New Brunswick Innovation Foundation

The New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF) is a pivotal non-profit corporation based in Fredericton, Canada, dedicated to fostering innovation and economic growth within the province of New Brunswick. Established with a mandate to support high-growth, innovative companies and cutting-edge research, NBIF acts as a crucial early-stage venture capital investor and research funding agency. Its unique position as a provincial entity allows it to strategically deploy capital to develop a robust innovation ecosystem, focusing on sectors critical to New Brunswick's future, including information technology, life sciences, clean technology, and advanced manufacturing.

NBIF primarily provides seed and early-stage venture capital to promising New Brunswick-based startups. Their typical first cheque sizes range from $50,000 to $500,000, often participating in larger funding rounds alongside private angel investors and other venture capital firms. This co-investment strategy is central to their approach, enabling them to de-risk investments and attract additional private capital into the province. Beyond direct equity investments, NBIF also manages a Research and Commercialization Fund, underscoring its dual commitment to both scientific discovery and its translation into market-ready products and services.

Since its inception in 2003, NBIF has made a significant impact on New Brunswick's economy. The foundation has invested over $100 million directly into more than 100 New Brunswick start-ups and research projects, demonstrating a consistent commitment to nurturing local talent and innovation. These strategic investments have been instrumental in leveraging an additional $400 million from other funding sources, amplifying the capital available for provincial development. NBIF's long-term vision is to create sustainable jobs and build a competitive, knowledge-based economy within New Brunswick, making it a cornerstone of the region's entrepreneurial landscape.