Imagine Cup

Overview of Imagine Cup

Unlock your startup’s potential with the Imagine Cup, the premier global technology competition for student founders using AI and the Microsoft Cloud to transform their innovative ideas into market-ready startups.

📍Location

Hybrid, Worldwide🌎

📅 Application deadlines

No upcoming deadlines

💸 Costs & Aid

Imagine Cup teams can win mentorship, networking opportunities, free travel, cash, and other great prizes. The World Champion wins $100,000 USD and a mentoring session with Microsoft Chairman and CEO, Satya Nadella. The top two teams from each Regional Final win USD8,000 cash, Azure credits, and a trip to Seattle. The three runner-up teams from each Regional Final win USD2,500 cash and Azure credits.

Eligibility Requirements

📋 General Requirements

You can create any solution you are passionate about, but it must include at least one Microsoft AI service and consider diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Each team can have a maximum of four (4) members. All must be students. If you have previously competed in an Imagine Cup event as a World Finalist or Regional Finalist, any entry submitted must be substantially new, unique, and different from anything previously submitted. You are eligible to compete if your business has not received any dilutive funding and has not received external, non-dilutive funding of more than $100,000 USD.

👥 Age Requirements

Participants must be at least 18 years old as of October 1, 2024. If you are 18 years of age or older but have not reached the age of majority in your legal place of residence, you must have the consent of a parent/legal guardian.

📚 Grade Requirements

All team members must be enrolled students at an accredited educational institution that grants high-school or college/university (or equivalent) degrees (including home schools) at any time between October 1, 2024, and May 31, 2025.

🌍 Eligible Countries

Permanent resident Worldwide

Application Process

Visit the Imagine Cup homepage and click 'Register Now' to sign up for the competition. Once registered, you will be able to see the competition on your account page. All team members will need to create an account and register. Submissions should include a pitch deck, recorded pitch, and demo video, all addressing the judging criteria outlined in the official rules. Your product must be built with and require one (1) or more Microsoft AI service(s) to operate. All entries must be in English.

📅 The competition spans several months, starting in November and concluding in May of the following year.

Duration

Several months

Program Dates

Nov 1, 2024 - May 19, 2025

Application Deadlines

Oct 31, 2024 — Optional Idea Round Submission
Submit to Optional Idea Round
Jan 22, 2025 — Minimum Viable Product Submission
Develop a functional version of your idea that is ready to demo to judges to advance your solution towards market readiness.