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:
3 - 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.

Application opens 18 September 2018.

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