Igniting New Brunswick’s Next Generation of Global Tech Startups

For nearly two decades, the breakthru pitch competition has been one of New Brunswick’s most influential launchpads for early‑stage startups. Long before accelerators and pitch events became common, breakthru carved out a unique space in the ecosystem; a space that allowed people with compelling ideas to take the first concrete step toward building a company.

That remains the heart of the program today.

“breakthru is about turning an idea into a company, and about starting the entrepreneurial journey,” explains NBIF, CEO, Jeff White.

When breakthru launched in 2007, most business competitions stopped at a plan, but breakthru went further. NBIF committed real early‑stage equity, the first food‑and‑water every founder needs and paired that with wraparound support from partners in legal, accounting, advisory, and technical fields.

Jeff shares how this early scaffolding virtually expands the size of the founder’s team at a time when they can’t afford to do it. And while the equity cheque is powerful, it’s only the starting point. Founders also gain access to advisors, potential board members, co‑investors, and accelerators – support that builds the foundation of a resilient company.

Success Stories

breakthru has helped shape some of the province’s most compelling startup journeys.

SmartSkin Technologies, headquartered in Fredericton, is a flagship example. Born from an idea and shaped through breakthru in 2009, the company is now a global leader in packaging and sensor‑management technologies, with customers, employees, and investment from around the world. Their evolution showcases how the idea a founder enters with isn’t always the company that emerges, but breakthru is the vehicle that helps drive the journey.

Winning Isn’t the Only Path to Success

Not every participant enters to win. Jeff recalls a seasoned farmer who joined simply to validate an idea. He didn’t need capital, but he did need clarity. Through coaching, feedback, and structure, he strengthened and pressure‑tested his concept. He left with exactly what he came for: confidence in his direction.

And Jeff emphasizes how breakthru’s value, is far greater than the trophy.

The program is filled with entrepreneurs who didn’t win the competition but went on to scale, raise capital, and become leaders in their fields. TrojAI is led by a founder who jokingly calls himself a three‑time breakthru loser, but is now a significant NBIF portfolio success.

“Winning is not the pathway to success…it might be a step, but it’s not necessary. breakthru fires up the entrepreneurial engine,” Jeff says.

New Brunswick as a Global Testbed

One of Jeff’s strongest messages is the need for New Brunswick to embrace a new mindset and become the first customer for the innovations created here.

Just as we buy local food, we can, and should, buy local technology. Early customers don’t simply purchase a product; they shape it, refine it, and propel it into the global market.

“We can build globally competitive technology here, and the world will buy it,” Jeff explains, reflecting on a business trip early in his career and spotting a McCain’s sign in an Australian stadium, is a reminder that global brands come from here.

What breakthru Means for New Brunswick

After a six‑year hiatus, the 2026 program received a record‑breaking 80 applications. This year’s semi-finalists represent the most diverse cohort in breakthru’s history, ranging from seasoned executives to fourth‑year engineering students.

On March 19, the top five will take the stage to show just how far they’ve come, and where they’re heading next.

When we commit to building local, we accelerate founders, strengthen our economy, and help shape the next generation of companies that will export New Brunswick innovation to the world.

Join us at the breakthru Live Finale, and witness the next wave of world‑class New Brunswick startups take the stage: Breakthru Live Finale – NBIF.