Creative Destruction Lab (CDL)

The Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) is a seed-stage acceleration program founded in 2012 at the Rotman School of Management in Toronto, Canada. It is dedicated to supporting massively scalable, science- and technology-based ventures by providing a unique coaching process focused on specific objectives. CDL connects startups with experienced entrepreneurs and leading scientists across various sectors, including artificial intelligence, healthcare, quantum computing, blockchain, energy, and cleantech. The program has expanded its reach, operating in six cities: Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, and New York City, and emphasizes the commercialization of scientific and technological advancements.

Rob Barbara

Associate

Charles Conn

Associate

Todd Crescenzo

Associate

Mark Evans

Associate

Bernard W. Gray

Associate

Bettina Hamelin

Associate

Christophe Jurczak

Associate

Patrick Kappel

Venture Manager, Space stream

Sue Marks

Associate

Oliver Plunkett

Associate

Jay Rhind

Associate

KJELL SKAPPEL

Founding Partner and Associate

Katharine Tomko

Associate

Tony Bommel

Associate

Past deals in Internet of Things

Lunar Outpost

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
Lunar Outpost is a company dedicated to advancing technology that facilitates sustainable human presence in space, particularly on the lunar surface. It specializes in the development of innovative robotics, including a moon rover designed for autonomous swarm navigation and capable of carrying diverse payloads. Additionally, the company creates Internet of Things (IoT) air quality sensors that monitor and respond to local air quality conditions. This technology not only supports lunar exploration but also aims to have a positive impact on Earth, enabling governments, companies, and communities to establish a sustainable presence in space.

Last Lock

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
Founded in 2019 and based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Last Lock specializes in transforming traditional mechanical locks into smart, secure access solutions. The company's innovative smart cylinders incorporate electronic sensors that scan and store key profiles, enabling digital management and tracking of access. Last Lock offers self-powered battery cylinders, preferred access methods, and control systems for both residential and commercial applications.

Kraken Sense

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
Kraken Sense develops an automated pathogen detection platform that uses cutting-edge nanotechnology and IoT-enabled dashboard for real-time bacterial contamination monitoring.

Inchfab

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
Inchfab develops proprietary microchip manufacturing tools and provides a microfabrication platform that supports prototyping and low-volume production for semiconductor and micromechanical IoT chips. The tools are designed for cost-effectiveness and scalability, enabling clients to design and manufacture customized microchips and MEMS devices at small production volumes.

Breezi.io

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
Breezi.io, Inc. specializes in developing and manufacturing wireless devices designed to monitor and detect issues within heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. One of its key products, AirPulse, enables users to assess the condition of air filters and other HVAC components, allowing for proactive maintenance. The company serves both residential and commercial customers, helping them to identify potential problems before they escalate. Founded in 2016, Breezi.io is headquartered in Pittsboro, North Carolina, and aims to enhance the functionality of smart homes through innovative technology.

InfiSense

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
InfiSense offers a remote, real-time wireless sensing platform that leverages LoRaWAN technology. It enables businesses to collect and analyze data cost-effectively, expand service offerings, and integrate data with various analytics applications or business intelligence tools.

Flox

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
Flox.ai, founded in 2018 and based in London, United Kingdom, specializes in artificial intelligence technology aimed at enhancing the welfare of broiler chickens and optimizing poultry farming efficiency. The company offers a comprehensive monitoring platform that incorporates various tools, including Flox-cam, which streams images from multiple cameras to monitors and smartphones; FLOX-box, an AI processor; and FLOX-alert, a tracking system for smothering and bird activities. By analyzing data from cameras, sensors, and activity monitors, Flox provides real-time insights into individual bird health, behavior, and environmental conditions. This technology empowers poultry farmers to identify and address issues promptly, ultimately improving bird welfare and increasing productivity on farms.

Dynami Battery Corp

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
Dynami Battery Corp is a technology company focused on developing customized battery solutions tailored to specific product designs rather than adapting products to fit standard battery sizes. Founded in March 2017 and headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with an office in Washington, DC, Dynami specializes in creating batteries for a variety of applications, including the Internet of Things (IoT), wearable technology, sensors, and medical devices. The company utilizes regional resources and advanced engineering to develop proprietary battery technologies and manufacturing processes. Dynami's innovations offer scalable, cost-effective solutions, enabling industries such as electric vehicles, aerospace, and consumer electronics to benefit from fast-charging batteries with extended lifecycles.

Hydromea

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
Hydromea develops portable underwater robotics systems that provide access to submerged assets and data. The company offers a scalable multi-robot inspection and sensing system that can be permanently deployed at sea or launched from mobile autonomous craft and remotely tasked to carry out regular inspections, environmental measurements and emergency response. Its in-house sensors can be integrated on drones to deliver faster underwater data collection both onshore and offshore, enabling companies to obtain valuable insights at lower cost. The solution emphasizes portability, affordability and ruggedness to withstand harsh underwater environments.

