Canadian Cancer Society
The Canadian Cancer Society’s support for the Creative Destruction Lab helps turn academic discoveries into effective cancer care and prevention.
Founded in 1938 as a community organization, the Canadian Cancer Society is Canada’s largest health charity. It began funding cancer research in 1947 and has invested more than $2 billion over the decades—transforming five-year cancer survival rates from 25% in the 1940s to 60% today. The Canadian Cancer Society funds investigations into both rare and common cancers, supporting research into the fundamental biology, diagnostics, treatments, support programs, and ways to prevent
cancer.
The Canadian Cancer Society believes that profound progress is possible when people and organizations work and act together. In 2022, the Canadian Cancer Society identified the University of Toronto’s vibrant innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem as an opportunity to create a massively scalable push for cancer science research. Their generous partnership with the Creative Destruction Lab, founded at the Rotman School of Management, created a new cancer-focused startup stream at the business
accelerator.
The Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) focuses on massively scalable, seed-stage, science- and technology based companies, offering them coaching through nine months of growth-focused milestones. The CDL Cancer stream is prioritizing business ideas focused on cancer prevention and survivorship. Between 10 and 25 ventures per year receive support from the Canadian Cancer Society.
With a track record that includes billions in equity generated by hundreds of startups, including more than 100 in the health arena, the Creative Destruction Lab includes a global network of mentors and connections. Ventures in the CDL Cancer stream enter with great ideas and see their business plans transformed. Their brilliant research insights become practical programs helping people who live with cancer or are at risk of developing the disease.
The Canadian Cancer Society’s support is bringing innovative cancer research from the lab to homes and hospitals, ensuring that effective approaches, based in research, get to people in need