Imagine Cup

Dream it. Build it. Live it.

Unlock your startup’s potential with the Imagine Cup – the premier global technology startup competition for student founders using AI technologies on the Microsoft Cloud. Compete for the grand prize of USD100,000* and a mentorship session with Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella. Gain access to networking opportunities, global recognition and expert coaching during the competition to accelerate your startup.

Start your journey now

A group of students working on advanced technology using virtual reality

Benefits of Competing

Access to AI Technology

Accelerate your growth and scale quickly with access to industry-leading AI services through Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub.

Two students look at a computer together

Expert Technical Advice and Founder Guidance

Receive 1-on-1 mentorship and immediate guidance from Microsoft experts to solve business and technical challenges quickly.

3 students on an Imagine Cup team take a group photo

Prizes and Global Recognition

Win up to USD100,00 and an exclusive mentoring session with Microsoft Chairman and CEO, Satya Nadella!

Learn more about the benefits

Start building with Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub

world finals winner and 2024 Imagine Cup champion

Gain free access to industry-leading AI services, increased credits with fewer restrictions, and essential tools. Build with AI that meets your unique needs using Azure AI Studio. With models like OpenAI GPT-4o, Microsoft Research Phi-3, and Meta’s Llama 3.1, you’ll have the resources to develop scalable and impactful AI solutions.

world finals winner and 2024 Imagine Cup champions

Join our Student Community

Join our Discord to seek technical help, find teammates, and connect with Imagine Cup participants.

Join our Discord

Competition Schedule

01

Submit to Optional Idea Round
Start your journey by structuring your idea using the Lean Canvas framework for a chance to win mentorship with industry experts.

Submit by October 31, 2024
02

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.

November 1, 2024 - January 22, 2025
03

Semifinals

Gain access to additional benefits to accelerate your growth, including mentorship, global recognition, and expert guidance within Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub.

February - March 2025
04

World Championship

Hone your pitch and showcase your startup on a global stage at the culmination of the competition.

May 2025

*Open only to enrolled high-school or college/university students 18+. For additional eligibility criteria, round start/end dates, and detailed instructions on how to participate, see the Imagine Cup Official Rules and Regulations.

Get Inspired

Learn about past competitors’ journeys through the competition and find resources to get started.

Welcome to the 2025 Imagine Cup

Get ready for the 2025 Microsoft Imagine Cup: Let the innovation begin!

Meet the 2024 World Champion: Team FROM YOUR EYES

Congratulations to Team FROM YOUR EYES from Turkey!

2024 Imagine Cup World Championship

Recap the action and watch the moment the 2024 winner is crowned champion.

Introducing the 2024 Imagine Cup World Championship Judges!

Meet the judges tasked with selecting who wins the 2024 Imagine Cup

Announcing the Top Three Teams of the 2024 Imagine Cup!

Congrats to the top 3 teams and their innovations moving forward to the 2024 World Championship.

Meet the Judges of the Imagine Cup 2024 Semifinals!

Announcing the judges for the 2024 Imagine Cup Semifinals.

Meet the 2024 Semi Finalists

Meet the Semi Finalists and their projects selected to advance in the competition.

A conversation with Imagine Cup Director, Tina Jones

Get the inside scoop on everything you need to know about Imagine Cup – from exciting benefits to essential deadlines.

Your Journey Continues: Next Steps for the 2024 Imagine Cup

Explore the exciting next steps on your path to AI innovation and entrepreneurship.

Welcome to the 2024 Imagine Cup!

Learn more about the competition!

Meet the 2023 World Champion: Team TAWI

Congratulations to Team TAWI from Kenya!

2023 Imagine Cup World Championship

Recap the action and watch the moment the 2023 winner is crowned champion.

Meet the Imagine Cup World Championship judges!

Learn about the experts who will select this year's World Champion.

Meet the top 3 teams!

Congrats to the top 3 teams and their innovations moving forward to the 2023 World Championship.

Meet the 2023 World Finals Judges!

Learn about the experts who will select the top 3 teams to move forward to the world championships.

Meet the 2023 World Finalists!

Meet the World Finalists and their projects selected to advance in the competiton.

Meet the 2023 Epic Challenge winners!

Get to know the 2023 Epic Challange winning teams and their projects.

Welcome to the 2023 Imagine Cup!

Learn more about the competition and start your journey today!

Meet the 2022 World Champion: Team V Bionic!

Congrats to Team V Bionic from Saudi Arabia for their hand paralysis rehabilitation solution.

