Creative Destruction Lab and Endless Frontier Labs Info Sessions [event recaps]

More and more accelerator programs are going virtual this year creating a unique opportunity for startups to engage with programs based in different cities and states, without the travel expenses.  In August, Pennovation Works invited a couple of these accelerator programs to host virtual info sessions for our members.  

On August 5, 2020, members of the Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) team hosted one-on-one info sessions for companies interested in learning more about their program, benefits of participating and the application process.  The program launched in 2012 at the Rotman School of Management at University of Toronto.  The program has now expanded with locations across nine different sites globally - with their Fall programs kicking off completely virtual. CDL operates fifteen different streams - from Artificial intelligence to commerce and supply chain. The CDL team was familiar with the Pennovation community, as they visited for an info session last summer.  Cogwear, a PCI Ventures portfolio company, successfully completed the CDL Accelerator and values the connections made throughout their experience.

Endless Frontier Labs (EFL), founded at NYU’s Stern School of Business, is a nine-month performance-based mentoring process. On August 6, 2020, EFL hosted a group info session for PCI Ventures portfolio companies and Pennovation members interested in learning more about their program. Prohibix founder and CEO, Brendan Purcell, was excited to hear EFL was back hosting another info session this summer.  Purcell participated in the 2019 EFL program and said, “ I recommend the program to help refine pitches, business plans and make connections with a very experienced group of mentors.”

Both info sessions sparked interest among our community.  We look forward to hearing which startups get accepted to these excellent programs.