This year we could see big payouts for innovations in genomics and technology to be used to build the space elevator. And expect more challenges to be announced. Dozens of smaller competitions are promising impressive bundles in exchange for breakthroughs in alternative aviation fuels, cancer research and affordable health care. Pick a field and prepare to quit your day job. Here, a tinkering man’s guide to getting rich this year and beyond.
Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize
Purse: $10 million Goal: $7.5 million for a commercially viable vehicle that gets the equivalent of 100 mpg over 200 miles Status: The first stage of a cross-country race takes place in New York City in September. The fastest, most efficient cars move on to the next leg of the race.
Archon X Prize for Genomics
Purse: $10 million Goal: Sequence 100 human genomes in 10 days for $10,000 per genome or less Status: ZS Genetics, which is developing an approach that replaces fluorescent tagging with decodable electron-microscope images of DNA, is a favorite to win.
Spaceward Space Elevator Games
Purse: $4 million Goal: $2 million for a laser-powered climber; $2 million for the strongest two-meter tether Competition: Three teams have a shot at winning the $2- million purse this year for powering climbers one kilometer into the air using an eight-kilowatt laser on the ground.
Google Lunar X Prize
Purse: $30 million Goal: Land an unmanned spacecraft on the moon, rove 500 meters, and send images back to Earth Status: Teams hope to sign launch contracts this year with either a foreign space agency or a private company like SpaceX, securing a rocket ride for their moon rovers.
