NerView is a cutting-edge medtech startup focused on improving surgical outcomes by reducing accidental nerve injuries. Founded by Mann Parikh while completing his undergraduate studies at McMaster University, NerView uses advanced polarized light imaging technology to enhance nerve visualization during surgery. The company aims to address a critical gap in surgical precision, ultimately improving patient recovery and quality of life.

We spoke with Mann Parikh to understand how Elevate IP played a crucial role in shaping NerView’s intellectual property (IP) strategy and supporting its growth.

Why IP Was Important to NerView

From the outset, Parikh recognized that NerView’s core value lay in its intellectual property. The company’s innovation—adapting proven polarized light imaging techniques for broader surgical applications—needed to be protected to secure its competitive advantage. However, as a newly incorporated startup, funding a comprehensive IP strategy was a significant challenge.

“In the early stages, the only real asset or value a medtech company has is its IP. Without Elevate IP, we wouldn’t have had the resources to take the necessary steps to protect our technology,” said Parikh.

How NerView Used Elevate IP

NerView engaged with Elevate IP in late 2023 through the Innovation Factory incubator. As one of the first companies to participate in the program, NerView worked through Elevate IP’s structured, tiered approach:

• Tier 1: Educational resources on IP basics, including patents, trademarks, and trade secrets.

• Tier 2: Conducting patentability and trademark searches to assess the viability of IP protection.

• Tier 3: Filing for a provisional patent and trademarks with the support of IP firm Own Innovation.

The program provided NerView with both financial support and strategic guidance. The stepwise approach ensured that the company could de-risk its IP strategy while progressing through each phase with confidence.

“Before Elevate IP, I had never even seen a patent before. The program not only funded our filings but also taught us how to analyze patents, conduct searches, and develop a broader IP strategy,” said Parikh.

How Elevate IP Helped NerView Scale

One of the biggest benefits of Elevate IP was its ability to remove financial barriers for early-stage startups. Many founders struggle with the dilemma of allocating limited funds between product development and IP protection. Elevate IP eliminated that tradeoff by covering costs upfront, allowing NerView to secure its technology while continuing to refine its product.

“The only money we really had was what we won from a competition. Elevate IP was absolutely instrumental in allowing us to build out our IP strategy without financial restrictions,” Parikh explained.

Beyond securing its initial patent, NerView is now using the knowledge gained from Elevate IP to plan long-term IP strategies, including potential licensing opportunities and commercialization pathways.

“We now understand that IP isn’t just about protecting an invention—it’s a strategic asset that can be monetized through licensing and partnerships,” Parikh noted. “That knowledge is going to be invaluable as we scale.”

Why NerView Recommends Elevate IP

Parikh strongly recommends Elevate IP to other startups, especially those in medtech and hard-tech fields where IP is a primary asset. He has actively referred fellow entrepreneurs to the program, emphasizing its accessibility and impact.

“Short answer: No, we would not be where we are today without Elevate IP. The structured approach gave us the knowledge, funding, and resources to build a strong IP foundation,” said Parikh. “If you’re a startup with little to no capital, this program is a no-brainer.”

NerView continues to refine its IP strategy and explore new applications for its technology, confident in the foundation that Elevate IP helped establish.