Remora

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
Remora is a technology company based in San José, Costa Rica, focused on improving sustainability in the seafood industry through innovative solutions for traceability and conservation. The company offers a range of products including a Vessel Monitoring System, which is an IoT geolocation device that tracks fishing boats and analyzes their activities in relation to permits and fuel usage. Additionally, Remora's Fishing Data Platform integrates data from various sources to provide insights into fisheries management, fishing efforts, and consumer behaviors. Their Smart Scale transforms fishing landing centers into intelligent spaces, while the WHATSFISH mobile application fosters connections between fishermen and consumers to promote sustainable practices. By implementing catch documentation schemes, Remora aims to enhance the sustainability of marine resources and address pressing marine conservation challenges. The company's commitment to innovation was recognized when it won first prize at the Fishackathon in Costa Rica in 2016, an event supported by the US Department of State.

Komfort IQ

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
Komfort IQ develops an HVAC energy efficiency system for commercial buildings that uses artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and machine learning to optimize heating and cooling across spaces while delivering personalized temperatures throughout the day. By treating HVAC as the largest component of building energy use, the system aims to reduce energy consumption and electricity costs for offices without sacrificing occupant comfort. The platform coordinates climate control across zones, learns individual preferences, and adjusts setpoints in real time as occupancy and conditions change, enabling more sustainable and cost-efficient operations.

Krucial (formerly R3 IoT Limited)

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
R3 IoT enables organisations to access their critical operational data by automating the collection of sensor data. This data is transferred from remote operations to the cloud via satellite providing business leaders and operational management the capability to make better decisions and reduce inefficiencies.

Cipher Skin

Grant in 2020
Cipher Skin Inc. is a technology company based in Denver, Colorado, founded in 2014. The company specializes in wearable technology that utilizes innovative mesh sensors to conform to the human body, enabling precise measurement and monitoring of vital data. Cipher Skin's platform captures three-dimensional motion data and biosignals, such as heart rate and oxygen saturation, without the need for cameras or bulky equipment. This technology provides actionable insights that can be trusted, allowing physical therapists and trainers to develop safe and effective programs by accurately assessing complex movements, particularly in the upper limbs. Through its advancements, Cipher Skin aims to create the largest and most accurate data DNA platform of the physical world.

ThermoAI

Non Equity Assistance in 2020
ThermoAI optimizes industrial combustion processes using proprietary machine learning algorithms. Its systems continuously monitor factors such as moisture content, atmospheric pressure, and air intake levels, adjusting them in real-time to achieve near-perfect combustion. This results in fuel savings, increased energy output, extended equipment lifespan, and reduced emissions.

i-5O

Non Equity Assistance in 2020
i-5O is a developer of an artificial intelligence-based operations management platform aimed at enhancing production output for manufacturers. The company’s technology aggregates and analyzes data from various Internet of Things sources, providing insights into key performance metrics such as labor efficiency, capacity utilization, and processing times. This enables manufacturers to make informed decisions and quickly identify and address inefficiencies in their operations. i-5O envisions a future where humans and machines collaborate effectively, ensuring that advancements in robotics and automation lead to meaningful improvements in productivity and performance.

Sonus Microsystems

Non Equity Assistance in 2020
Sonus Microsystems specializes in the development of innovative ultrasound transducers, crafted from polymer materials. They offer customizable linear and matrix array transducers, primarily for consumer ultrasound applications. Their technology, distinguished by its size, flexibility, and customizability, expands the possibilities of ultrasound imaging, surpassing traditional piezoelectric or silicon-based transducers. Notably, Sonus Microsystems is developing a wearable cardiac ultrasound imaging device, harnessing advanced polymer micro-electromechanical systems transducers and AI-driven analysis. This device aims to facilitate real-time cardiac insights, enabling timely interventions for patients with cardiovascular conditions and enhancing diagnostic precision in remote monitoring scenarios.

Bibu Labs

Non Equity Assistance in 2020
Dynamic Defence Against Cyber Attacks for IoT

aDolus Technology

Seed Round in 2020
aDolus Technology develops a cybersecurity platform designed to enhance the security of industrial and medical systems. The company's innovative solution generates Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs) from software binaries, allowing for the analysis of vulnerabilities, malware, and obsolescence within software components. By providing a risk score for software used in regulated and sensitive industries, aDolus enables organizations to detect counterfeit components and assess third-party risks, thereby safeguarding critical infrastructure. With a growing database of 32 million records and a vendor-agnostic approach, aDolus is positioned to address the urgent need for security solutions in a rapidly expanding market, particularly for the Internet of Things (IoT) and Industrial Control Systems (ICS). As the security landscape evolves with increasing regulatory demands and the proliferation of connected devices, aDolus aims to capitalize on significant opportunities across various sectors, including energy, transportation, medical, and defense.

