Tom Siebel Offers 20 Million Dollar Prize

02.12.09 | Category: Breaking News, Power Zen, Unexpected, Valley Future

Tom Siebel and Drue Kataoka
After his presentation today, Tom Siebel fielded audience questions.
A voice began speaking…

“What are you?” Siebel asked.
“A freshman,” the voice said.
“What are you studying?”
“Still figuring that out.”
“Me too,” said Siebel.

Silicon Valley gets Zen.

In the 80s and 90s, Siebel’s expertise in relational database theory helped him make Siebel Systems a global leader in software. Now he is becoming a Zen beginner—moving away from his domain, IT (Information Technology) into a totally new arena (Energy Technology). Even though Siebel has spent the last three years doing research on energy issues, this is uncharted territory for him. He’s taking a radical departure from his “comfort zones” in order to tackle pressing ecological problems.

Siebel gave us a sneak preview of his latest two endeavors: an Energy-Free Home Challenge and the launching of a new company C3. Even though he said his Challenge is not competing with X-Prize, he will be giving Peter Diamandis a run for his money. Siebel is not afraid to throw money at a brave idea, and he has plenty to throw.

The Energy-Free Home Challenge will offer $20M in total prize money from the Siebel Foundation. The challenge is to find a way to build houses with consumer appeal that consume net zero energy at the end of a year. The houses must be built with no more expense than traditional construction methods.

C3 is a new company, run by Siebel Systems Co-founder Pat House, that will make enterprise software to help companies “monitor, mitigate, and monetize” their carbon footprint. As usual, Siebel has assembled a dream team. Pat House is not only brilliant, but in person she is also gracious and grounded. Also enjoyed talking with Yann Risz, VP Alliances who had some very interesting perspectives to share (see photos below).

Green is the new…green. ValleyZen looks forward to seeing what innovations will win the $20 million dollars.

Drue Kataoka and Pat House, C3 CEO. House was the co-founder and Vice Chairman of Siebel Systems. House has been named one of Fortune’s 50 Most Powerful Women and Entrepreneur of the Year by the Forum of Women Entrepreneurs.

Yann Risz, VP Alliances, and Drue

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13 Comments so far

  1. Martin 02.13.09 at 9:56 am

    Hi Drue,

    Excellent post, even though I was at the lecture your summary of what was said is very useful.

    Thanks,

    Martin

  2. Drue Kataoka 02.21.09 at 8:56 pm

    @ Martin – Thanks for coming and saying hi after the presentation. Glad you liked this summary. What did you find most provocative about Siebel’s talk?

  3. Svetlozar 02.23.09 at 9:28 pm

    Sounds like a very serious task. I wonder how long it will take for someone to win the prize money.

  4. Serdar Badem 03.01.09 at 10:17 pm

    I found it somewhat depressing when Siebel said that much of the premise of the post-industrial society has been realized. He sounded pessimistic when he argued that most of the things to be accomplished in IT industry has been accomplished.

  5. C3: Siebel, Condoleezza Rice, and Close to $26M 12.30.09 at 1:40 pm

    [...] according to two people that attended the speech (Dave Kellogg, the CEO of Mark Logic, and ValleyZen). Both reported that C3 would be focused on helping companies “monitor, mitigate and [...]

  6. Antonio Casals 02.13.10 at 1:25 pm

    If Tom and Pat wants to get a Energy-Free Home at a reasonable price … I trust it. It’s nice to see them together at work again. C3 will be for sure a succesfull project.

  7. Hasan Qureshi 03.02.10 at 10:29 pm

    I am excited!! With ‘dream team’ heading C3 (Tom Siebel, Pat House, Ed Abbo, Bruce Cleveland, George Gallegos and many many more senior executives from Siebel Systems) they will surely bring something phenominal to the market. Not to mention Dr. Condoleezza Rice is also on the Board of Directors. Well done Tom!!

    Sincerely.
    Hasan-

  8. Stefano Feroci 04.08.10 at 6:19 am

    Tom’s vision is trasforming in something solid to build. I trust the idea will be a success.

  9. Siebel, Condi Rice-Backed Carbon Startup C3 Ups Funds 04.09.10 at 7:11 am

    [...] to two people that attended the speech (Dave Kellogg, the CEO of Mark Logic, and Drue Kataoka of ValleyZen). Both reported that C3 would be focused on helping companies “monitor, mitigate and monetize” [...]

  10. Siebel, Condi Rice-backed Carbon Startup C3 Ups Funds | Gadget Public Informations 04.09.10 at 1:39 pm

    [...] to two people that attended the speech (Dave Kellogg, the CEO of Mark Logic, and Drue Kataoka of ValleyZen). Both reported that C3 would be focused on helping companies “monitor, mitigate and monetize” [...]

  11. Siebel, Condi Rice-backed Carbon Startup C3 Ups Funds - A Collection of Latest Happening in Technology Field 04.11.10 at 11:31 am

    [...] to two people that attended the speech (Dave Kellogg, the CEO of Mark Logic, and Drue Kataoka of ValleyZen). Both reported that C3 would be focused on helping companies “monitor, mitigate and monetize” [...]

  12. Siebel, Condi Rice-Backed C3 Looking to Raise Close to $50M: Cleantech News « 10.04.10 at 2:00 pm

    [...] to two people that attended the speech (Dave Kellogg, the CEO of Mark Logic, and Drue Kataoka of ValleyZen). Both reported that C3 would be focused on helping companies “monitor, mitigate and monetize” [...]

  13. Dan W 08.12.11 at 1:58 pm

    Who won the Thomas Siebel challenge for a zero carbon foot print home? Thank you for your reply

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