VMware is challenging the world with a $200,000 contest to foster continued innovation in developing virtual appliances.

They define a virtual appliance as a pre-built, pre-configured, and ready to run software application, all packaged within a virtual machine.  They can be run using virtualization products such as the free VMware Player and VMware Server.

There are three prizes, the first prize being $100,000, the second prize $50,000 and the third prize $25,000.  Additionally, Best Collegiate Appliance, Best Consumer Appliance, Best Developer Appliance, Best Server Appliance and VMTN Community Choice Appliance awards will be given where each winner will receive $5000.

The judges are a whos who:

Dr. Mendel Rosenblum, VMware Chief Scientist and Co-Founder
Jason Brooks, senior analyst at eWeek
Stephen Elliot, research manager of enterprise systems management software at IDC
Roger Howorth, enterprise editor at IT Week
Tim O'Reilly, founder of O'Reilly Media
Dave Parsons, vice president of engineering at ALG Software
Mark Shuttleworth, founder of Ubuntu Linux

Sounds like a great challenge! 

Registration and contest details are available here.