The Spaceward Foundation has announced $4 million in prizes for space technology over the next 5 years. This is 10 times the purse to this point.
The 2006 prize purse will remain $200,000 per each of their two competitions, increasing to $300,000 in 2007, and so on, until they reach $600,000 in 2010. Any unwon prizes will automatically roll over to the following year NASA provides the prize money, but not with operating funds. Commercial sponsorship is needed for operating funds.
they have prizes for developments towards Space elevators and Mars Robots
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.