, climate, health, energy, agrifood, robotics, web3, biotech | general, b2b saas |
| Duration | One program year, roughly fall to spring | 18 months (Incubator); 9 months (Pre-Incubator) |
| Application cycle | Annual (one program year) | Rolling; Pre-Incubator takes 2 intakes a year |
Investment is the full standard package; where part of it is an uncapped SAFE, the equity stake covers only the fixed part (see deal terms). Terms change; confirm on each official site before applying.
About
Creative Destruction Lab
Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) is a nonprofit, objectives-based program for seed-stage, science- and technology-based startups, founded at the University of Toronto's Rotman School. Founders meet experienced mentors and investors in sessions over a program year. The program runs subject-specific streams such as AI, Quantum, Climate, Health, Space and Defence at sites in Canada, the US, Europe, Australia and Qatar. CDL takes no equity and charges no fees.
Notable alumni: Ada, Atomwise, Deep Genomics, Eavor Technologies, Notch
About
DMZ
DMZ is a tech incubator at Toronto Metropolitan University. Its flagship Incubator is an 18-month program that helps startups become investor-ready, and its 9-month Pre-Incubator helps early startups land their first customers. It offers coaching, investor and customer access, and legal support, and has a separate investment arm, DMZ Ventures. DMZ says more than 800 of its startups have raised $3.25B.
Notable alumni: Metronome, Mejuri, Hostaway, Super.com, Chexy
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