XPRIZE Opens Team Registration for $2 Million Wendy Schmidt Ocean Health XPRIZE

- Teams From Private, Public, and Social Sectors Encouraged to Compete in Global Competition to Revolutionize Ocean pH Sensor Technology

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XPRIZE
Feb. 12, 2014 10:40
LOS ANGELES, CA--(Korea Newswire)--XPRIZE (www.xprize.org), the global leader in incentivized prize competitions, today announced that team registration is open for the $2 million Wendy Schmidt Ocean Health XPRIZE(http://oceanhealth.xprize.org/), a competition to incentivize breakthroughs in ocean pH sensor technology that will radically transform our understanding of ocean acidification. Teams are expected to come from diverse backgrounds, ranging from nanotechnology and biotechnology to industrial chemistry and marine science -- from academic institutions, non-profit organizations, and small and medium enterprises. Or, as is the case with past XPRIZE competitions, anyone with a creative idea to revolutionize ocean pH sensor technology is encouraged to compete.

Starting today, teams interested in competing can register by visiting http://oceanhealth.xprize.org. Early registration is open through March 31, 2014, at a cost of $1,000. On April 1, 2014, registration fees will increase to $2,500 per team. Registration will close on June 30, 2014.

In addition to lower fees, teams that register early can benefit from a range of support services, including public relations efforts, venture capital partnerships, team member recruitment and more. Interested teams are also invited to attend the upcoming Oceanology International Conference(http://www.oceanologyinternational.com/en/) in London, on March 11-13, 2014, to hear more about the prize from the XPRIZE team, meet fellow competitors, and receive valuable resources.

“Our goal with the Wendy Schmidt Ocean Health XPRIZE is not only to bring about breakthroughs in ocean pH sensing, but to catalyze the growth of the global ocean service industry,” said Paul Bunje, senior director of oceans, XPRIZE. “This is an extraordinary opportunity for professionals and amateurs alike to take the plunge and help solve one of the biggest grand challenges of our time.”

The Wendy Schmidt Ocean Health XPRIZE is a 22-month competition in which teams will compete for one or both of the two $1,000,000 purses -- one for accuracy and one for affordability -- to create a new generation of ocean pH sensors.

The breakthrough technologies developed by the Wendy Schmidt Ocean Health XPRIZE will immediately benefit industries on the front line -- scientists, fisheries, marine managers -- and everyone with a stake in healthy oceans. This prize will provide the tools needed to study and monitor ocean acidification and its impact on marine ecosystems, allowing these industries to anticipate, adapt to and mitigate the changes in ocean chemistry.

To register to compete, or for more information about the Wendy Schmidt Ocean Health XPRIZE, visit: http://oceanhealth.xprize.org

About XPRIZE

Founded in 1995, XPRIZE is the leading organization solving the world's Grand Challenges by creating and managing large-scale, high-profile, incentivized prize in five areas: Learning; Exploration; Energy & Environment; Global Development; and Life Sciences. Active prizes include the $30 million Google Lunar XPRIZE, the $10 million Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE, the $2.25 million Nokia Sensing XCHALLENGE, and the $2 million Wendy Schmidt Ocean Health XPRIZE. For more information, go to www.xprize.org.

About Wendy Schmidt

Wendy Schmidt is President of The Schmidt Family Foundation, which strives to advance the development of clean energy and support the wiser use of natural resources. She also is founder of the foundation's grant-making arm, The 11th Hour Project, and Climate Central, an independent organization of leading scientists and journalists researching and reporting the facts about our changing climate and its impact on the American public. With her husband, Eric Schmidt, Wendy created the Schmidt Ocean Institute in 2009 to provide future opportunities aboard research vessels for urgent ocean studies. Her work at non-profit ReMain Nantucket focuses on generating a model for smart community downtown development on the island, where her family spends summers. Wendy earned an M.A. in Journalism from The University of California at Berkeley, and a B.A. magna cum laude from Smith College. She serves on the boards of The Natural Resources Defense Council, Climate Central, The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, The Trust for Governors Island, V-Day, XPRIZE Foundation, Grist and MAIYET.

Website: https://www.xprize.org/

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