Infralytix Takes Top Prize at NBIF breakthru Live Finale

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23, 2026

Fredericton, NB – A packed room of founders, investors, and startup ecosystem leaders gathered last Thursday for the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation’s (NBIF) breakthru Startup Pitch Competition Live Finale, a high-energy showcase of the province’s most promising early-stage startups.

More than 140 entrepreneurs across 80 companies applied for the 2026 program, and worked to refine their ideas, validate their approach, and prepare to scale.

Infralytix, founded by Dr. Ethan MacLeod was awarded the $100,000 grand prize for his work with advanced bridge weigh-in-motion technology, to improve infrastructure monitoring and overweight enforcement with minimal installation. Infralytix uses data to help infrastructure owners make better decisions about roads and critical assets, bringing a faster, more modern approach to infrastructure management. Infralytix also took home the $2,500 Viewer’s Choice Award, receiving the most in room votes following the five live pitches.

The $50,000 first runner-up prize went to Shanthi Shanmugam and Vagmi Mudumbai of Urai AI Corp., who are building a programmable AI platform that makes AI agents simple, interpretable and cost-effective for AI-forward companies.

Mulli Swing Solutions, co-founded by Brycen Munroe, Alex Khoshbakhtian, and Ethan Belliveau earned the $50,000 second runner-up prize for their technology designed to help athletes improve performance through real-time swing feedback and training insights.

“What matters most is the belief, the ambition, and the courage of founders who chose to build here. This is what momentum looks like. This is how you change a province,” said Jeff White, CEO of NBIF. “What we saw on stage at breakthru live are companies with real potential to scale, and that’s where this starts.”

As they move forward, these founders join a growing group of New Brunswick startups building globally relevant companies from right here at home.

Collectively, NBIF-backed companies are generating more than $140 million in annualized revenue and employ over 800 people across the province, a clear signal that globally competitive companies are being built right here in New Brunswick.

The 2026 breakthru Live Finale marked a key milestone – turning early ideas into companies with the potential to scale, attract investment, and create lasting impact.

MEDIA INQUIRIES

Nicole Vair
Director, Communications, NBIF
T: 506-910-1756
E: Nicole.Vair@nbif.ca