Submissions

Round One

  • Successful submissions meet the following criteria:
  • Concept addresses a significant problem facing ophthalmologists and/or their patients
  • Applicant commits to present at the Winning Pitch Challenge live event if selected as a finalist
  • All submissions are assigned to an industry mentor. Mentors are in limited supply and are provided on first-come, first-serve basis, so submit your application ASAP.

Round Two

  • Semi-finalists advanced to Round Two are paired with an industry mentor hand-selected for the Winning Pitch Challenge and the applicant.
  • Mentors will evaluate applicant’s concept, business model, etc. and provide feedback on how to maximize the impact of each submission.
  • A pitch deck is developed with input and guidance from the mentor.
  • Applicant records video presentation roughly 5 minutes long.
  • Judges review all pitch decks and presentation videos and select the top three to present live at the Winning Pitch Challenge.

Round Three

  • Mentors help fine-tune pitch delivery before the live event.
  • Finalists pitch at the live event.
  • Judges and audience provide scores for each pitch live.
  • Average scores are taken to award first, second, and third place, at $25,000, $15,000, and $5,000, respectively.