Business Competitions

Global Security Challenge

Top Prize: $500,000 (cash grant)
Host: London Business School

Specifically designed to help start-ups in the booming post-September 11 security field, the second annual competition increased the prize money from $10,000 to $500,000 (thanks to the Technical Support Working Group at the U.S. Defense Dept.) making it "the biggest business plan competition in the world," according to co-founder Simon Schneider. Clifford King, co-founder of this year's winner, NoblePeak Vision, says his company plans to use the grant to expand its night-vision product beyond the security field into the automotive and military sectors. Winning "a competition like this is a huge validation, but the money is also very nice," admits King, at center in the photo.