Grand prize
- $250,000 USD cash award
- Up to $1 million USD in Azure credits
- Microsoft executive mentorship
- Global recognition at the Imagine Cup World Championship
Building something extraordinary is only the beginning
The global competition empowering startups to solve enterprise challenges
- 25Years of Imagine Cup
- 190+Countries represented
- 2M+Alumni innovators
- $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 global stage.
Imagine Cup 2027 in 90 seconds
Video and section copy to be supplied
What you can win
Finalist awards
- Cash awards for second- and third-place finalists
- Azure credits to continue building and scaling
- Visibility across Microsoft channels
- Recognition among Microsoft's leading startups of 2027
Business-changing opportunities
- Recognition as an Imagine Cup category winner
- A category-specific opportunity from an industry sponsor
- Microsoft mentorship and startup visibility
- Recognition among Microsoft's Top Startups of 2027
Student led startup prize
- $25,000 USD cash prize
- $250 USD in Azure credits – Recognition as a student-founded startup
- Inclusion in Microsoft's Startup Top 20 (2027)
- At least one social media post promoting your startup
- At least one blog feature highlighting your startup
- One mentoring session with a Microsoft executive
More than a prize. A catalyst for Growth
Everything a founder needs to go from prototype to enterprise-ready product.
4 Ways to Win:
- Industry category winners
- Top student startup
- Top 20 Startups of 2027
- Top Three - World Championship
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 Azure credits for finalists.
Industry recognition
Credibility that opens doors with enterprise buyers and partners.
Three steps from idea to scale
Apply with your startup, compete in front of Microsoft and industry judges, then scale with Microsoft behind you.
Apply Now-
Apply
Tell us about your team, your startup, and your enterprise solution. Submit through Award Force.
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Build
Regional semi-finals, then a world final. Mentorship and workshops between rounds.
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Compete
Winners and finalists get Azure credits, go-to-market support and the Microsoft network.
Ready To What's Next?
Apply Now
Apply through Award Force, our official competition platform. Applications close on February 28, 2027.