Trending...
- Tacoma: Applicants Sought for the Audit Advisory Board
- Future Intelligence Think Tank Surpasses 1,000 Members Exploring Human and Artificial Intelligence
- Super Rooter Expands to 190 Plumbing, Sewer, and Drain Service Locations Across the United States
Download
Jonas Zeuner of VitreaLab, center, is joined onstage by Jenoptik's Song Yop Chung, left, and Ralf Kuschnereit, right. (Photo: Business Wire)
BELLINGHAM, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Yesterday, at a ceremony during SPIE Photonics West, VitreaLab, with its laser-lit chip focused on the 2D and 3D display market – a technology which enables more power-efficient displays – was announced the winner of the $10,000 top prize at the 12th annual SPIE Startup Challenge.
More on Washingtoner
With cash prizes all provided by Jenoptik, Quantopticon, a designer of simulation software for quantum photonic hardware manufacturers, received $5,000 for second place. Luminess came in third, winning $2,500, with their versatile platform for safer, more sensitive, and more reliable X-ray medical imaging. The SPIE Startup Challenge, which showcases new businesses, products, and technologies that address critical needs with photonics, is supported by Founding Partner Jenoptik, Lead Sponsors MKS Instruments, Hamamatsu, Edmund Optics, and Thorlabs, and Strategic Partners Allianse and NextCorps' Luminate.
In addition, as part of the overall SPIE Startup Challenge program, four companies in the process of fundraising — Fastree3D, Raydiant Oximetry, Stratio, Inc., and UbiQD — presented their new technologies to prospective investors.
"I think this was an absolutely fantastic result," said VitreaLab CEO Jonas Zeuner. "It's great to be at the biggest photonics event and at the Startup Challenge because it means a lot of outreach possibilities, a lot of people will see us, and we can get in touch with investors so fast. Winning today is a very, very useful result, and we are very appreciative."
"I'm delighted and humbled to be selected as one of the winners," said Quantopticon CEO and Co-founder Mirella Koleva. "It's wonderful to have this opportunity, to receive so much recognition and support from the judges. It really means a lot to me, to us."
"We're very pleased and confident in the potential of our technology and it's really a pleasure to see its acceptance at such an early stage from a panel of experienced investors," said Luminess' Charles Roques-Carmes. "This gives us a lot of hope for this year since we'll be looking for early-stage investment. We really hope that we can leverage this platform that's been given to us through the SPIE Startup Challenge."
Judges drawn from across the industry who vetted the applicants for their business models, financial cases, and competitive advantages included Innovation Acceleration Capital's Darius Sankey, Edmund Optics' Greg Hollows, Fusion Fund's Homan Yuen, Anchored In's Ian Tracey, Jenoptik's Song Yop Chung, and Genoa Ventures' Bill Hyun.
"What I love about the Startup Challenge is that it brings the most promising technologies and connects them with investors," noted Tracey. "It allows us to take photonics technology to market and change the world for the better. I love the energy and the focus of these competitors, and there was such a wonderful variety of different technologies that they touched upon. It was really fantastic seeing them as they came on stage, to spot their energy and enthusiasm."
Light-based technologies enable developments in a proliferating number of areas, from healthcare and high-speed communications to quantum computing, AR/VR/MR, and self-driving vehicles. The SPIE Startup Challenge is an annual entrepreneurial pitch competition for new businesses that utilize optics and photonics to create innovative products, applications, and technologies. Startup Challenge winners that have gone on to wider commercial success include Cellino Biotech, Double Helix Optics, PhotoniCare, C. Light Technologies, Circle Optics, and In A Blink (https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Finablink.zone%2F&esheet=52569076&newsitemid=20220126005652&lan=en-US&anchor=In+A+Blink&index=8&md5=8330a3e8b5614a130869bb2bd7a9c41f).
More on Washingtoner
About SPIE
SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, brings engineers, scientists, students, and business professionals together to advance light-based science and technology. The Society, founded in 1955, connects and engages with our global constituency through industry-leading conferences and exhibitions; publications of conference proceedings, books, and journals in the SPIE Digital Library; and career-building opportunities. Over the past five years, SPIE has contributed more than $22 million to the international optics community through our advocacy and support, including scholarships, educational resources, travel grants, endowed gifts, and public-policy development. www.spie.org (https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spie.org&esheet=52569076&newsitemid=20220126005652&lan=en-US&anchor=www.spie.org&index=9&md5=6040eae8a93116c68731f31c9085f3e2).