2022 Imagine Cup World Championship

Recap the action and watch the moment the 2022 winner is crowned champion.

Meet the Imagine Cup World Championship judges

Learn about the experts who will select this year's World Champion

Meet the top 3 Imagine Cup teams

Congrats to the top 3 teams and their innovations moving forward to the 2022 World Championship

Meet the 2022 Imagine Cup World Finals judges

Learn about the experts who will select the top 3 teams to move forward to the World Championships

Meet 2022 Imagine Cup World Finalists

Meet the 48 teams and their projects selected to advance in the competition

Meet the Epic Challenge winners

Get to know the 2022 Epic Challenge winning teams and their projects

Welcome to the 20th anniversary of the Imagine Cup

Check out resources and how to start your competition journey.

Meet the 2021 World Champion: Team REWEBA!

Congrats Team REWEBA from Kenya for their IOT infant monitoring solution.

2021 Imagine Cup World Championship

Recap the action and watch the moment the 2021 Imagine Cup winner is crowned champion.

2021 Imagine Cup World Finals recap

Recap the action from the 2021 Imagine Cup World Finals, where the top 38 teams pitched their projects for impact.

2021 Imagine Cup: Top 4 teams

Congrats to the top 4 teams and their innovations moving forward to the 2021 World Championship.

2021 Imagine Cup Top 12 teams

Meet the top 12 teams selected to compete for World Championship spots.

2021 Imagine Cup category feature: Earth

Learn about the Earth category finalist teams and their innovations.

2021 Imagine Cup category feature: Education

Meet the top teams in the Education competition category and learn about their tech solutions.

2021 Imagine Cup category feature: Healthcare

Learn about the Healthcare category finalist teams and their innovations.

2021 Imagine Cup category feature: Lifestyle

Meet the top teams in the Lifestyle competition category and learn about their tech solutions.

Microsoft Learn Challenge January winners!

Meet the January Microsoft Learn Challenge winners who've won USD250 for their submissions.

2021 Imagine Cup World Finalists

Meet the World Finalists selected to advance in the 2021 competition to pitch their innovations.

Microsoft Learn Challenge December winners!

Check out the December teams who’ve won USD250 for their Microsoft Learn Challenge submission.

Microsoft Learn Challenge November winners!

Here are the November teams who’ve won USD250 in the first step of their Imagine Cup journey.

Microsoft Learn Challenge October winners!

Meet the five teams who’ve won USD250 in the first step of their Imagine Cup journey.

7 reasons to compete in the 2021 Imagine Cup

Check out why you should sign up to bring your tech idea to life.

Reimagine our world with technology in the 2021 Imagine Cup

We’re looking for bold thinkers and big dreamers to join the 2021 competition journey.

2020 Imagine Cup World Championship

Watch the six Imagine Cup finalists compete for the 2020 trophy at the Imagine Cup World Championship during Microsoft Build.

Meet the 2020 Imagine Cup World Champion!

Congratulations Team Hollo from Hong Kong SAR, winners of the 2020 Imagine Cup World Championship

2020 Imagine Cup Americas Regional Final

Share in the journey of the 10 regional finalist teams from across the Americas virtually pitching their technology solutions during the 2020 Americas Regional Final

Congratulations to our 2020 Imagine Cup Americas Regional Final winners!

Here are the November teams who’ve won USD250 in the first step of their Imagine Cup journey.

2020 Imagine Cup EMEA Regional Final

Meet the five teams who’ve won USD250 in the first step of their Imagine Cup journey.

2020 Imagine Cup Asia Regional Final

Check out why you should sign up to bring your tech idea to life.

Congratulations to our 2020 Imagine Cup EMEA Regional Final winners!

Meet Team The Knights from Kenya and Team RedWalls from Tunisia, winners of the Imagine Cup EMEA Regional Final

Congratulations to our 2020 Imagine Cup Asia Regional Final winners!

Meet Team Syrinx from Japan and Team Hollo from Hong Kong SAR, winners of the Imagine Cup Asia Regional Final

Meet the 2020 Imagine Cup Americas Regional Finalists

Meet the 10 teams selected in advance to 2020 Americas Regional Final

Meet the 2020 Imagine Cup EMEA Regional Finalists

Meet the 10 teams selected in advance to 2020 EMEA Regional Final

Meet the 2020 Imagine Cup Asia Regional Finalists

Meet the 10 teams selected in advance to 2020 Asia Regional Final