Skip to content
If you need to update your Prescribed Investor Rate (PIR) for the financial year ending 31 March 2024, please do so now. If want to update your PIR for the financial year ending 31 March 2025, please wait until 6 April or after.

Booster Innovation Fund (BIF)

Helping Kiwis to invest in exciting innovation and tech developments happening right here in Aotearoa.

booster-lightbulb-new-zealand

Investing in New Zealand's innovative future

Booster Innovation Fund (BIF) invests in early stage innovation and tech start ups originated, or being developed, right here in New Zealand.

microscope_cmyk_blue_130x130

Invest in cutting edge research and tech development from NZ universities and the private sector.

Lightblub_Digital_Blue

Get on board with early stage tech and innovation start-ups with a minimum investment of $1,000.

Shapes (Inclusion)_Digital_Blue

Access a portfolio of science and technology companies seeking to commercialise their product.

booster-innovation-fund-microscope-new-zealand

Invest in early stage innovation and tech start-ups with global potential

Investing in innovative start-ups

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.

How does Booster Innovation Fund (BIF) work?

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.

What's the return like?

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.

Should I invest in BIF?

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.

What does BIF invest in?

Every Kiwi business BIF invests in shares a common attribute: they each work to solve a breadth of global issues by creating tech-driven solutions, originated or developed here in New Zealand.

Currently, BIF has investments across a range of business innovations in clean-tech and sustainable or renewable materials, and information technology solutions.

what-does-booster-innovation-fund-invest-in-nz

How do I get in and out of BIF?

BIF is listed on the NZX, which means you can choose how you invest in and withdraw from the fund. You can buy or sell units on the NZX or invest directly with Booster. You can also review the NZX price, our unit price and any NZX BIF announcements.

Invest via the NZX

NZX code: BIF

Invest: You can buy units in BIF on the NZX market anytime, as long as there are interested sellers.

Sell: You can sell your units in BIF on the NZX market anytime, as long as there are interested buyers.

Invest directly with Booster

Invest: We accept new investments into BIF at the start of each month. You can apply directly online or through your financial adviser. We'll process your investment on the first business day of the month. The minimum investment amount is $1,000.

Withdraw: The fund will aim to make a limited amount of cash available for withdrawals on a quarterly basis, and will be subject to scaling where required.

The minimum withdrawal request is $500. Any withdrawals from the fund will incur a withdrawal charge of up to 10% of the amount withdrawn and will be subject to scaling if withdrawal requests exceed the cash available for withdrawals. See the Product Disclosure Statement for further details. 

Note: You should regard this investment as not readily redeemable when making your investment decision.

Read the BIF buying and selling FAQs

booster-investement-booster-innovation-fund-boat-new-zealand-zero-jet

Booster Innovation Fund FAQs

How do I get my money out?

Units in the fund are quoted on the NZX main board. This means you may be able to sell your investments on the NZX if there are interested buyers.

The fund will also aim to make a limited amount of cash available for direct withdrawals on a quarterly basis.

Any withdrawals from the fund will incur a withdrawal charge of 10% of the amount withdrawn and will be subject to scaling if withdrawal requests exceed the cash available for withdrawals.

Note: You should regard an investment in this fund as not readily redeemable when making your investment decision.

What tax will I pay?

BIF is a listed portfolio investment entity (Listed PIE).

The amount of tax that the fund pays is calculated at the rate of 28% on its taxable income. The fund’s taxable income includes interest, dividends, and deemed dividends for foreign investments, but excludes capital gains it makes on the sale of its share interests.

What are the risks?

Early stage company investing is generally considered the riskiest type of equity investing because many more early-stage companies fail than mature companies. You may lose some or all of the money you invest.

You should consider whether the degree of uncertainty about the fund’s future performance and returns is suitable for you.

The most significant risk factors that could affect the value of the fund are:

  • How successful our investments are in turning their ideas into commercialised products
  • Investment returns can fluctuate up and down more than traditional investments
  • It can be harder for investors to withdraw or sell their investment easily
  • If the fund invests heavily in a particular sector that suffers a downturn, it could generate negative effects for the fund
  • The value of a start-up business is uncertain and prone to rapid change - both up and down
  • If the fund doesn't attract enough investors, there may not be enough capital available to invest in other businesses to add diversification to the portfolio.

BIF returns and fees

The 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.

We only charge a performance-based fee with no fixed base fee, and there are no contribution fees.

BIF Annual return
Target return rate
(after all fees but before tax)
Outperform NZX 50 Index over rolling 15-year periods
Management Fee
Annual management fee  0%
Other fund admin expenses  0.56%*
Management & admin charges
Withdrawal charge  Up to 10% of the amount withdrawn
Management & admin charges
Performance-based fee  1.0-2.0%*
Capital raising fees  See PDS for info

*Indicative only. The performance-based fee applies when the fund's net return is greater than 10%. A fee of 1-2% would apply where the investment return is 15-20% in a year.

See the Booster Innovation Fund PDS for more details.

Why invest with Booster?

We're here to help

Call us on 0800 336 338

8am – 8pm Monday to Friday