Contacts
Daneet Steffens
Public Relations Manager
daneets@spie.org
+1 360 685 5478
@SPIEtweets (https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fspietweets&esheet=52569076&newsitemid=20220126005652&lan=en-US&anchor=%40SPIEtweets&index=10&md5=5e0973e546663ed8e6a8f5cf5e380fa9)
Release Summary
During SPIE Photonics West, VitreaLab, with its laser-lit chip for the 2D and 3D display market, won the top prize at the SPIE Startup Challenge.
0) { // Create container for hi-res image jQuery('#bw-release-hires').append('
'); }; }); ]]>
Contacts
Daneet Steffens
Public Relations Manager
daneets@spie.org
+1 360 685 5478
@SPIEtweets (https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fspietweets&esheet=52569076&newsitemid=20220126005652&lan=en-US&anchor=%40SPIEtweets&index=10&md5=5e0973e546663ed8e6a8f5cf5e380fa9)
Jonas Zeuner of VitreaLab, center, is joined onstage by Jenoptik's Song Yop Chung, left, and Ralf Kuschnereit, right. (Photo: Business Wire)
- Jonas Zeuner of VitreaLab, center, is joined onstage by Jenoptik's Song Yop Chung, left, and Ralf Kuschnereit, right. (Photo: Business Wire)
BELLINGHAM, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Yesterday, at a ceremony during SPIE Photonics West, VitreaLab, with its laser-lit chip focused on the 2D and 3D display market – a technology which enables more power-efficient displays – was announced the winner of the $10,000 top prize at the 12th annual SPIE Startup Challenge.
More on Washingtoner
- Sawgrass Ford President Attributes Dealerships Success to Long-Term Employees
- Ragin' Cajun Announces New Cheeseburger Seasoning on National Cheeseburger Day
- Warrant Activity, AVERSA™ Progress and a Potentially Transformative Fall Take Center Stage: Nutriband Inc. (N A S D A Q: NTRB)
- Santa Your Way Announces Official 2026 Q4 Holiday Tour: Booking Open For Santa, The 5-star Grinch, And Dual Character Experiences Nationwide
- Put Your Herd on Your Phone: Kiko Nation Makes Livestock Management Simple
With cash prizes all provided by Jenoptik, Quantopticon, a designer of simulation software for quantum photonic hardware manufacturers, received $5,000 for second place. Luminess came in third, winning $2,500, with their versatile platform for safer, more sensitive, and more reliable X-ray medical imaging. The SPIE Startup Challenge, which showcases new businesses, products, and technologies that address critical needs with photonics, is supported by Founding Partner Jenoptik, Lead Sponsors MKS Instruments, Hamamatsu, Edmund Optics, and Thorlabs, and Strategic Partners Allianse and NextCorps' Luminate.
In addition, as part of the overall SPIE Startup Challenge program, four companies in the process of fundraising — Fastree3D, Raydiant Oximetry, Stratio, Inc., and UbiQD — presented their new technologies to prospective investors.
"I think this was an absolutely fantastic result," said VitreaLab CEO Jonas Zeuner. "It's great to be at the biggest photonics event and at the Startup Challenge because it means a lot of outreach possibilities, a lot of people will see us, and we can get in touch with investors so fast. Winning today is a very, very useful result, and we are very appreciative."
"I'm delighted and humbled to be selected as one of the winners," said Quantopticon CEO and Co-founder Mirella Koleva. "It's wonderful to have this opportunity, to receive so much recognition and support from the judges. It really means a lot to me, to us."
"We're very pleased and confident in the potential of our technology and it's really a pleasure to see its acceptance at such an early stage from a panel of experienced investors," said Luminess' Charles Roques-Carmes. "This gives us a lot of hope for this year since we'll be looking for early-stage investment. We really hope that we can leverage this platform that's been given to us through the SPIE Startup Challenge."
Judges drawn from across the industry who vetted the applicants for their business models, financial cases, and competitive advantages included Innovation Acceleration Capital's Darius Sankey, Edmund Optics' Greg Hollows, Fusion Fund's Homan Yuen, Anchored In's Ian Tracey, Jenoptik's Song Yop Chung, and Genoa Ventures' Bill Hyun.
"What I love about the Startup Challenge is that it brings the most promising technologies and connects them with investors," noted Tracey. "It allows us to take photonics technology to market and change the world for the better. I love the energy and the focus of these competitors, and there was such a wonderful variety of different technologies that they touched upon. It was really fantastic seeing them as they came on stage, to spot their energy and enthusiasm."
