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30 January - 4 February 2027
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SPIE Startup Challenge at Photonics West

Supporting entrepreneurs in optics and photonics businesses
Five people stand on a stage holding an oversized $10,000 award check labeled for Coalesenz, Inc., during the 2026 SPIE Startup Challenge. A large presentation screen behind them references advances in bleeding and thrombosis prevention, and the group poses together in business attire at the event.

Applications for the 2027 SPIE Startup Challenge will open on 10 August 2026.

Review the information below for details about challenge format, judging criteria, the competition finals, and the prizes at stake.

Jump to: Important dates | Challenge format | Prizes | Sponsorship opportunities | Judging criteria

Tips & training | Benefits of participating | Eligibility and application requirements

Congratulations to the 2026 Startup Challenge Winners!

More than a simple pitch competition, the SPIE Startup Challenge is an entry point into the community of high-tech business development. 

The chosen finalists pitched their products live at Photonics West 2026. The $10,000 first place prize was awarded to Coalesenz Inc for its hand-held coagulation analyzer. The team was also awarded the new SPIE Jay Kumler Innovation Award. Congratulations to the Coalesenz team!

The second place prize was awarded to SPKL LLC for its SPKL Flow Monitor and third prize was awarded to Seaborough for it's EuroLED®.

Read more about the 2026 winners in this press release.

Thank you to our Founding Partner

Industry leaders at Jenoptik understand the value of superb innovation. The company's support of SPIE Startup Challenge is unmatched.

Logo featuring a blue square with a white curved line at the top, "JENOPTIK" in white capital letters, and "MORE LIGHT" in blue below.

Important dates

Application submission system opens 10 August 2026
Application deadline 6 October 2026
Startup Challenge Finalists notified 1 December 2026
Onsite program with winners announced at SPIE Photonics West 2 February 2027

Challenge format

Focus areas

The competition focuses on new businesses and potential startups within two areas of focus from the worldwide community of entrepreneurs.

  • Healthcare: point of care technologies and devices - anything improving health
  • Deep Tech: scientific or engineering innovation (software apps not included)

Dark circular center surrounded by bright blue, wavy lines resembling electrical currents or neural connections, set against a gradient background transitioning from black to reddish hues.

Applications review

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.

Person sitting at a desk using a laptop, with the screen displaying a document that includes sections on mathematical equations and formatting instructions.

Competition finals

A representative from each team will make a five-minute pitch to a panel of judges. Judges then have five minutes to ask questions of the presenter.

Judges will decide the top three pitches, and the winners will be announced at a final awards ceremony. In all rounds, the decisions of the judges are final.

Person wearing glasses, a patterned white shirt, and a scarf, standing and speaking in front of a red background with drapery.

The SPIE Jay Kumler Innovation Award 2027

This award honors the founding partner of the SPIE Startup Challenge, Jay Kumler, for his lasting impact in spotlighting innovation and opportunity within optics and photonics. From among the finalists, judges will select one recipient whose proposal best demonstrates innovation in tackling a key challenge.

In Memoriam: Jay Kumler


The award is presented after the Startup Challenge final pitches on Tuesday, 2 February 2027.

Pictured: Jay Kumler, third in from right, at the 2023 SPIE Startup Challenge.

Group of people on stage holding large ceremonial checks awarded to Oto Technologies LLC, Mangales LLC, Eysz Inc., and Rubitection, with sponsor logos including Jenoptik, LDV Capital, MKS, Nextores, and Thorlabs in the background.

2027 Startup Challenge prizes

All Startup Challenge applicants receive expert feedback on their technology and business model from photonics industry leaders based on their answers in the application. Finalists go on to compete at Photonics West for cash prizes provided by SPIE Startup Challenge Founding Partner Jenoptik.

Cash prizes for winners:
1st Place - US $10,000
2nd Place - US $5,000
3rd Place - US $2,500

Three individuals holding a large ceremonial check made out to "Photosynthetic B.V." for $5,000, labeled "SPIE Startup Challenge Winner," dated January 28, 2023, with SPIE and Jenoptik logos.

Sponsorship opportunities

Support the future of photonics. Sponsor the SPIE Startup Challenge and connect your brand with the brightest innovators in optics and deep tech.

  • Align your brand with innovation and entrepreneurship
  • Engage with emerging technologies and future leaders
  • Gain visibility through press releases, social media, and event branding

Sponsorship tiers and offerings are now finalized—contact our Sales Team to secure your spot.

Three ceremonial checks from the 2025 Startup Challenge are displayed on stands. Sponsored by Endgame, Inc., the checks represent awards for the competition: $10,000 for the winner, $5,000 for the runner-up, and $2,500 for third place.

Judging criteria

  • Final pitch decks must be sent electronically to the organizers by the stated deadline.
  • Oral pitches can be no longer than five minutes each. Extra time is not allowed.
    • Pitches need to address:
      • the problem they are solving
      • the customer for whom they are solving this problem
      • why the customer needs this problem solved
    • Pitches should not be:
      • a technical talk
  • Final pitches must be made in person at Photonics West by the applicant or a team member named in the application.

Tips and training from leading experts

Oral pitches for both rounds of the Startup Challenge can be no longer than five minutes each. In this time, presenters need to address:

  • the problem that they are solving,
  • the customer for whom they are solving this problem, and
  • why the customer will care that it is being solved

Most pitch coaches recommend developing a narrative structure to tell this as a story rather than using a lot of bullet points and dense slides. Narratives have an introduction to the protagonist (you and the team), the conflict or problem, some moments showing how the problem is solved, and a resolution which includes your vision for the company. With only five minutes to catch the attention of judges, personal stories about why you are the person to solve the stated problem is a great way to hold their attention.

Pitches can be supported by a PowerPoint or PDF slide deck. However, presenters often focus too much on the information in their deck and not enough on the messages they are sending. When it comes to pitch slides, less is more. Slides that are overly complicated to follow or busy with information distract from what you are saying. Avoid large movies that may not load and loop or lots of animations that add noise. Keep it simple.

Your pitch deck should not be a technical talk. You may structure these pitch deck slides as you wish; however, consider reviewing the expert advice and tips found in the additional resources articles to help inform your best effort.

Benefits of participating

Four people holding a large check made out to "QART Medical Ltd." for $5,000, dated January 31, 2023, with "Startup Challenge Awards 2nd place" text in the background and logos for SPE and Repsol.

Financial support and investor visibility

Participating teams compete for sponsored prizes as well as gaining increased visibility with potential investors. See prizes above.

Panel of five individuals seated on white chairs during the SPIE Startup Challenge event, with a banner and beige wall in the background.

Immediate and ongoing recognition

Winners gain SPIE website, social media, press, Show Daily coverage, plus future chances to return and share company updates.

Eligibility and application requirements

  • Participants must have an optics or photonics technology or application that they wish to publicly present as the basis for a viable new business.
    • 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.
  • Companies must select one of these tracks, based on their development stage at the time of the written application:

1. Pre-revenue for the pre-seed stage

2. Below $500,000 in revenue from product sales for the seed stage

    • In all cases, revenue means revenue generated from products sold, not funding acquired through investors, grants, or other support. Unestablished companies should join the pre-seed stage.
  • Setting up an SPIE account is required to apply. Sign in or create an SPIE account, navigate to the Startup Challenge Application page, and click the blue Apply button to begin.*
  • The written application is extensive. Be sure to allow sufficient time to complete it. A video pitch must be included.

*For any account assistance, email Customer Service.

Questions?

If you have questions about eligibility, participation, expectations, sponsorship, or anything related to the SPIE Startup Challenge, please contact innovation@spie.org.