NerView Surgical Secures Falcons’ Fortunes 2026 Award for Innovative Nerve Visualization Technology Enhancing Cancer Surgery Safety

by Innovation Factory
April 30, 2026

Press Release Summary: FACIT's Falcons' Fortunes 2026 Pitch Competition

On April 24, 2026, the Falcons' Fortunes pitch competition held by FACIT in Toronto awarded the $100,000 Ernsting Entrepreneurship Award to Mann Parikh, Founder and CEO of NerView Surgical. Parikh impressed the live audience with his presentation on NerveSense™, a real-time nerve visualization system designed to assist surgeons during cancer procedures. This innovative, non-invasive technology aims to accurately locate nerves, thereby minimizing nerve damage and enhancing postoperative recovery for patients.

This year marked the thirteenth edition of the annual event, which showcases a diverse range of cancer-related innovations aimed at improving patient care. Alongside Parikh's win, Dr. Agata Kieliszek, Co-founder of Block Biosciences, won the Audience Choice Award with her work on a brain cancer therapeutic that prevents cancer cells from spreading to the brain.

The event featured a panel discussion led by Jeff Butler, Assistant Deputy Minister from Ontario's Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, emphasizing the province’s commitment to life sciences. Entrepreneurs Zaid Atto (Xpan), Dr. Saumik Biswas (Tenomix), and Dr. Yvonne Bombard (Genetics Adviser) shared their journeys in building cancer-focused start-ups and highlighted the critical resources available for fostering innovation in Ontario's oncology sector.

Panelists stressed the importance of a structured commercialization network to help start-ups thrive. Both Atto and Biswas reflected on the positive impact of their past participation in Falcons’ Fortunes, which provided essential connections and resources, including expertise and funding. The discussion also pointed to FACIT’s support programs, especially the Compass Rose Oncology Fund, which addresses the funding gap for early-stage investments.

Dr. Nicole Baryla, FACIT’s Senior Director of Corporate Affairs, congratulated the winners and all finalists, expressing FACIT’s eagerness to assist these emerging ventures in navigating their entrepreneurial paths and integrating into Ontario’s innovation ecosystem.

Founded to accelerate oncology innovation, FACIT combines industry experience with a robust network of clinician-scientists, benefiting the local economy and healthcare advancements. With over $1.7 billion raised for various initiatives, FACIT aims to continue being a catalyst for cancer breakthroughs.

For more information, visit FACIT's website at facit.ca.

Original Article on Innovation Factory

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Innovation Factory is a business accelerator, dedicated to helping Ontario-based businesses launch, scale, and succeed. Supporting the Brant, Halton, Hamilton and Norfolk regions, we provide start-ups, and scaling companies with advisory services, training, mentorship, and strategic connections to help bring disruptive technologies to market, leverage intellectual property, increase revenues, attract investment and create jobs. Innovation can happen anywhere, our goal is to make it work everywhere. We work to elevate key industry sectors including advanced manufacturing, clean tech, information technology, smart transportation, life sciences & health care and social innovations. We are passionate about driving the growth of Ontario businesses like yours. Whether you are an entrepreneur bringing new ideas to market or a scaling business trying to get to the next level, we want to help.