開始にあたってのご案内

Visit the Imagine Cup homepage and click 'Register now' to sign up for the competition. Once you have registered, you will be able to see the competition on your account page. All team members will need to create an account and register.

Participants must be at least 18 years old as of September 30, 2025; an enrolled student at an accredited educational institution between September 30, 2025, and May 31, 2026, and from a country not prohibited by U.S. export regulations. Mentors are not considered team members for the purpose of this competition. Please see the  rules and regulations  for full eligibility criteria.

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 September 30, 2025 and May 31, 2026.

Yes, we understand your journey is evolving, and if you are not a previous world champion, we welcome you to submit a solution to the 2026 competition.

各参加者は、コンテストで 1 つのチームにのみ所属できます。1 回のラウンドで提出できるエントリは 1 つだけです。複数の申請を行った場合は、最後に提出した内容が公式エントリとして使用されます。

Imagine Cup のアカウント ページに移動すると、アカウントの詳細を確認し、登録と申請の状態をチェックして、チームを管理できます。

Absolutely! We encourage all students who are interested to apply.

From startups with real traction to early-stage builders, Imagine Cup offers two distinct paths to help you grow.

Scale
If you’ve already secured users, revenue, or capital— and you have not received more than $5,000,000 USD in combined dilutive or external, non-dilutive funding – the Scale track is for you. You’ll focus on refining product-market fit and preparing to scale your solution into leading organizations. Top 3 Scale teams will secure their spot at the World Championship.

Launch
If you're developing an AI-powered solution but not yet ready for Scale, the Launch track helps you take the next step. Whether you’ve built a prototype, tested an MVP, or are validating your market fit, this track gives you the support to grow with clarity and confidence. Eligible teams have not received any amount of dilutive funding or have secured no more than $100,000 USD in external, non-dilutive funding. Launch winner will be announced after semifinals.

Dilutive funding involves giving up a percentage of ownership in the company in exchange for capital. Non-dilutive funding does not require giving up any equity. Examples include grants, loads, and revenue-based financing.

Choose a category that inspires you or create your own. The challenge is yours to define.

Education
AI is transforming how institutions design and deliver education, helping teachers save time, students stay engaged, and 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.

Cybersecurity
As organizations become more digital and distributed, security shifts from being a basic safeguard to a strategic, AI-driven advantage.

When you submit your MVP you will be asked to choose either the Scale or Launch path

Yes.

No. This year’s five categories highlight urgent challenges and opportunities for ingenuity. They are meant to inspire, not limit.

You are eligible to compete in the Scale path if you/your business has not received more than $5,000,000 USD in combined dilutive or external, non-dilutive funding. If you/your business has not received any dilutive funding and if you/your business has not received external, non-dilutive funding of more than $100,000 USD, you may choose to compete in either the Scale or Launch path. For full eligibility criteria for both paths, please check the rules and regulations.

Engage with us on social to stay up to date on tips and deadlines for the competition, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and X.

All team members must visit the  Imagine Cup homepage and click 'Register Now' to register and create an account. Once registered, you can create a team from your account page and invite others to join. If someone invites you to join their team, a notification will show up in your account. Invitations to join a team must be accepted before the minimum viable product (MVP) submission deadline.

チームは 1 名から 4 名までの資格のある学生で構成できます。各チームは、異なる学術機関や異なる国の出身である場合があります。資格のある学生最大 4 名がチームとして 1 つのエントリを提出できます。

チームは複数の国/地域および/または大学のメンバーで構成される場合があります。詳細については、「規則と規制」をご確認ください。

不適格なチーム メンバーは、Imagine Cup アカウント ページを使用してチームから自分自身を削除し、参加を中止する必要があります。チームの登録済みメンバーとして引き続き参加している場合、チームは失格となる可能性があります。

公式チームの登録メンバー 4 名以外にも、特定の分野の追加の学生やメンター (通常は学術機関、非営利団体、民間企業) からソリューションに関する支援を受けることができます。追加の学生とメンターは、コンテストの規則および規制の目的上、チーム メンバーとはみなされません。賞品、表彰式への参加、公式コミュニケーションの対象となるのは、Microsoft に正式に登録された最大 4 人のチーム メンバーのみです。

Your product must be built with and require two (2) or more Microsoft AI service(s) to operate. Submissions must include a pitch deck, recorded pitch video, and recorded demo video, all addressing the judging criteria outlined in the rules. Judging criteria includes Microsoft cloud and AI technology implementation, inclusive design, viability of the solution, and founder-led validation and continuous improvement. Full judging criteria can be found in the rules and regulations. All entries must be in English.

Join the Sprint to Imagine Cup to help prepare your MVP submission.

• Take part in live workshops hosted by Microsoft’s MVPs (Most Valuable Professionals), where global experts guide you through practical ways to apply Microsoft AI to your startup.
• Visit the Microsoft Learn Student Hub to utilize free learning paths and quick start guides and explore the latest resources on AI.
• Unlock Azure Benefits: Access $1,000 USD free Azure credits and tools.

アカウント ページで、エントリを提出してエントリの状態を確認できます。各ラウンドの期限は、アカウントページで確認でき、規則と規制にも詳しく記載されています。準決勝および世界選手権ラウンドに進出したチームは、審査後 7 日以内にブログ投稿として掲載されます。進出する各チーム メンバーには、エントリ時に提供された連絡先を通じて通知されます。

すべての知的財産権は、エントリのそれぞれの所有者に残ります。Microsoft は申請に対して所有権を主張しません。

You will gain benefits throughout each stage of the competition, including access to Azure credits and industry-leading AI services, mentorship and guidance on business and technical challenges, and global community. The winners of the Launch path will win $50,000 USD* which will be equally divided among registered team members and may also have the opportunity to attend Microsoft Build in-person.

The Scale path World Champion will win $100,000 USD*, which will be equally divided among registered team members, a mentoring session with Microsoft Chairman and CEO, Satya Nadella, and opportunities for deeper partnership with Microsoft for Startups. Select Scale finalists may also have the opportunity to attend Microsoft Build in-person.
*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.

詳細については、プライバシーと Cookie の Microsoft Imagine Cup のポリシーをご確認ください。