The FED proudly sponsors the X Prize Foundation and realizes that the X Prize is a unique competition that focuses contestants on specific challenges. We support the X Prize Lab@MIT which engages students in designing prizes to address challenges in energy, water, and genomics, and to consider ways for inspiring and incentivizing open innovation through ownership. This Fall, the Lab@MIT is focused on urban sustainability. More Information

Last Fall, students participated in a semester-long lab researching and dissecting energy prize ideas. The students produced concepts for a new X PRIZE including a Green Home Prize, ECO2 Prize, and Home Energy Storage Prize. More Information

Do you have what it takes to tap into your competitive and entrepreneurial spirit to solve the most challenging problems facing humanity? The X Prize Foundation has set up multiple prizes targeted at specific problems in energy and environment, education and global development, space exploration, and life sciences. Prizes of over $10 million are awarded to the first team that is able to solve the targeted problem.

Are you a young, entrepreneurial undergraduate or graduate student? Join a university-based business plan competition. Situated in one of the leading research universities in the world, the UC San Diego Entrepreneur Challenge fosters community involvement and technological innovation by bringing multi-disciplinary teams of engineers, scientists, and business-minded students together with local area entrepreneurs and professionals.

The FED is a sponsor, and has been for the past 3 years. The FED took part in a panel that discussed entrepreneurial employee ownership and also served on the judging panel for six competitions in the last two years. What is really unique about this student-run competition is that unlike most of the other top-notch university competitions, the UC San Diego Entrepreneur Challenge was created outside of the business school from within the sciences. In addition to the $80,000 Business Plan Competition, the Entrepreneur Challenge provides many resources, including workshops, experienced mentors, and incentives for competition. More Information

First Place, $40,000, Biologicial Dynamics:

Point-of-Care multi-cancer screening tool that detects early cancer biomarker directly from whole blood. More Information

Now entering its 24th year, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. Do you know an experienced entrepreneur with a track record? Consider suggesting him/her to the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year program. The FED is a proud sponsor, served on a regional judging panel, and has been involved for more than 10 years. More Information