Light-based technologies enable developments in a proliferating number of areas, from healthcare and high-speed communications to quantum computing, AR/VR/MR, and self-driving vehicles. The SPIE Startup Challenge is an annual entrepreneurial pitch competition for new businesses that utilize optics and photonics to create innovative products, applications, and technologies. Startup Challenge winners that have gone on to wider commercial success include Cellino Biotech, Double Helix Optics, PhotoniCare, C. Light Technologies, Circle Optics, and In A Blink (https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Finablink.zone%2F&esheet=52569076&newsitemid=20220126005652&lan=en-US&anchor=In+A+Blink&index=8&md5=8330a3e8b5614a130869bb2bd7a9c41f).
More on Washingtoner
- Future Intelligence Think Tank Surpasses 1,000 Members Exploring Human and Artificial Intelligence
- Gary Bernstein Expands Media Leadership Role With Senior Strategic Advisor Appointment To Blacksun Private Equity
- Headline: House of Nova Paints Every Face in Gold at New York Fashion Week
- Can Government Operate Better Through Innovation?
- Michael H. Kaplan Advocates for Seriously Injured Colorado Workers Who Need In-Home Care
About SPIE
SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, brings engineers, scientists, students, and business professionals together to advance light-based science and technology. The Society, founded in 1955, connects and engages with our global constituency through industry-leading conferences and exhibitions; publications of conference proceedings, books, and journals in the SPIE Digital Library; and career-building opportunities. Over the past five years, SPIE has contributed more than $22 million to the international optics community through our advocacy and support, including scholarships, educational resources, travel grants, endowed gifts, and public-policy development. www.spie.org (https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spie.org&esheet=52569076&newsitemid=20220126005652&lan=en-US&anchor=www.spie.org&index=9&md5=6040eae8a93116c68731f31c9085f3e2).
Contacts
Daneet Steffens
Public Relations Manager
daneets@spie.org
+1 360 685 5478
@SPIEtweets (https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fspietweets&esheet=52569076&newsitemid=20220126005652&lan=en-US&anchor=%40SPIEtweets&index=10&md5=5e0973e546663ed8e6a8f5cf5e380fa9)
Release Summary
During SPIE Photonics West, VitreaLab, with its laser-lit chip for the 2D and 3D display market, won the top prize at the SPIE Startup Challenge.
0) { // Create container for hi-res image jQuery('#bw-release-hires').append('
'); }; }); ]]>
Contacts
Daneet Steffens
Public Relations Manager
daneets@spie.org
+1 360 685 5478
@SPIEtweets (https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fspietweets&esheet=52569076&newsitemid=20220126005652&lan=en-US&anchor=%40SPIEtweets&index=10&md5=5e0973e546663ed8e6a8f5cf5e380fa9)
0 Comments
Latest on Washingtoner
- City of Spokane Announces New Tools, Resources to Support Fire Recovery and Rebuilding
- Tacoma Residents Invited to Turn Recycled Glass Into Art Through New Pilot Program
- International Society of Medical AI Convenes Global Faculty in Florence for ISMAI 2026
- Boston Industrial Solutions Introduces Personalized Printing Training
- Century Fasteners de Mexico Exhibiting at the 2026 Automotive & Aerospace Nearshoring Summit
- Spokane: Funding Available for Tourism and Culture Investment Grants
- Retell AI White Label Platform for Agencies Launched by VoiceAIWrapper, With Branded Client Portals and No Per-Minute Markup
- FOCUS Names Mark Phillips Senior Vice President of Business Development
- Notaron Expands Online Notarization Access Following Wisconsin Approval
- Wings Air Helicopters Selected to Support VIP Transportation for Resorts World in New York
- Scoop Social Co. Brings Its Signature Mobile Dessert Experience to Houston This October
- Spokane: Construction Will Require Temporary Browne Street Lane Reductions
- The Social Capital Revolution Comes to Phoenix!
- Spokane: Flags Lowered for Mayor Tim Verzal
- Lawsuit Alleges American Deli Food Caused Severe Illness, Acute Kidney Failure, And Eight-day Hospitalization
- FBI/DoW plot uncovered to hurt Trump/Vance through encouraged "widespread" cybersecurity breaches and racketeering theft of $80m in USDA payments
- City of Tacoma Aligns Parking Rates and Facilities for Downtown Parking Network Effective October 13
- Bettingbladet releases H1 2026 report on the Swedish online gambling market
- Garage door installation or repair in Minnesota? Which makes more sense for your family?
- Tacoma: Application for 2027 Community Arts Projects Funding Now Available