The Startup Challenge will return to Photonics West 2016. Look for invitations to pitch in early October, and as always, contact Dirk Fabian (dirkf@spie.org) to get involved in this community of photonics entrepreneurs.
The SPIE Startup Challenge (for photonics technologies) is 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.
Winner: $10,000 from JENOPTIK + $5,000 in products from Edmund Optics 2nd Place: $5,000 3rd Place: $2,500
2014 Startup Challenge winner Robert McLaughlin from the University of Western Australia explains how he benefited from the experience:
More than a pitch competition: If the possibility of winning $10,000 for a 3 minute business pitch isn't motivating enough, know that the Startup Challenge is part of a multi-day entrepreneurship training and networking program at Photonics West. We start with a clinic on effective pitching so that everyone gets some practice, whether it's your first pitch, or your 100th. A networking lunch with experts in business development, startup finance, IP Law, and product marketing follows the clinic. Participants in the SPIE Industry program on business acceleration, our expert judges, and business mentors provide a community where you can get the feedback and exposure you need to make your business plan a success. To get access to this program, apply to the Startup Challenge with your business plan.
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