Who wants to make $10 million dollars?
Almost two years after Burt Rutan claimed the first Ansari X-Prize by building the first commercial plane to reach suborbital space. Dr. Peter Diamandis’ X-Prize foundation, composed of multimillionaires, ones again coughs up $10 million worth of prizes each, for specific problems that once solved, could further progress humanity’s evolution.
The first $10M is aimed at making gene sequencing cheaper for the average man by giving teams the problem of sequencing the genetic code of 100 individuals in a matter of weeks. The second $10 M aims to reduce Oil dependency and to further the research into greener vehicles. This hopes to make internal combution engines obsolete (or at least more efficient). Other problems to be tackled centers on nanotechnology, education and possibly another space themed prize.
These guys should be given a Nobel Prize… or at least win Time’s Men/Women of the year 
Article here
From reddit
Update: I forgot to mention that the X-Plane was funded by Microsoft’s own, Paul Allen. To the tune of $25 M… looks like they fell short by $15 Million in recouping the investment. 
of course i do.
:D