The Breakthrough Prizes were founded by Sergey Brin, Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg, Yuri and Julia Milner, and Anne Wojcicki.

The Prizes have been sponsored by the personal foundations established by Sergey Brin, Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg, Ma Huateng, Jack Ma, Yuri and Julia Milner, and Anne Wojcicki.

[3] Committees of previous laureates choose the winners from candidates nominated in a process that is online and open to the public.

They attend a televised award ceremony designed to celebrate their achievements and inspire the next generation of scientists.

It is molded into the shape of a toroid, recalling natural forms found from black holes and galaxies to seashells and coils of DNA.