Skolkovo is dangling $400,000 worth of prizes in front of the tech startups that can revolutionize computer hardware - and possibly take humanity beyond a simple doubling of processor power every two years.
Moore’s law states that computer capacity increases twofold roughly every 24 months, a loop we’ve been stuck in for half a century.
With its "More than Moore" contest, Skolkovo is inviting Russian and foreign companies alike to submit their designs for new computer hardware.
Applicants may use existing components but their projects must display innovation, organizers say.
“The aim of the contest is to find projects with high innovation potential to discover new data transfer, storage and processing technology,” a statement on the contest’s website says.
The projects may include existing components but the overall approach must be innovative, organizers say.
Applications will be accepted for two months commencing September 15, after which a jury will decide upon a list of finalists. The winner will be announced on December 15.
Organizers are hoping to receive upwards of 50 entrants. The most promising enterprises will be assessed for Skolkovo resident status, qualify for prize money and receive financial support from 13 contest partners including Intel, Frost & Sullivan and the Russian Communications Ministry.
Russia is a renowned powerhouse in software development but the hardware market is often described as neglected.
Barriers to entry include much higher startup costs than in software and lack of an existing technology base upon which to build.