NBIF announces finalists for breakthru pitch competition

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    • Five startups have been selected as finalists in the 2026 Breakthru Startup Pitch Competition hosted by the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF).
    • The finalists will pitch live at the Breakthru Live Finale in Fredericton on March 19, competing for up to $200,000 in investment and support.
    • The NBIF breakthru competition highlights emerging New Brunswick startups and helps accelerate commercialization, investment, and innovation in Atlantic Canada.

    NBIF has announced the finalists for the breakthru pitch competition. Five New Brunswick founders will make a pitch at the Fredericton Convention Centre on March 19 for a chance to win $200,000 in equity investment.

    Selected from a competitive field of more than 80 emerging ventures, the five finalists represent a diverse cross-section of high-growth sectors, from clean technology and artificial intelligence to advanced infrastructure, sport technology, and smart hardware.

    Each company will pitch to a live audience for the opportunity to secure equity investment from NBIF and accelerate their growth.

    “The breakthru pitch competition is about identifying companies with the potential to build globally competitive businesses from here in New Brunswick and connecting them with the capital and networks to do it. This year’s finalists demonstrate the strength and ambition of New Brunswick founders. They are tackling real global challenges with scalable solutions.”

    Jeff White, CEO of NBIF

    NBIF finalists for breakthru pitch competition

    • Hexoris (Founder: Lance Keddy) – Developing bio-sourced battery materials that replace oil-derived graphite, reducing carbon impact in electric vehicle supply chains.

    • Ozone (Founder: Michael Doiron) – Developing an intelligent robotic puck-passing system designed to transform hockey training and skill development.

    • Infralytix (Founder: Ethan MacLeod) – Creating advanced bridge weigh-in-motion technology to improve infrastructure monitoring and overweight enforcement with minimal installation. Infralytix is a recipient of Springboard support through our partner, the University of New Brunswick.

    • Urai (Founder: Shanthi Shanmugam) – Building a programmable, real-time voice AI platform that dramatically reduces deployment complexity and cost for enterprises.

    • Mulli Swing Solutions (Founder: Brycen Munroe) – Creating a smart golf grip with embedded sensors that provides real-time feedback to improve swing consistency.

    Finalists were selected through a multi-stage evaluation process that included bootcamps, mentorship, and investor analysis designed to prepare founders for venture-scale growth.

    The breakthru Live Finale is NBIF’s flagship startup event and one of the largest gatherings of investors and innovation leaders in Atlantic Canada. The event will bring together entrepreneurs, business leaders, and ecosystem partners from across the region.

    Tickets and event details are available here.