Application Deadline: 31 October
The SPIE Startup Challenge is a valuable resource for entrepreneurs in photonics. Join us at Photonics West for informative panel sessions, networking, and the Startup Challenge finals, 25 January 2022. Winning teams share cash and other prizes.
| The focus is on new businesses and potential startups. Students, post-docs, professors and other first-time business starters are encouraged to apply. The Startup Challenge accepts applications from the worldwide community of entrepreneurs. |
| In 2022, we are accepting applications in two areas: 1.Healthcare 2. Deep Tech (scientific or engineering innovation; please no software apps) |
Eligibility
| Participants must have an optics or photonics technology or application that they wish to publicly present as the basis for a viable new business. |
| Companies must select a track based on their development stage at the time of the written application: 1. Pre-revenue for the pre-seed stage 2.Below $500k in revenue from product sales for seed stage 3. Actively raising a Series A or B round with some demonstrated market traction for the Series A/B open pitch. |
| In all cases, revenue means revenue generated from products sold, not funding acquired through investors, grants, or other support. Teams (un-established companies) should join the pre-seed stage. |
Application Procedure
| • To apply, please login using your SPIE credentials If you have forgotten your account information, please open this link and click “Forgot Username” and/or “Forgot Password” or contact via email Customer Service |
| • Each answer will be saved automatically when you move on to the next question and you can return to previous questions and the application itself at any time. |
| • Incomplete applications will not be evaluated. Answer all questions. Make your best educated guess if you do not know or have not yet determined how to approach this aspect of the business. |
Applications Review
| Applicants to the to the Startup Challenge will have their applications evaluated by experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and business development experts. |
| Evaluators will provide written feedback for the materials and pitches that teams provide. |
| Each application is evaluated on strength of business case, financial case, and the trajectory of the team. Judges select the teams that advance to the final round. |
| Final review: applicants are divided into two topical tracks 1) Healthcare and 2) Deep Tech |
Official Website: The SPIE Startup Challenge
