The X PRIZE Foundation, an educational not-for-profit organisation that offers incentive prizes of $10 million or more, and global IT and communications services provider BT, have joined forces to combat some of the world's biggest challenges, such as disease, poverty and energy efficiency.
“This partnership is the latest
step in BT's long legacy of
innovation. For more than 100
years, BT has been helping
customers to use
communications and
collaboration to make the world a smaller, and better, place.”
- Francois Barrault,
CEO BT Global Services
BT embraces open innovation, recognising that talent has no passport. We reach out beyond the boundaries of the company to find the best brains and the smartest ideas, wherever they are in the world – and then fuse these together with the best ideas of the men and women in BT. This approach multiplies the value of internal R&D budgets by exploiting external partnerships at every stage of the innovation process, from scientific research to technological realisation and the development of new products and services for our global customer base. By operating in this way we enable companies with great ideas to bring their innovations to market alongside our own.
“BT is a worldwide leader in technological innovation and collaboration. Their expertise and global reach will give the X PRIZE Foundation an even greater impact in the areas that are in desperate need of a breakthrough. Together we can achieve what was once considered unachievable.”
- Dr. Peter H. Diamandis,
Chairman and CEO of the X PRIZE Foundation.
The X PRIZE Foundation is widely recognized as the leading model for fostering innovation through competition. Since capturing the headlines in 2004 with the world's first private vehicle to space, with the Ansari X Prize, the X PRIZE Foundation has launched:
- $10 million Archon X PRIZE for Genomics
- $30 million Google Lunar X PRIZE
- $10 million Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE
Working with BT, the X PRIZE Foundation is currently creating prizes in five areas:
- Exploration (Space and Underwater)
- Life Sciences
- Energy & Environment
- Education
- Global Development
“We believe the X PRIZE Foundation is a valuable demonstration of
how collaboration and global networks, both human and
technological, can create positive change for business and society.”
- Francois Barrault,
CEO BT Global Services