Mozilla Launches Ignite Competition, Featuring Cash Prizes

This week, the Obama administration unveiled US Ignite, "an initiative to promote US leadership in developing applications and services for ultra-fast broadband and software-defined networks." The initiative is described as an incubator ecosystem that will hook people up with novel technology ideas with fast networks, advanced infrastructure and more. Mozilla is backing the US effort, but--in conjunction with the National Science Foundation--has its own Ignite effort. Here are details on it, and the cash prizes that go along with the program. 

Mozilla and the National Science Foundation are in partnership on "Mozilla Ignite," a competition featuring $500,000 in prize money (contributed by the NSF) for developers who come up with winning apps in five areas: advanced manufacturing, education and workforce technologies, healthcare, public safety, and clean energy/transportation. The prizes will be awarded over three judged rounds.

In addition to the cash prizes, Mozilla Ignite is intended to bring together talented developers who can work in teams. A brainstorming round has already begun, and will last until August 23rd. Notably, Mozilla has also made clear that you don't necessarily have to be a developer to participate in the brainstorming round. All you need is a good idea.

We'll follow up on Mozilla Ignite as it proceeds to later rounds, and as the tech ideas that it's meant to foster come to fruition.