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Michael Huskilson invests in CDL‑Atlantic, following his father's lead

Posted by Alison Delory on July 22, 2026 in News

Because he (my father) was so heavily involved in CDL-Atlantic, it allowed me to see the benefits and exciting developments happening

After stints working in the Albertaoilsands and then for TD Securities, Michael Huskilson was eager to find opportunities tohelpbuildambitiousideas in Nova Scotia.His transition back to this provincetookfoot in2018 when hepurchasedin Lunenburg, NS.

However,the ideato nurture innovation in his home provincemay have been planted in him earlier, when his father Chris Huskilson became a founding partner of the in 2017, as well asone ofitsmentors.

Michael gestures while emphatically while speaking, seated in a room with a wide window behind him.

Michael watchedhis fatherChris,a prominent Canadian energy executivewho’saPastPresident of Emera Inc.,help ignite this mentorship program.“Because he(my father) was so heavily involved in CDL-Atlantic,it allowed me tosee the benefits and exciting developments happening,” saysMichael.Ashe’sbeen growing ABCO, Michaelsimultaneously has become increasinglyinvolved at CDL-Atlantic.“I got invited to sessions; got my feetwet and[that]sparked a deeper interest in the field”he says.

Exposure to CDL keeps you on your toes and drives you to adapt

Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) is a nonprofit organization and mentorship program for seed-stage, science- and technology-based startups focused on massively scalable ventures. In the nine years since its inception, CDL-Atlantic, located atDalhousie's Faculty of Management, has created partnerships with Atlantic Canada’s leading entrepreneurs, investors, and scientists.

For example, through CDL-Atlantic, Chrisand Michaelbecameearly investorsin, anocean data company that gathersmarine data for clients globally.Michael served as Country Manager for Canada at XOCEAN from 2021 to 2024, helping theIreland-basedcompany establish a strong foothold in North America.

“Getting exposure to the CDL ventures keeps you on your toes and drives you to learn and adapt tonew ideas. Hopefully,your combination of experienceand support helps afounder solve a problem or improve their business.That’swhat makes it fun,”says Michael,addinghis dad feels the same way.

Father and sonshare an interest ininvesting and supportingthe local business ecosystem.Their goal is tohelp othersbuild something big in Nova Scotia.

“We need to create more entrepreneurs and peoplewhothink big not only in Canada, but Nova Scotia,” says Huskilson. Like his father,Michaelsays he, too, wants to pass on learning, experience,and opportunities.In addition to a generous donation Michael is now a mentor, like his father.

It’s one of the best ways to support the economyand job creation.

Dal is “an aggregator of effort and expertise”

To date,CDL-Atlantic has helped foster the development of powerful blue-green technology ventures in collaboration with the Ocean Frontier Institute (OFI),andthe NSERC/Tesla Canada Industrial Research Chair.

As it embarks onayearlongcelebration of its 10thanniversaryMichael saysCDL-Atlanticiscognizantof the increasingly rapid pace of technicaladoption andhas an even moreimportant roleto play in fostering people with ambition and ideas.“It’s one of the best ways to support the economyand job creationgoing forward.”

Michael also reflects onCDL-Atlantic’srelationshipwith Dalhousie’s Faculty of Management as one of the lab’s greatest strengths.

Michael speaks into a microphone seated at a desk with a laptop in front of him.

“Dal has a lot of unparalleled subject matter experts in areas like waste-water studies, batteries, defense,and marine applications,” Michael says.It can respond to what the country and economyneedsto grow and build; he citesrobotics and AI asotherexamples.“Dal’s ability to bring people together—like government and business groups—has also been extremely strong inprevious interactions,” he says, calling Dalan “aggregator of effortand expertise.”

Michael’s path reflects a belief that Nova Scotia’s future will be built by people willing to take risks, share knowledge, and invest in one another. It’s a philosophy he learned at homeand now carries forward at ABCO and CDL‑Atlantic, helping ensure the province’s innovation economy continues to grow in both depth and possibility.