Student Devs: Build AI Agents, Compete for $55K in Prizes
Student Devs: Build AI Agents, Compete for $55K in Prizes 🎮 AI Skills Fest • June 4–14, 2026 • Free to Enter $55K Prize Pool 3 Challenge Tracks 10 Days of Hacking Free To Enter Whether you're a first-year CS student or a final-year senior with a portfolio full of projects, Agents League is the best way to gain hands-on experience with agentic AI this summer and walk away with real skills employers are hiring for right now. What You'll Actually Learn Forget passive tutorials. Agents League is project-based learning at full speed. By the end of the hackathon, you'll have built a working AI agent and gained practical experience with the tools shaping the future of software development. 🤖 AI-Assisted Development Use GitHub Copilot to accelerate your coding workflow — from scaffolding to debugging — the way professional developers do today. 🧩 Multi-Step Reasoning Build agents with Microsoft Foundry that can plan, reason, and execute complex tasks — the core of agentic AI. 🏢 Enterprise AI Patterns Learn to build production-ready agents that integrate with Microsoft 365 and Copilot Studio — skills that translate directly to industry jobs. 🔧 Prompt Engineering Design effective prompts and orchestration flows that make AI agents reliable and useful in the real world. 📦 GitHub Workflows Submit your project through GitHub — practising version control, README writing, and open-source collaboration. 🎯 Competitive Problem-Solving Work under real constraints with deadlines, judging criteria, and peer competition — just like industry hackathons and sprints. Pick Your Track (or Try All Three) Agents League has three challenge tracks, each using different Microsoft AI tools. Choose based on your interests or stretch yourself by competing in multiple tracks. Track 01. Creative Apps Build an innovative application with AI-assisted development. This track rewards creativity, dream big and let GitHub Copilot help you bring ideas to life faster than ever. Tool: GitHub Copilot Track 02. Reasoning Agents Create intelligent agents that solve complex problems through multi-step reasoning. Think: agents that can research, plan, and act. This is the cutting edge of AI. Tool: Microsoft Foundry Track 03. Enterprise Agents Build knowledge agents that integrate with Microsoft 365 Copilot. Learn how businesses are deploying AI today and add enterprise AI to your skillset. Tool: Copilot Studio • M365 Opportunities You Won't Want to Miss Agents League isn't just a competition, it's a launchpad. Here's what's in it for you beyond the code: 💰 Win from a $55,000 USD Prize Pool Prizes are awarded across all three tracks smaller teams and solo hackers have a real shot. 📺 Watch Live Coding Battles at Microsoft Reactor See industry experts go head-to-head building AI agents live. Learn advanced techniques you can apply immediately to your own project. 🎓 Free Learning Resources on Microsoft Learn Access curated learning paths and the AI Skills Navigator, structured content designed to get you from zero to submission-ready. 🌍 Join a Global Developer Community Connect with thousands of developers on the Agents League Discord. Find teammates, ask questions, and build your professional network. 📂 Build Your Portfolio with a Real Project Every submission lives on GitHub. Walk away with a polished, public project that demonstrates your AI skills to future employers and grad schools. 🏆 Gain Recognition from Microsoft and the Community Top projects get visibility across the Microsoft developer ecosystem. Stand out from the crowd in internship and job applications. Key Dates to Remember Event Date Hacking Period Opens June 4, 2026 Registration Deadline June 12, 2026 — 12:00 PM PT Submission Deadline June 14, 2026 — 11:59 PM PT How to Get Started (Right Now) You don't have to wait until June 4th to start preparing. Here's your pre-hackathon game plan: Register for the hackathon it's free and open to everyone. Pick a track that matches your interests or curiosity. Explore the learning resources on Microsoft Learn and the AI Skills Navigator. Join the Discord community to find teammates and get early tips. Watch the Reactor event series for live coding battles and expert walkthroughs. Set up your GitHub repo and start experimenting before the hacking window opens. Helpful Links Register for Agents League Free entry, sign up now Microsoft Reactor Events Live coding battles & workshops AI Skills Fest The broader event Microsoft Learn Free learning paths The Arena Awaits 🏆 Ten days. Three tracks. $55K in prizes. Whether you go solo or squad up, this is your chance to build something real with AI and have a blast doing it. Register Now It's Free | Watch Reactor Events Agents League is part of AI Skills Fest and is open to the public at no cost. Review the Hackathon Rules and Regulations and the Microsoft Event Code of Conduct before participating.Take Your Startup from Campus to the Cloud at the European AI and Cloud Summit
Why University Startups Should Attend This is more than just a conference—it’s a launchpad for student-led startups eager to make their mark in AI and cloud computing. Here’s how the summit can accelerate your journey: - Pitch to Industry Leaders: Present your solution to a live audience of investors, potential clients, and mentors. - Build Connections: Meet industry pioneers, Microsoft experts, and other startups—expand your network and unlock collaboration opportunities. - Gain Expertise: Learn from thought leaders in AI and cloud through insightful talks and workshops. 🏆 AI Competition: A Game-Changing Opportunity The AI & Cloud Startup Stage competition is specifically designed for emerging startups, like those in university accelerator programs, that are building AI with Microsoft Azure. Compete against other top startups for incredible prizes, including: - $25,000 in Microsoft Azure Credits to power your solution. - A one-on-one mentoring session with Marco Casalaina, VP of Products at Azure AI. - Exclusive access to the resources and support of the Microsoft for Startups Program. How to Apply: Make sure your product or solution runs on AI from Microsoft Azure. Register your start-up and submit your application by 14 April 2025. Register NOW AI Competition 2025 Application Form If shortlisted, you'll pitch live on 28 May 2025 to a panel of experts and an audience of innovators. Launch Your Startup on the Summit Stage University startups are uniquely positioned to drive fresh ideas and bold solutions. The AI and Cloud Startup Area offers a cost-effective way to showcase your product, connect with the ecosystem, and gain visibility in the tech space. Whether you choose a booth or launchpad, this summit is your platform to shine. 📢 Ready to Seize the Moment? Don’t miss out—tickets are already 70% sold out! Visit the [European AI and Cloud Summit](https://ecs.events) website to learn more, purchase tickets, or download the sponsorship brochure. Be part of a community that transforms ideas into impactful businesses. This is your opportunity to move your startup from the accelerator into the global market. Düsseldorf is calling—see you there! 🌍🎉Kickoff the 2025 Imagine Cup: Unleash Your Innovation Potential!
Get ready to embark on an exciting journey with the 2025 Imagine Cup! :party_popper: Join us live to celebrate the launch of the new season and discover Microsoft’s premier global technology competition for student founders. This event is packed with valuable insights into the competition’s structure, goals, and benefits, helping you learn how to participate and succeed.Unleash Your AI-Powered Startup at Imagine Cup 2024
Welcome to the 2024 Imagine Cup, the ultimate playground for visionary AI developers and tech-savvy entrepreneurs. If you're passionate about AI and eager to make your mark on the global stage, this is the competition you've been waiting for. In this blog, we'll walk you through the amazing opportunities that await you in this year's Imagine Cup.Hack Together! AI + Power Platform = âť“âť“âť“
From September 14th – 28th, Hack Together: The Power Platform AI Global Hack will be in full swing! This is your chance to get skills in AI and low-code/no-code tech that will bring your ideas to life in no time! Get signed up, it's free! This event isn’t just for AI and Power Platform pros, this is a chance for people to come and get a handle on the latest AI and low-code/no-code tech with the support of our Microsoft community! If this is your first time, come on in!
