It's about 4:16 in the morning.

Arrived at the airport.

Ready to go.

I'm Jake, one of 40 finalists competing

for the $100,000 Thiel grant.

It all comes down to a two minute pitch.

And one life-changing decision

to drop out of school and pursue our dreams.

This is Teen Technorati.

I'm working on a product called Bambina and I'm

tracking vital signs in babies.

Hive is a crowd-sourced super computer.

Prime is a modular wheelchair,

which is easily customizable.

My idea is to predict wars.

The platform that'll allow you to create

multi-player, real time educational games.

I am the founder and designer of an app called Finish.

I have created an algorithm that I named Doc Bot.

I'm here to end Cancer.

In two short days, we've all gotta face

the Lightning Round.

A two minute pitch where we have to convince the

judges that our ideas are worth a six figure investment.

My product is a comprehensive, radiation shield

composed of four layers.

Carbon Nanotubes, Polyethylene, Boron Nitride

Nanotubes, and Radiation Dosimeters.

My whole thing isn't the radiation side.

It's going to Mars.

Last year I had, like, a little YouTube sensation fame.

I made a prom video request to Kate Upton

that went viral.

I'm usually confident, like, I'm always like,

Oh yeah, I'll be fine.

I can match up wits against anyone and

I come here it's like

the NBA of IQ, I look at it, in science and technology.

And I'm like a third-string, division one walk on

who's just struggling to get on.

(upbeat music)

The Fellowship is a two year program,

where we give $100,000 to 20 young people a year.

To take their biggest ideas out of the classroom

and into the real world.

And all that we require of you is that

you're under 20 and that you're driven to try

and do things to change the world.

[Jake] But here's the catch.

Anyone who wins a Fellowship has to drop out of school.

Which makes things a little more controversial.

My mom actually took me aside, she said,

Alex, drop out of school.

My parents told me, You're an idiot if you drop out.

If I get the Fellowship, I'll definitely

drop out of school.

A big factor in my decision is, USC,

I'm on a scholarship there.

I'll miss the college experience.

I'll miss living with kids in a dorm.

On the other hand, I'll be 18 or 19

with the connections of an incredible

community and the actual ability to change the world.

So congratulations to all of you for

all of the hard work that you've done

that's helped bring you here today.

Good luck, and whether or not you end up

receiving a Thiel Fellowship, know that

your work's important.

And the world really needs things that matter.

(audience applause)

From the finalists I've talked to, nobody

has prepared a two minute lightning talk.

It's so nerve wracking.

All the lights shining on you.

[Jake] Oh, it's ridiculous.

[Alexander] And, like, 500 people and who knows

how many people in the audience.

The money is a very crucial thing.

It will enable me to have freedom.

Hopefully won't screw it up too badly.

Competition is something that definitely

exists this weekend.

But I don't wanna let it overcome me,

while I'm here.

40 finalists, 20 winners.

Who here has got what it take to be

a $100,00 college dropout?

And what would you do?

Take the grant or stay in school?

Let us know in the comments section.

And be sure to subscribe to the WIRED Channel

for the next episode of Teen Technorati.

When the games really begin.