Imagine Cup Champion
Awarded to the #1 overall startup.
- $250,000 USD cash award
- $1,000,000 USD in Startup Credits
- Recognition as the Imagine Cup Champion
Building something extraordinary is only the beginning
Compete for enterprise growth with Microsoft for Startups
- 25Years of Imagine Cup
- 190+Countries represented
- $250KCash prize for winner
- $1MIn startup credits for first place winner
Find the category built for your breakthrough
Compete alongside ambitious startups tackling consequential business and technology challenges. Select the category that best reflects your solution, customer, and market.
Developer tools
Build the tools, platforms, and infrastructure redefining how software is created, secured, deployed, and scaled.
Retail
Transform how brands and retailers understand customers, manage operations, deliver experiences, and drive growth.
Healthcare & life sciences
Advance solutions that improve healthcare delivery, research, operations, access, and outcomes.
Cybersecurity
Create technologies that help organizations protect identities, data, infrastructure, applications, and emerging AI systems.
Financial services
Redefine how financial institutions manage risk, serve customers, operate securely, and deliver trusted financial experiences.
Deep tech + physical AI
Build breakthrough technologies that connect advanced software and intelligence with the physical world.
Student startup
Turn an ambitious student-founded venture into a startup with real-world potential. This dedicated cross-industry category continues the Imagine Cup student legacy.
Seven categories.
One stage.
Imagine Cup 2027 in 90 seconds
Imagine Cup 2027 Prizes
Imagine Cup 2027 recognizes standout startups throughout the competition, from Category Winners and the Top 20 to the Top 3 Finalists and Imagine Cup Champion.
Imagine Cup Top 3 Finalists
The three highest-ranked startups competing for the Imagine Cup Championship.
Imagine Cup Champion
- $250,000 USD cash award
- $1,000,000 USD in Startup Credits
Imagine Cup Second Place
- $50,000 USD cash award
- $350,000 USD in Startup Credits
Imagine Cup Third Place
- $25,000 USD cash award
- $350,000 USD in Startup Credits
All Imagine Cup Top 3 Finalists also receive:
- Microsoft executive mentorship
- Social and blog features promoting their startups
- Feature in Imagine Cup 2027 Top 20 Startups, presented by Microsoft for Startups
Top Student Startup
One eligible student startup will be recognized as the Top Student Startup of 2027.
- $25,000 USD cash award
- $250,000 USD in Startup Credits
- Microsoft executive mentorship
- Social and blog features promoting the startup
- Feature in Imagine Cup 2027 Top 20 Startups, presented by Microsoft for Startups
Imagine Cup Category Winners
One standout startup from each Imagine Cup industry category will be recognized as an Imagine Cup Category Winner.
- Recognition as an Imagine Cup Category Winner
- Microsoft executive mentorship
- Social and blog features promoting the startup
- Feature in Imagine Cup 2027 Top 20 Startups, presented by Microsoft for Startups
Imagine Cup 2027 Top 20 Startups presented by Microsoft for Startups
Twenty standout startups recognized for their innovation and potential.
- Recognition as an Imagine Cup 2027 Top 20 Startup
- Opportunity to advance to the Imagine Cup Top 3 Finalists
More than a prize
Imagine Cup 2027 is built to accelerate your growth.
Gain access to resources, recognition, and opportunities designed to help take your startup further.
4 Ways to Win:
- Imagine Cup 2027 Top 20 Startups presented by Microsoft for Startups
- Imagine Cup 2027 Category Winners
- Top Student Startup
- Imagine Cup 2027 Top 3 Finalists
Global visibility
Be seen by a worldwide audience of customers, press and investors.
Startup resources
Programs, tooling and credits through Microsoft for Startups.
Azure benefits
Enterprise-grade AI infrastructure and Startup Credits for finalists.
Industry recognition
Credibility that opens doors with enterprise buyers and partners.
Your startup's' journey to the Imagine Cup stage
Apply Now-
Apply
Share your startup, solution, traction, and vision through Award Force.
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Stand out
Advance through expert review and judging as your startup demonstrates its potential.
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Take the stage
The three Finalists and the Student Prize winner present at the Imagine Cup World Championship.
Apply Now
Apply through Award Force, our official competition platform. Applications close on February 28, 2027.