The Power of the Prize: Climate Breakthroughs

​Join the University of Utah’s Wilkes Center and XPRIZE for an exclusive Climate Week NYC event exploring the mechanics, successes, and future of prize-driven climate innovation.

​Event Highlights

• ​2026 Wilkes Climate Launch Prize Announcement: Witness the live reveal of the 2026 winner of the Wilkes Climate Launch Prize as they receive $250,000 to scale their breakthrough technology.

• ​Panel: The Power of the Prize Model: Hear firsthand how challenge prizes can catalyze deep-tech breakthroughs, provide validation, attract capital, and build momentum toward real-world impact. The conversation will feature Shantanu Agarwal, Founder of Mati Carbon and Grand Prize Winner of XPRIZE Carbon Removal, and Matt Atwood, Founder and CEO of Aircapture and recipient of a $1 million XFACTOR Award in the same competition. Together, they will share lessons from advancing, validating, and scaling breakthrough carbon removal solutions through the prize model.

• ​Networking Reception: Conclude the evening by connecting with Wilkes, XPRIZE, the newly crowned prize winners, and more over drinks.