Joyride

Non Equity Assistance in 2019
Joyride is a company that provides a connected mobility platform for micromobility operators. It offers turnkey software for dockless bike‑share and electric scooter fleets, including a white‑label mobile app for riders and a web dashboard for operators. Features include keyless access, remote tracking, geofencing, battery monitoring, payment processing, predictive maintenance, in‑app safety, user engagement, real‑time analytics, and customer support. Joyride powers operators in more than 100 markets and can launch fleets within 24 hours, scaling from small to large fleets.

Symroc

Non Equity Assistance in 2019
Symroc develops a real-time IoT broadband seismic and vibration remote sensing system. This system combines hardware, connectivity, and data analysis components to provide wireless, high-accuracy insights for earthquake monitoring, infrastructure assessment, and proactive maintenance.

Sobie Systems

Non Equity Assistance in 2019
Sobie Systems is a technology company specializing in IoT devices for HVAC systems. Their core product is a real-time monitoring device that connects directly to furnace control boards, transmitting error codes and enabling swift identification and resolution of potential issues. This not only enhances system efficiency and occupant comfort but also ensures safety by mitigating carbon monoxide risks.

Razzberry

Non Equity Assistance in 2019
Razzberry is creating breakthrough technologies in microsensing to change the way we interact with ourselves and our world.

LifeBooster

Non Equity Assistance in 2019
LifeBooster develops predictive injury risk technology for enterprise health and safety, combining wearable IoT devices, data analytics, and cloud-based risk analytics to assess body posture and movements and predict risks across an entire workforce. Its Senz platform digitizes and automates risk assessment workflows to prioritize mitigation and prevent injuries, illnesses, and safety incidents. The company serves enterprise users in health and safety, workers' compensation, and risk management, and collaborates with industry partners to implement standardized risk assessment practices. By enabling proactive risk mitigation, LifeBooster aims to reduce workplace risks and help workers stay safe on the job.

Ondaka

Seed Round in 2019
Ondaka is a technology company founded in 2017 and based in Palo Alto, California, specializing in high-resolution 3D visualizations for the oil and gas sector, as well as heavy equipment industries. The company focuses on delivering interactive visual understanding and contextualized data to facility engineers and project stakeholders, enhancing their ability to manage remote assets effectively. Ondaka's platform integrates asset visualization, AI-driven data surfacing, and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, allowing clients to access mission-critical information quickly. This innovative approach helps clients save time and improve safety by providing intuitive data management tools tailored to the demands of heavy industry and critical infrastructure. Ondaka has established a diverse client base that includes major operators and oilfield service companies, addressing needs across various operational stages, from well pads to pipelines and refineries.

Mentore.ai

Seed Round in 2019
Iterate Labs is a developer of a smart wearable device used to track relevant hand and wrist actions for workplace safety. Its device is a smart glove that collects and analyzes biomechanics data to alert workers and managers of injury risk and fatigue that enable health and safety officers to monitor and prevent workplace injuries through sensors and data analytics.

SensiML

Seed Round in 2019
SensiML Corporation is a software company based in Beaverton, Oregon, founded in 2017. It focuses on providing an end-to-end software suite designed for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and developers in the Internet of Things (IoT) and wearable device sectors. SensiML's platform enables users to develop pattern matching sensor algorithms using machine learning and artificial intelligence, specifically optimized for ultra-low power consumption. The software allows for rapid creation of customizable, learning sensor algorithms that operate autonomously on embedded devices, eliminating the need for extensive coding or data science expertise. By streamlining the development process from data collection to algorithm generation and testing, SensiML transforms raw sensor data into meaningful insights, enhancing the capabilities of IoT devices. As of January 2019, SensiML operates as a subsidiary of QuickLogic Corporation.

MesoMat

Non Equity Assistance in 2018
MesoMat specializes in developing lightweight plastic fibers that serve as strain sensors, monitoring fatigue and fracture in critical materials. Their sensing fibers, integrated with custom electronics and software, enable real-time condition-based monitoring to prevent failures. These fibers can be embedded into various high-strain environments.

Variense

Non Equity Assistance in 2017
Variense is a startup based in Montreal that offers Industrial IoT sensing solutions.

Mysa

Non Equity Assistance in 2017
Mysa is a developer of innovative high-voltage smart thermostats designed to optimize home heating while reducing energy costs. The company offers a fully featured thermostat that includes smart learning capabilities, which can lead to approximately 15% savings on energy bills. Mysa's Wi-Fi-enabled devices allow homeowners to monitor and control their home’s temperature remotely through a smartphone app, providing convenience and efficiency. Additionally, the thermostats utilize location tracking to identify and address any appliances that may be left on when the house is unoccupied. Mysa also generates detailed energy reports that inform users about their daily energy consumption and potential utility expenses. The thermostats seamlessly integrate with popular smart home platforms, including Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit, enhancing their utility and user experience.

