[DugwayDuke]

Now, where would either of these groups get financing for such a venture? I'll "bet" no one with that kind of money would touch that kind of "investment".

Whether this prize thing would work would ultimately come down to a source of funding. Now, name a credible source of several billion dollars on such a gamble.

[Analyzing Inconsistencies]

Numerous capitalists, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists could come up with "angel capital" and then there's always the IPO on Wall Street. If Wall Street demanded guaranteed profitability, Elon Musk wouldn't be where he is today.