XPRIZE

Founded in 1995, we are a non-profit that designs and runs large-scale competitions to solve humanity’s greatest challenges. Our model promotes innovation by offering prizes for crowd-sourced, scientifically sound solutions that aim for a more equitable and abundant future. We focus on areas like prize development, STEM education, energy and environment, space exploration, life sciences, ocean health, global development, and AI.

We started with the $10 million Ansari XPRIZE in 1996, challenging teams to build and fly a reusable spacecraft. Mojave Aerospace Ventures won in 2004, showing how our model can spark global innovation and test ambitious ideas. Since then, we have launched 30 competitions, involving over 35,000 innovators from 173 countries. These efforts have led to over 58 million hours of R&D, 9,745 patents, and 20,000 jobs. Our $519 million in prize money has generated an estimated $31 billion in economic and social value.

Our recent Autonomous Wildfire Response competition involved five teams from three countries. After rigorous testing since 2023, these teams advanced to the finals with solutions for rapid detection, intelligent navigation, adaptive decision-making, and targeted wildfire suppression without human intervention. We are headquartered in Frisco, Texas, and also have a mailing address in Culver City, CA.

Our mission is to inspire breakthroughs that accelerate a hopeful future for all. We tackle humanity’s toughest challenges with bold, scalable solutions. We aim for a future of equitable abundance by turning bold ideas into real-world impact, one prize at a time.

We operate by testing solutions, funding proof, and accelerating breakthroughs. We believe innovation needs ambition, urgency, and a bold target. We see ourselves in the business of breakthroughs, not charity or guesswork. We run high-impact competitions that aim to generate 60x value per dollar by mobilizing innovators worldwide.

We have 51-200 employees. We look for problem-solvers, system-builders, and bold thinkers who want their work to have a significant impact.

Our team is driven by purpose, rigor, and imagination. Every role helps accelerate solutions to humanity’s toughest challenges. We operate in a remote-first environment, with occasional in-person work required for major events or quarterly meetings in Los Angeles. We are an equal opportunity employer and provide reasonable accommodations.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health coverage and generous paid time off (vacation, sick leave, and holidays). Employees may be eligible for an annual incentive. We provide competitive pay.

As a remote-first organization, we support flexibility while requiring occasional in-person attendance for specific events or meetings. For consulting positions, we provide compensation during the contract term. Full benefits begin upon transition to full-time employment.