Instantia Labs

Non Equity Assistance in 2017
Instantia Labs provides an IoT water meter device that allows to monitor water quality, leaks, and usage in real time.

InnerSpace

Non Equity Assistance in 2017
InnerSpace Technologies Inc., established in 2014 and headquartered in Toronto, Canada, specializes in indoor mapping and navigation solutions. It offers a turnkey platform that automatically generates maps and locates people and objects within indoor spaces using advanced mapping technology, smartphone-compatible sensors, and machine learning. The company's location-as-a-service provides contextual maps and positioning data on a subscription basis, catering to both enterprise and consumer needs. With a global presence, InnerSpace serves clients primarily in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Canada, helping them make informed decisions about space utilization and corporate real estate.

Elevated Signals

Non Equity Assistance in 2017
Elevated Signals provides a digital operations platform for regulated industries, combining IoT-enabled cultivation environment management with real-time data capture, traceability, and flexible workflows across production, quality, and finance. The cloud-based platform supports seed-to-harvest cultivation, compliant record keeping for Health Canada GPP/GMP, cultivar-specific workflow management, high-resolution environmental monitoring linked to plant IDs, and reporting and analytics. It serves cannabis, nutraceutical, food and beverage manufacturers, helping them optimize controlled environments, achieve audit readiness, avoid waste, and scale operations. Founded in 2016 and based in Vancouver, it aims to streamline end-to-end batch production tracking and compliance reporting with a central source of truth accessible across departments.

EZ-Robot

Non Equity Assistance in 2017
EZ-Robot Inc. is a Calgary-based company founded in 2011 that specializes in developing an integrated robot and IoT platform aimed at facilitating technology education across various levels, from middle school to industry professionals. The company provides innovative educational tools designed to teach STEAM-related concepts and skills, fostering lifelong learning and problem-solving abilities. By utilizing robotics as a medium, EZ-Robot inspires students to engage with technology through practical applications and creative content, making the learning process more accessible and effective.

SensorUp

Non Equity Assistance in 2017
SensorUp is a Calgary-based company that develops and operates an Internet of Things platform for connecting devices, data, and applications. The SensorUp platform provides sensor data, analytics, and mapping APIs that enable IoT devices to interoperate with the SensorUp Cloud and with third-party web applications. The company offers an open and unified approach to interconnect IoT components across networks, allowing enterprises to aggregate data from multiple systems and transform it into actionable insights. Its Smart Cities Starter Kit focuses on air quality monitoring, while its broader platform supports movement intelligence and operational visibility for asset-heavy industries. The platform uses data analytics and artificial intelligence to rapidly collect and analyze IoT data for monitoring and decision-making, including emissions-related initiatives such as methane detection and repair to support compliance with reporting standards. SensorUp's offerings aim to improve safety, productivity, and efficiency by enabling connected workers and automated workflows across industries.

Noze

Non Equity Assistance in 2017
Noze specializes in digital odor perception technology, aiming to replicate the human sense of smell digitally. Utilizing advanced machine learning and an innovative sensor based on NASA technology, Noze detects and identifies odors with precision. Their primary goal is to improve patient outcomes by enabling real-time disease detection through breath-based biomarkers at any point-of-care.

Tenstorrent

Non Equity Assistance in 2016
Tenstorrent designs and manufactures AI hardware and software for data processing and machine learning tasks. The company develops application-specific integrated circuit processors that enable scalable deep learning, with architectures designed to be software-programmable and adaptable from battery-powered IoT devices to cloud servers. Its processors target training and inference workloads, delivering computational performance for developers and researchers in artificial intelligence. Founded in 2016, Tenstorrent is based in Toronto with an additional office in Austin, Texas.

Grobo

Non Equity Assistance in 2015
Grobo specializes in developing fully automated grow boxes designed for home use, utilizing Internet of Things (IoT) technology to facilitate smart gardening. Their systems employ artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimize plant growth, enhancing yields while reducing growth times. The automated grow boxes feature personalized, app-controlled automatic watering and LED lighting systems, enabling users to cultivate high-quality food and medicinal plants in a virtual indoor environment. By integrating technology into the growing process, Grobo empowers individuals to take control of their health by simplifying the cultivation of safe and fresh plants at home.

Kepler Communications

Non Equity Assistance in 2015
Kepler Communications designs, develops, and operates satellite networks for global connectivity. It specializes in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, PolarConnect for extreme environments, Global Data Service for large data transfers, and everywhereIOT for IoT devices. Serving industries such as maritime, natural resources, research, defense, and logistics.

PetBot

Non Equity Assistance in 2014
PetBot develops an internet-connected pet care system that enables remote monitoring and interaction with pets. Founded in 2013, the company is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.
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