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Innovation Contests

Today, we are going to take a look at three multi-million dollar Innovation Contests sponsored by the X PRIZE foundation.  All conceived to bring about radical breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity.  All participants must be primarily privately funded, a model intended to leverage the elements of public interest, entrepreneurial spirit and cross-disciplinary development to bring about breakthroughs that benefit us all.

Lunar X PRIZE

First up, following in the footsteps of the Ansari X Prize for sending a human into space, the Lunar X PRIZE contest is meant to stimulate commercial space exploration.  The Google Lunar X PRIZE is a $30 million international competition to safely land a robot on the surface of the Moon, travel 500 meters over the lunar surface, and send images and data back to the Earth.

Google Lunar X PRIZE Launch at WIRED NextFest"The Google Lunar X PRIZE calls on entrepreneurs, engineers and visionaries from around the world to return us to the lunar surface and explore its vast environment for the benefit of all humanity," said Dr. Peter H. Diamandis, Chairman and CEO of the X PRIZE Foundation. "We are confident that teams from around the world will help develop new robotic and virtual presence technology, which will dramatically reduce the cost of space exploration."

Lunar X-Prize contestant Team Italia The teams competing for the Google Lunar X Prize span three continents and more than 12 countries. They are led by students, entrepreneurs, engineers, and CEOs, each with different strategies to get to the moon, navigate and motivate around once they get there and pay the bills along the way.

http://www.googlelunarxprize.org/

Automotive X PRIZE

Future Vehicle Technologies The Automotive X PRIZE (PIAXP) steps up to the plate to inspire a new generation of viable, super-efficient vehicles that help break our addiction to oil and stem the effects of climate change. Up for grabs is a ten million dollar cash prize to the teams that wins a long-distance with a vehicle that exceeds 100 miles-per-gallon energy equivalent, runs clean, and is production-capable. Both modified and new vehicles  may enter.
http://www.progressiveautoxprize.org/

Genomics X PRIZE
Finally, imagine the day when you can sit down with your doctor and review a copy of your own personal genome. From this vital information, your physician will be able to inform you of your disease susceptibility, how to avoid or lessen the impact of future illness and keep yourself healthy . The use of personal genetic information to predict disease susceptibility and guide proactive care has the power to transform our entire healthcare system.

In 2006, the X PRIZE Foundation launched the Archon X PRIZE for Genomics. where the goal is to demonstrate the ability to sequence 100 human genomes in 10 days.  A $10 million prize will go to the team to reach the finish line first.  A small price indeed to reduce the cost of genome sequencing and herald a new era of personalized medicine.

http://genomics.xprize.org/

Each of these contests celebrate innovation and the spirit of the entrepreneur.

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