Competition
SPIE Startup Challenge at Photonics West
Open
The SPIE Startup Challenge is a pitch competition for optics and photonics entrepreneurs in healthcare and deep tech. Finalists pitch live at Photonics West in San Francisco to compete for cash prizes up to $10,000 plus additional awards.
Key facts
- Organiser
- SPIE
- Deadline
- October 6, 2026
- Amount
- $10,000 · Prize
- Equity
- None
- Entry fee
- Free to apply
- Open to
- Anywhere
- Stages
- Idea, Pre-seed, Seed
- Sectors
- Deeptech and hardware, Healthtech
- Format
- Hybrid
- Location
- San Francisco, United States
- Application languages
- English
Verified on September 28, 2026 against the official page.
Facts are summarised from the official page and can change without notice. Always confirm the rules and deadline there before you apply.