BREATHRU: ACCELERATING CLEANTECH
Breakthru is NBIF’s premier pitch competition event. Breakthru was first launched in 2007 and has supported 100s 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 with Opportunities New Brunswick that aims to grow cleantech innovation and accelerate the commercialization of made-in-New Brunswick clean technologies.
CRITERIA
The competition is open to early-stage New Brunswick companies. Companies should not have raised more than $500,000 (pre-seed stage or earlier).
Companies who apply will be evaluated on the following:
▪A significant and growing global market;
▪An identified target in the market with a clear gap, pain or need;
▪Technological and commercial feasibility of the business venture;
▪Degree of innovation inherent to the business venture;
▪Competitive advantage;
▪Talented team with relevant background; and,
▪The potential for economic impact for New Brusnwick.
COMPETITION PROCESS
The competition replicates the process that an entrepreneur would undertake to solicit funds from outside investors. NBIF judges (TBD) will act as the investors, choosing up to 2 business venture for investment from a group of 5 finalists. In determining the recipient of the equity investment, the judges will evaluate the entire submission and assess the overall merits of the business model, the quality of the idea, the pitch, the Q&A, and the capacity of management to execute on the business goals. Ultimately, the investment recipient(s) will be the participant(s) who is best able to convey the merits of their business venture and their ability to execute on their plan to the judges.
To become a finalist who will pitch at Breakthru: Accelerating Cleantech, on March 18th, 2025, applicants will need to:
1. Submit an application with all the required information by March 10th, 2025*, at 11:59PM. *DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED!
2. The 5 selected companies will be notified by March 11th, 2025.
3. Finalists will be invited to participate in a virtual pitch-coaching session on March 13th, 2025.
The event will feature the selected finalists (5) who will each present a 10-minute pitch and respond to a question-and-answer period of 5 minutes.
APPLICATION
Submissions must be received by NBIF no later than March 10th, 2025, at 11:59PM, using the online form located on the NBIF Application Portal. Paper or email submissions will not be accepted.
Detailed guidelines listed 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, main environmental or sustainability benefit, and funding requirements. The pitch deck should be submitted in PDF format.
Deadline: Applications must be submitted by March 10, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Late submissions will not be considered for evaluation.
Review Process: All applications will undergo a thorough review process conducted by the NBIF team. The evaluation will focus on factors such as innovation, market potential, scalability, and the strength of the founding team.
Shortlisting: 5 companies will be shortlisted to pitch at Breakthru: Accelerating Cleantech event in Fredericton, NB, on March 18th, 2025. They will be notified on or before March 11th, 2025.
BENEFITS TO APPLYING
Investment Opportunities: Selected startups will have the chance to secure up to $50,000 in equity investment from NBIF and other potential investors.
Mentorship: Founders will receive valuable mentorship and guidance from experienced industry leaders to help accelerate their startup's growth.
Networking: The event provides a platform for founders to expand their professional network, connect with potential collaborators, and gain exposure to investors in attendance at the event.
We encourage founders with climate and cleantech related innovative business ideas and a passion for entrepreneurship to take advantage of this opportunity to showcase their startups and take their ventures to the next level.
For any inquiries or assistance regarding the application process, please contact Paul Thornton, Innovation Partnerships Manager, at paul.thornton@nbif.ca
We look forward to receiving your applications and supporting the growth of cleantech startups in New Brunswick!
NBIF Breakthru: Accelerating Cleantech
BREATHRU: ACCELERATING CLEANTECH
Breakthru is NBIF’s premier pitch competition event. Breakthru was first launched in 2007 and has supported 100s 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 with Opportunities New Brunswick that aims to grow cleantech innovation and accelerate the commercialization of made-in-New Brunswick clean technologies.
CRITERIA
The competition is open to early-stage New Brunswick companies. Companies should not have raised more than $500,000 (pre-seed stage or earlier).
Companies who apply will be evaluated on the following:
▪A significant and growing global market;
▪An identified target in the market with a clear gap, pain or need;
▪Technological and commercial feasibility of the business venture;
▪Degree of innovation inherent to the business venture;
▪Competitive advantage;
▪Talented team with relevant background; and,
▪The potential for economic impact for New Brusnwick.
COMPETITION PROCESS
The competition replicates the process that an entrepreneur would undertake to solicit funds from outside investors. NBIF judges (TBD) will act as the investors, choosing up to 2 business venture for investment from a group of 5 finalists. In determining the recipient of the equity investment, the judges will evaluate the entire submission and assess the overall merits of the business model, the quality of the idea, the pitch, the Q&A, and the capacity of management to execute on the business goals. Ultimately, the investment recipient(s) will be the participant(s) who is best able to convey the merits of their business venture and their ability to execute on their plan to the judges.
To become a finalist who will pitch at Breakthru: Accelerating Cleantech, on March 18th, 2025, applicants will need to:
1. Submit an application with all the required information by March 10th, 2025*, at 11:59PM. *DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED!
2. The 5 selected companies will be notified by March 11th, 2025.
3. Finalists will be invited to participate in a virtual pitch-coaching session on March 13th, 2025.
The event will feature the selected finalists (5) who will each present a 10-minute pitch and respond to a question-and-answer period of 5 minutes.
APPLICATION
Submissions must be received by NBIF no later than March 10th, 2025, at 11:59PM, using the online form located on the NBIF Application Portal. Paper or email submissions will not be accepted.
Detailed guidelines listed 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, main environmental or sustainability benefit, and funding requirements. The pitch deck should be submitted in PDF format.
Deadline: Applications must be submitted by March 10, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Late submissions will not be considered for evaluation.
Review Process: All applications will undergo a thorough review process conducted by the NBIF team. The evaluation will focus on factors such as innovation, market potential, scalability, and the strength of the founding team.
Shortlisting: 5 companies will be shortlisted to pitch at Breakthru: Accelerating Cleantech event in Fredericton, NB, on March 18th, 2025. They will be notified on or before March 11th, 2025.
BENEFITS TO APPLYING
Investment Opportunities: Selected startups will have the chance to secure up to $50,000 in equity investment from NBIF and other potential investors.
Mentorship: Founders will receive valuable mentorship and guidance from experienced industry leaders to help accelerate their startup's growth.
Networking: The event provides a platform for founders to expand their professional network, connect with potential collaborators, and gain exposure to investors in attendance at the event.
We encourage founders with climate and cleantech related innovative business ideas and a passion for entrepreneurship to take advantage of this opportunity to showcase their startups and take their ventures to the next level.
For any inquiries or assistance regarding the application process, please contact Paul Thornton, Innovation Partnerships Manager, at paul.thornton@nbif.ca
We look forward to receiving your applications and supporting the growth of cleantech startups in New Brunswick!