NBIF Startup Investment Fund

The Startup Investment Fund (SIF) offers up to $200,000 in pre-seed equity investment for eligible New Brunswick companies to validate the commercial potential of their innovative ideas or products. This funding aims to support businesses in New Brunswick as they focus on developing, refining, and commercializing their technologies or services.

The Startup Investment Fund (SIF) is specifically designed to empower innovative New Brunswick startups by providing crucial financial support at the pre-seed stage. The fund delivers up to $200,000 in equity investments, which can take the form of preferred shares, common shares, or convertible debentures, providing a flexible solution to meet the unique needs of nascent businesses. This initial capital injection is focused on enabling founders to establish a foundation that demonstrates their product's commercial viability, with key indicators including gaining early adopters, generating initial revenue, or securing other forms of non-dilutive capital such as grants or loans.

The SIF isn't merely a source of capital; it acts as a strategic partner in your startup journey. With robust expectations for scalability and intellectual property potential, the fund targets businesses with globally relevant innovations that can tap into large, addressable markets. A strong emphasis is placed on the quality and expertise of the founding team, ideally comprising well-rounded co-founders and management situated in New Brunswick, possessing both domain and technical expertise essential for driving the business forward.

This fund also recognizes the significance of establishing a durable business runway. By supporting applicants with a minimum forecast of 12-18 months of operational longevity and requiring three-year financial projections, the SIF ensures startups are compelled to strategically plan their financial and operational future. Moreover, these projections offer a granular view of monthly operations in the first year followed by quarterly insights, facilitating clear and comprehensive financial planning vital for subsequent rounds of investment.

The overall goal of the SIF is to set companies on a trajectory towards future growth and sustainability, preparing them for subsequent rounds of financing such as seed or Series A funding. Startups that display a clear path with well-defined milestones are more likely to attract further investment, thereby maximizing their chances of scaling efficiently and successfully.

Beyond financing, the SIF provides unparalleled support through strategic partnerships that offer significant discounts on essential services like AWS credits, accounting software, and CRM systems, thus enhancing operational efficiencies. This thoughtful suite of support includes up to $100,000 in AWS credits over a year and substantial discounts on sales and marketing tools, which are crucial for customer acquisition and retention strategies. Additionally, the SIF extends marketing and sales training to arm startups with the necessary skills to thrive in their respective markets.

As an involved and proactive partner, the SIF team offers guidance with financial projections and investor presentations while integrating startups into a vast network of potential partners and mentors. This holistic approach not only provides the financial means but also the strategic expertise needed to transform promising ideas into commercially successful ventures. By fostering such an environment of mentorship and support, the SIF paves the way for startups to reach significant milestones and achieve long-term success in the competitive global market.