The New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF) is excited to announce the return of Breakthru – NBIF’s Startup Pitch Competition. Breakthru was first launched in 2007 and has supported hundreds of entrepreneurs. It provides a unique opportunity for up-and-coming companies and innovators to showcase their solutions, raise their profile, and secure early funding on their path to launching a tech startup.
This year, as part of our Climate Impact Fund, we are inviting CLEANTECH INNOVATORS located in New Brunswick to apply to pitch to a panel of investors at Breakthru: Accelerating Cleantech. The event will feature a pitch competition as well as dynamic panel discussions on startup up support and unlocking cleantech innovation.
DATE: Wednesday, March 18, 2025
TIME: 1:00-5:30PM
LOCATION: Delta Fredericton
COMPETITION: Up to five (5) startups will have the opportunity to pitch
PRIZE: Two (2) startups will have the chance to secure up to $50,000 in equity investment from NBIF.
TICKETS: For anyone who would like to attend, get your ticket by March 14th via Eventbrite: $49 OR $29 for students. Those selected to pitch will receive free admission.
Please share this opportunity with cleantech founders and innovators in your network.
ARE YOU A CLEANTECH FOUNDER?
If you are interested in pitching at Breakthru: Accelerating Cleantech, please review the Participants Guidelines carefully before submitting your application on the NBIF Application Portal.
DON’T MISS OUT – APPLY TODAY
Participation can benefit you and your startup:
• Investment Opportunities: Two (2) startups will have the chance to secure up to $50,000 in equity investment from NBIF.
• Pitch coaching: Shortlisted companies will have an opportunity to get feedback on their pitches and refine their investment asks through a virtual coaching session with NBIF and other ecosystem partners.
• Mentorship: The winning participant(s) will have the opportunity to secure additional guidance accelerating their commercialization and fundraising journey from NBIF. Note: NBIF has a funding partnership with Foresight Canada as a sponsor of their accelerator programming. Based on this partnership, winning companies will be directed to Foresight to determine if the winners are eligible to participate in this sponsored accelerator program.
• Networking: Expand your professional network, connect with potential collaborators and support agencies, and gain exposure to the broader New Brunswick innovation community.
We encourage all early-stage companies offering a technology or solution with a sustainability or environmental benefit to apply; innovators who have yet to incorporate are encouraged to contact NBIF to learn more.
Who: New Brunswick based early-stage companies or innovators who are developing a solution that has a sustainability impact.
Stage: The company must be pre-seed stage or earlier. Pre-seed stage to be defined as raised less than $500,000 of capital.
Not yet incorporated but actively exploring commercialization of your technology? Please reach out to Paul Thornton paul.thornton@nbif.ca to learn more about opportunities available to you.
Application Deadline: March 3, 11:59PM
Shortlist is Notified: March 7
Pitch Day: March 18*
*The five (5) finalists MUST be available to pitch in-person in Fredericton on March 18th, 2025.
Details: Detailed application process is outlined in the Participant Guidelines.
Application Form: Interested founders should complete the online application located on the NBIF Application Portal. The form will require essential details about the company, including its founders, product/service offering, market opportunity, and current stage of development.
Investor Pitch Deck: Along with the application form, founders should submit a concise pitch deck outlining key aspects of their business, such as problem statement, solution, target market, traction achieved, business model, and funding requirements. The pitch deck should be submitted in PDF format.
Deadline: Applications must be submitted by March 3rd, 2025, at 11:59PM Late submissions will not be considered.
Review Process: All applications will undergo a thorough review process conducted by the NBIF team or other external reviewers who may have domain or other relevant expertise. The evaluation will focus on factors such as innovation, market potential, scalability, and the strength of the founding team.
Shortlisting: A total of up to 5 companies will be shortlisted to pitch at Breakthru: Accelerating Cleantech. They will be notified on or before March 7th, 2025.
The Event: On March 18th, shortlisted founders (up to 5) will have the opportunity to present their business ideas to a panel of investors and industry experts in a pitch competition style event. Founders will have a maximum of 10-minutes to pitch. Each presentation will be followed by a 5-minute Q&A session.
Selection: Final selection of the companies eligible to enter into due diligence for the SAFE investment and mentorship will be made based on the pitch presentations, Q&A sessions, and overall evaluation by the panel using a scoring matrix.
QUESTIONS?
For any inquiries or assistance regarding the application process, contact Paul Thornton, paul.thornton@nbif.ca.
Please share this opportunity with cleantech founders and innovators in your network.
Breakthru is NBIF’s premier pitch competition event. Breakthru was first launched in 2007 and has supported hundreds of entrepreneurs throughout our almost 20 years of startup competition history. Breakthru is an opportunity for up-and-coming companies and innovators to showcase their solutions, raise their profile, and secure early funding on their path to launching a tech startup.
Breakthru: Accelerating Cleantech is part of NBIF’s Climate Impact Fund, a partnership between NBIF and OpportunitiesNB. The fund was established to accelerate innovation and commercialization of cleantech and emissions reduction technology in New Brunswick. This strategic initiative contributes to the province’s economic growth and competitiveness by supporting New Brunswick’s startups and small and medium-sized enterprises through the transition to a low-carbon economy.