Corporate Objectives

NBIF is an independent corporation that supports the development of innovation in New Brunswick. Our mandate is to strengthen the innovation capacity of New Brunswick by making investments in applied research and new growth-oriented businesses.

Since its inception in 2003, NBIF has invested more than $32 million and has leveraged $210 million more in other funding to support innovation in New Brunswick. As a catalyst for innovation, our leveraging ratio currently stands at 7:1--exceeding our longstanding goal of 5:1. As at March 31, 2011, the foundation has invested in 279 research projects and helped to create 49 private sector companies, 20 of which remain in our active portfolio. Plus our funding has helped to bring 45 new professors and researchers to the province, create 51 new research technician and associate positions, and employ over 700 student research assistants.

The continuum along which innovation occurs is incredibly dynamic. From conception to development, prototype creation, and testing, innovations require large infusions of capital over several years before they are fully commercialized. To work, however, that continuum has to be financially sustained, and there’s a critical point along it when that gets incredibly strained:  when the innovation is ready to make the leap from research project to enterprise.

Large amounts of public funding are available for researchers to get started. Large amounts of capital are also available for companies when they reach their growth stage, after they have taken flight. Banks make loans, and stock markets offer IPOs. What about that fledgling point in between? Very little.

That’s where we come in. Both our Research Innovation Fund (RIF) and our Venture Capital Fund (VCF) fill that financial gap to keep the continuum strong. On the research side, the RIF is aimed at activities like concept validation, prototype creation and bench testing. On the enterprise side, the VCF helps to get that research into the hands of seasoned entrepreneurs, seeding new companies with equity capital.

At NBIF, we make sure that there is a bridge to cross when innovators reach the financial gap between R&D and enterprise.

It’s what makes us unique.

Strategic Priorities

Applied Research & Commercialization
NBIF supports applied research by funding projects that show potential for commercialization and economic impact on the province, its universities, community colleges and research organizations.

Enterprise Creation & Development
NBIF supports the creation and development of entrepreneurial ventures by offering equity capital, professional support, and networking opportunities to companies that focus on innovation to grow.

Venture Capital
NBIF supports New Brunswick’s capital markets by providing venture capital and attracting other equity and venture capital investors to the province.

Talent Development
NBIF supports the retention, recruitment, and development of the brightest innovators and entrepreneurs by providing them with the funding, expertise, recognition and encouragement they need to succeed.