Deadline: November 28, 2025
The NBIF breakthru Startup Pitch Competition 2026 is New Brunswick’s premier startup challenge designed to support bold, innovative founders with early-stage business ideas. This competition offers a unique blend of equity investment, mentorship, coaching, and exposure to investors. With a funding pool of up to US$200,000, the programme empowers entrepreneurs to transform high-potential concepts into thriving business ventures. The NBIF breakthru Startup Pitch Competition 2026 remains a major opportunity for innovators aiming to launch or scale within New Brunswick’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
About the Opportunity
The competition is organised by the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF). It targets early-stage or pre-seed entrepreneurs who possess strong, innovative ideas capable of delivering economic impact in New Brunswick. Through the programme, founders receive access to guidance, business development support, mentorship, and investment readiness training. From the full pool of applicants, NBIF selects three companies for full due diligence. These finalists receive equity investments, including a grand-prize investment and two runner-up investments.
The total available investment is up to US$200,000, split among the selected companies. This support aims to strengthen innovation, job creation, and long-term economic growth within the province.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 19 years old by 28 November 2025.
- Be a resident of New Brunswick, or be part of a team where at least one active member is a resident who will own at least 51% of the business.
- Be legally permitted to start and operate a business in New Brunswick.
- Present a venture that is early-stage, pre-seed, or in the concept/prototype phase, with little or no operating history.
- The startup must be headquartered in New Brunswick.
- The idea must showcase:
- High market potential
- A competitive advantage
- A capable and committed team
- Potential to drive economic impact, including job creation or innovation
Benefits / Award Details
- Equity investment totalling up to US$200,000.
- One grand-prize investment and two runner-up investments.
- Full access to mentorship, coaching, investment readiness programming, and expert support.
- Exposure to investors, judges, and ecosystem partners.
- Opportunities for business development, networking, and long-term partnership building.
Application Requirements / Documents
Participants will be expected to submit:
- An initial application detailing their startup concept and business idea.
- A full business plan submitted by 12 January 2026.
- An investor deck submitted by 23 February 2026.
- Participation in mandatory investment-readiness bootcamps and workshops as scheduled.
Specific required documents may include:
- Executive summary
- Market analysis
- Competitive landscape
- Financial projections
- Founding team information
Timeline / Key Dates
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | 28 October 2025 |
| Application deadline | 28 November 2025 (11:59 PM AST) |
| Bootcamp (for applicants) | 6 December 2025 – Fredericton, NB |
| Business plan submission | 12 January 2026 |
| Semi-finalist Investment Readiness Bootcamp | 6 February 2026 |
| Investor deck submission | 23 February 2026 |
| Finalist pitches | 12 March 2026 |
| Live finale | 19 March 2026 – Fredericton, NB |
How to Apply
Interested entrepreneurs must complete the online application and submit their concept for review. Successful applicants will be invited to participate in the bootcamp and subsequent phases leading to the pitch finale.
Selection Process
NBIF reviews all eligible submissions and selects semi-finalists based on innovation, feasibility, market potential, and economic impact. Three companies advance to full due diligence, leading to the allocation of the grand-prize and runner-up investments. Finalists will pitch live in Fredericton before a panel of evaluators and investors.
Additional Information / Terms
- Ventures must be headquartered in New Brunswick.
- Applicants must demonstrate strong growth potential and the ability to contribute to the region’s economic development.
- Only early-stage or pre-seed businesses are accepted.
- Teams must actively participate in all bootcamps and submit all required documents on schedule.
Host Organisation
The programme is hosted by the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF), an organisation committed to advancing innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development across New Brunswick.
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