Develop Bold Solutions.
Compete for the World Stage.
Join the next generation of startup founders solving real problems through technology, powered by Microsoft tools, mentorship, and a global community.
Get inspired by past Imagine Cup winners and see how far innovation can go.
"As a blind, young, and female founder, having people truly see the vision behind what you build isn't always easy. But Microsoft Imagine Cup saw it and amplified it. It was our big bang: our first investment, the catalyst that took us global."
Learn moreInnovate. Validate. Accelerate.
Scale
You’ve got traction, and now it’s time to Scale with intention.
Take that leap with Imagine Cup. Refine your product-market fit for leading organizations and unlock new growth through Microsoft’s trusted AI and global ecosystem. If your student led startup already has users, early traction, or capital, whether through any amount of dilutive funding or no more than $5,000,000 USD in combined dilutive or external, non-dilutive funding, you may be ready for Scale.
Join the Scale path and take your solution to the world stage.
Prizing:
- $100,000 USD*
- Mentorship session with Microsoft Chairman and CEO, Satya Nadella
- Opportunities for deeper partnership with Microsoft for Startups.
Launch
You’re building something with real potential, and the Launch path will help you take it further.
Build momentum, sharpen your vision, and prepare for growth. If you’re developing an AI-powered solution, have not received any amount of dilutive funding, or no more than $100,000 USD in external, non-dilutive funding. Launch gives you the guidance and resources to move forward. Whether you’ve built a prototype, tested an MVP, or are still refining your direction, this is where ideas become market ready.
Join the Launch path and position your work for the global community.
Prizing:
$50,000 USD*
Continued visibility and support from Microsoft
Make tech matter where it counts most
Choose a category that inspires you, or create your own, and start building with Microsoft’s trusted AI technologies. The challenge is yours to define.
Cybersecurity
As organizations become more digital and distributed, security shifts from being a basic safeguard to a strategic, AI-driven advantage.
Education
AI is transforming how institutions design, deliver, and personalize education, helping teachers save time, students stay engaged, and learning outcomes improve at scale.
Financial Services
From mobile wallets to fraud detection, AI is changing how financial institutions operate, making services faster, safer, and more accessible.
Health and Life Sciences
Healthcare is becoming more connected, with AI supporting faster diagnoses, accelerating research, and helping clinicians deliver better outcomes.
Retail and Consumer Goods
From supply chain to storefront, agentic AI is redefining how brands anticipate needs, optimize inventory, and create more personalized experiences.
Next steps: your 2026 roadmap
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01Register to compete:Join the Imagine Cup 2026 competition.
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02Unlock Azure benefits:Access $1,000 USD free Azure credits and tools.
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03Join the Sprint to Imagine Cup:Build, refine, or strengthen your solution with support, resources, and expert guidance.
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04Submit your entry:Final submissions due by January 5, 2026.
In Their Own Words: The Imagine Cup Experience
From first-time builders to student-led startups scaling with traction, Imagine Cup alumni share how the competition shaped their journey. Real stories, real lessons, and proof of what’s possible when innovation meets Microsoft’s trusted AI ecosystem.
Get Inspired
Learn about past competitors’ journeys through the competition and find resources to get started.
