Booster Innovation Fund (BIF)

Booster Innovation Fund (BIF) provides investment funding to take early stage companies to the next stage of development or commercialisation. Our investment at this early stage means the innovations and intellectual property can stay here in New Zealand for longer – so we all benefit.

Many of these innovations will have a positive effect for New Zealand – and globally – with current research leading to medical breakthroughs, new technologies and environmental benefits.

BIF’s initial portfolio of investments includes businesses founded on biotechnology, chemistry, physics, or materials science discoveries, and data analytics. Our portfolio approach to investing reduces specific investment risk as it is expected that some companies will gain in value while others will lose some or all of their value.

You can invest in the Booster Innovation Fund from just $1,000.

Questions? Talk to us.

BIF invests in early stage companies, typically with a science or technology focus. Each business has an interesting product offer, a trusted management team in place and a clear plan to take their product to market.

Investing at this early stage helps to transform their discoveries into products or services that have a real benefit to society. Many start-ups end up looking for overseas investment to help expand their business into new markets.

We want to see these companies realise their growth potential in international markets and enhance their performance by providing them much needed investment capital – allowing these start-ups to stay Kiwi-owned for longer and keeping jobs and intellectual property here.

BIF holds a number of investments directly and through an investment partnership, NZ Innovation Booster (NZIB) – a partnership between Booster, Wellington UniVentures, and Otago Innovation, that directly invests in science and innovation coming out of Victoria University of Wellington and University of Otago.

BIF will continue to build the portfolio by investing in more companies to generate long term returns for investors in our fund.

Some of our KiwiSaver scheme funds also invest a small portion into BIF – so as a Booster KiwiSaver Scheme member, you could be investing in exciting young start-ups just by saving for your retirement!

You can also invest directly into BIF. You only need $1,000 to get started.

Questions? Talk to us.

This fund invests in early stage businesses. Potential returns are uncertain, difficult to predict and can range widely both positively and negatively.

By taking a portfolio approach to investing, Booster Innovation Fund aims to deliver a significant total rate of return (net of fees but before tax) that outperforms the NZX 50 Index over rolling 15-year periods.

Factors that impact the fund's performance include:

• how successful our investments are in turning their ideas into commercialised products
• accessing diverse investment opportunities (making sure we don't have all our eggs in the same basket)
• performance based fees only, with low fixed costs
• how much of the fund's capital is invested vs cash on hand.

Questions? Talk to us.

Early stage company investing requires patience. You may lose some or all of the money you invest, so you should invest only a small portion of your overall investment portfolio in this fund. While you may be able to sell your units on the NZX or directly withdraw from the fund (subject to limitations on cash available for withdrawals and a withdrawal charge), you should only invest money that you do not need access to for a number of years.

Early stage company investing is generally considered the riskiest type of equity investing because many more early stage companies fail than mature companies. It can take many years before a company becomes successful, and most externally funded companies have years of unprofitable activity before they reach the point of making money.

However, those companies that do succeed tend to greatly reward their investors through high returns.

If you're unsure whether this investment is suitable for you, or how much to invest, we recommend you seek professional advice.

Questions? Talk to us.