5. The Challenge
• Our Oceans are the last unexplored
frontier on the planet.
• 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered by
water.
• 5% of our ocean’s have been mapped
and explored.
14. The Challenge
• There is a need for new technology to
descend to the depths and return data.
15. Answering the Challenge
The XPRIZE Foundation along with Shell
Oil Company and the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
is sponsoring a competition to encourage
the development of new technologies
capable of exploring and mapping our
oceans to a depth of 4000 meters.
16. The Contest
• Design, build, and demonstrate one or more
Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) capable of
mapping the ocean floor at a depth of 4000 meters
or greater.
• Return images and mapping data to the surface.
• Identify geological, biological, and archaeological
features captured in the data.
• Conducted in 2 Rounds, one year apart.
17. The Reward
• Grand Prize is $5 million dollars, split
between the top 2 teams.
• Milestone Prize of $1 million dollars.
• Best imaging in Round 1.
• Bonus Prize of $1 million dollars.
• Detecting and tracking biological or chemical
signature.
24. The Proposal
• Formation of a Limited Liability
Company for the purpose of competing
for the Shell Ocean Discovery XPRIZE.
25. The LLC
• Tampa Deep-Sea X-plorers, LLC
• Legal entity
• Vehicle for raising capital
• Provides necessary resources
• 20% Equity held by the team members
26. Tampa Deep-Sea X-plorers
• Why do we need a legal entity?
• Protection of the stakeholders
• Protection of Intellectual Property
• Equitable division of profit
27. Tampa Deep-Sea X-plorers
• How much capital will be required?
• ~ $450,000
• 3 Phases
• Seed Capital, $20,000
• Primary Funding, $300,000
• Secondary Funding, $150,000
28. Tampa Deep-Sea X-plorers
• How will it be raised?
• Crowdfunding
• Sponsors
• Private investment
• Contributions
• Sales
29. Tampa Deep-Sea X-plorers
• How will it be used?
• Salaries
• Equipment
• Licensing Fees
• Transportation to/from events
30. Tampa Deep-Sea X-plorers
• What about the team?
• Cross functional, multiple disciplines
• Computer Science
• Robotics
• Engineering
• Project Management
• Marketing
• Business
31. Tampa Deep-Sea X-plorers
• What about the team?
• 20 to 40 individuals.
• Open to all who are interested in
learning the necessary skills to compete.
• Emphasis is on learning.
32. Tampa Deep-Sea X-plorers
• What happens if the team wins?
• All winnings will be awarded to Tampa
Deep-Sea X-plorers, LLC.
• The Team Members have a 20% stake
in the company, and so 20% of the
winnings will be divided among the
team.
33. Tampa Deep-Sea X-plorers
• What about Intellectual Property?
• All IP belongs to the company.
• Team members who contributed to the
IP will be listed as contributors on any
patents, trademarks, copyrights, or
other legal documentation.
• Team members own 20% of the
company.
34. The Ask
• Seed Money Phase
• $20,000 dollars needs to be raised.
• Registration of the LLC
• Registration in competition
• Website creation
• Logo and marketing materials
• Recruiting efforts
35. Why Participate?
• Prestige of participating in an XPRIZE!
• Own a piece of history!
• Advance existing technology!
• Contribute to human knowledge!
• The Thrill of Competition!
• FUN!
36. Summary
• Shell Ocean Discovery XPRIZE
• Open Competition
• UAV Development
• 7 Million Dollars in prizes
• Tampa Deep-Sea X-plorers, LLC
• 20 to 40 member Team
• Learning Adventure
