Falcons’ Fortunes

Overview

Falcons’ Fortunes, now in its 13th year, is an annual pitch competition hosted by FACIT designed to promote and grow entrepreneurship within the cancer research community. It invites entrepreneurs and scientists from Ontario to present their cancer-related innovations to a panel of judges and a live audience. The competition seeks the best pitch that effectively communicates a relatable story, demonstrates the commercial value of the innovation, and outlines its potential impact on patients. The winner of Falcons’ Fortunes is awarded the $100,000 Ernsting Entrepreneurship Award, an investment grant managed through FACIT’s Prospects Fund, subject to due diligence and Board approval. An additional Audience Choice award is presented to the most favored pitch presentation. This event aims to foster a culture of commercialization, translating Ontario-based cancer research discoveries into solutions that benefit patients globally. The competition format involves six finalists, selected from online Innovation Summary submissions, who deliver a 10-minute pitch followed by a 5-minute Q&A session. While scientific rigor is important, the focus is on the quality of the pitch presentation itself, emphasizing clear communication of the problem, solution, market opportunity, differentiation, and the planned use of funds.

What to build

Participants must pitch an Ontario-made cancer innovation with commercial potential, presenting its scientific/technological basis, the unmet need it addresses, target customer, addressable market, key differentiator, commercial value, and how a $100,000 investment would advance it towards patient benefit. The pitch should also consider intellectual property and potential challenges.

Prizes

Key dates

• Deadline to submit Innovation Summary formJanuary 30, 2026
• Announcement of pitch finalistsFebruary 19, 2026
• Pitch preparation webinarMarch 23, 2026
• 1:1 pitch coaching sessionsMarch 30-31, 2026
• Falcons’ Fortunes eventApril 15, 2026

Eligibility

The Falcons’ Fortunes pitch competition is open to any Ontario-based start-up or entrepreneurial researcher who is developing a cancer-related research idea or innovation with commercial potential.

How to enter

1. Submit an online Innovation Summary form.
2. If selected as a finalist, prepare a 10-minute pitch presentation.
3. Appear in-person at the Falcons’ Fortunes event to deliver the pitch and participate in a 5-minute Q&A session.

Submission requirements

• Innovation Summary submission form (online).
• 10-minute pitch presentation (for finalists).
• Availability to appear in-person at the Falcons’ Fortunes event on April 15, 2026.

Judging criteria

• Clarity of technical merits and value proposition.
• Demonstration of an addressable need and market opportunity.
• Demonstration of competitive differentiation.
• Description of the use of proceeds towards commercialization.
• Overall effectiveness and convincing nature of the pitch.

Sponsors & partners

Resources

• Prospects Fund
• Innovation Summary Form (Sample Copy)
• Falcons’ Fortunes Event RSVP
• Contact Ricky Chan