Who Should Attend the Optica Startup Summit?
 

1. Researchers and Scientists (Academic or Institutional)

• Profile: PhD students, postdocs, principal investigators, or lab scientists working in optics, photonics, or related fields.
• Why Attend:
  • Learn how to commercialize research outcomes.
  • Understand intellectual property, tech transfer, and licensing.
  • Explore startup creation as a career path beyond academia.

2. Early-Career Professionals

• Profile: Engineers, product developers, or technical specialists within the first 5–10 years of their career in industry or academia.
• Why Attend:
  • Gain foundational business and startup knowledge.
  • Explore potential transitions from technical roles to leadership or founder positions.
  • Network with peers and mentors in the startup space.

3. Industry Professionals (R&D, Innovation, Corporate Strategy)

• Profile: Employees at established optics/photonics companies looking to innovate internally or spin out technology.
• Why Attend:
  • Learn intrapreneurship strategies.
  • Understand startup agility and how to bring that mindset into a corporate setting.
  • Explore launching a spin-off or transitioning to a startup.

4. Aspiring Entrepreneurs with Technical Backgrounds

• Profile: Anyone with an optics or photonics background and a startup idea or interest in starting a company.
• Why Attend:
  • Validate business ideas and get feedback.
  • Learn how to pitch and attract funding.
  • Connect with mentors, investors, and peers to form a founding team.