SPIE Startup Challenge at Photonics West

SPIE Startup Challenge is a high-stakes, global competition where entrepreneurs in photonics have just 5 minutes each to pitch their businesses to a team of expert judges, and vie for over $85,000 in cash, prizes, promotion, and more.

Held annually at Photonics West, this competitive event invites new entrepreneurs to pitch their light-based technology business plan to a team of corporate development experts and venture capitalists.

The best pitchers receive cash prizes and are selected to attend a week long entrepreneur boot camp to refine their ideas and make further contacts with experts.

Application opens:
18 September

Application deadline:
13 November

Semi-Finalists Notified:
30 December

Events at Photonics West:
4 - 6 February 2019

The high-stakes, global business plan competition for new entreprenuers

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Apply today to pitch your business plan

Participants must have an optics or photonics technology or application that they wish to publicly present as the basis for a viable new business. Established companies must be pre-revenue at the time of the written application. Pre-revenue in this case means revenue generated from products sold, not funding acquired through investors, grants, or other support.

Learn more and apply ›

Application due 13 November 2018.

Questions or comments? Contact us at innovation@spie.org