Turn your innovative idea into reality with the Microsoft Imagine Cup
Are you a student with an original idea that could possibly change the world? The 2025 Microsoft Imagine Cup is your opportunity to develop your idea, showcase your solution, and shine on a global stage.
Register now for the 2025 Imagine Cup!
The Imagine Cup is the premier global technology competition for student founders leveraging AI to push the boundaries of innovation. Unlock your startup’s potential with the Imagine Cup and turn your innovative idea into a market-ready startup.
Benefits of participating in Imagine Cup
- Access to AI technology with Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub: All competitors will gain free access to industry-leading AI services, Azure credits with fewer restrictions, and essential tools to accelerate your growth and scale quickly through Founders Hub. 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.
- Expert technical advice and founder guidance: Microsoft is here to support you throughout the competition, helping grow your idea into a viable, market-ready solution, while providing guidance refining your pitch. Through the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub, participants gain access to the Expert Network to seek advice and feedback on immediate business challenges, and Azure Pairing sessions to get advice from Azure engineers on the latest in AI, optimizing infrastructure, reducing costs, and more.
- Global recognition and networking with industry leaders: Connect with a global network of fellow founders and industry leaders. Increase your international visibility as you progress further through the competition with featured content about your startup on Microsoft social channels. Select finalists may also have the opportunity to attend Microsoft Build in person, where they will present, gain exposure, and make essential connections
The winning team will receive $100,000 USD 1 and an exclusive mentoring session with Microsoft Chairman and CEO, Satya Nadella! The two runner-up teams will each receive $25,000 USD1.
Optional idea submissions for early feedback are due October 31, 2024 and MVP submissions are due January 22, 2025. Get started today and register for 2025 Imagine Cup to start building the future.
What's next?
- Register for 2025 Imagine Cup! You can manage your team and personal profile on your account page.
- Sign up for Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub to gain access to industry-leading AI services, credits, and essential tools. Sign up with the same email address and select Imagine Cup as your Microsoft partner.
- To apply for Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub, your startup must meet all program eligibility requirements. View more information on eligibility requirements for applying to Founders Hub.
- Submit a Lean Canvas to the optional idea round by October 31, 2024 for a chance to gather early feedback from industry experts prior to building your minimum viable product (MVP). An MVP is required for general submission on January 22, 2025. Additional information on the competition structure is listed below.
- Join us on Discord to seek technical help, find teammates, and connect with Imagine Cup participants.
Need some inspiration?
Join the Student Innovator Series through Microsoft Reactor for an Imagine Cup kickoff and deep dive sessions on Azure AI and Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub to learn how to build your MVP.
To kick off the 2025 Imagine Cup competition, join one of two live events on October 1st at 9:00 am PT (UTC -7) or 5:00 pm PT (UTC -7). Unable to join the kickoffs live? Not to worry – click the links to watch on demand and check out the rest of the Student Innovator Series to help you on your competition journey.
Check out these other upcoming sessions you don’t want to miss to learn how to build an AI-driven solution:
- Azure OpenAI and Azure AI Search (Python)
- GitHub Copilot Adventures
- Serverless AI Chat with RAG using LangChain.js
- Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub Welcome Day
Multiple times and dates available, check the full list of events and register for free at https://aka.ms/StudentInnovatorSeries
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Watch a recap of the exciting final round from last year’s competition. Ideas from past Imagine Cup competitions have inspired countless new innovations! Driven from personal experience and a mission to improve the lives of the visually impaired, last year’s World Champion FROM YOUR EYES developed a mobile application and API, which offers real-time visual explanations to users with a vision disability.
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Competition Structure and Helpful Resources
Optional: Idea Submission / submit by October 31, 2024
You’ve registered for the Imagine Cup and applied to Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub. Now, submit a completed Lean Canvas to the optional Idea Submission round and receive early support, expert feedback, and valuable resources to build a uniquely positioned idea to submit for the minimal viable product round. Lean Canvas, is a one-page business model that helps quickly and effectively communicate business ideas and strategies. Don’t miss this opportunity—submit by October 31!
Helpful resources for getting started:
- What is Lean Canvas? | Miro
- Lean Canvas vs Business Model Canvas | Miro
- Overview of Lean Canvas
- Responsible AI Resources for Developers
- Responsible AI blog series: from principles to practice
- Ideate and experiment with AI models in GitHub
- Scale and safeguard your AI app in Azure AI
- Copilot Learning Hub
MVP Submission / submit by January 22, 2025
Submit your MVP including a pitch deck and a recorded video of your pitch and demo to showcase its functionality and impact. Ensure this version is demo ready for judges and includes sufficient features and functionality to satisfy early adopters.
Helpful resources for getting started:
- How to pitch your company - Training | Microsoft Learn
- How to Build a Demo Video from Microsoft for Startups
- Rapid Prototyping from Microsoft for Startups
Semifinals / March 2025
Gain access to additional benefits to accelerate your growth, including mentorship, global recognition, and expert guidance within Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub. In this round, you will participate in a deep dive technical review with Microsoft experts, work on your pitch and strategy with mentors and experts, and pitch live to a virtual panel of judges.
World Championship / May 2025
The World Championship is the culmination of the competition, where teams continue to hone their pitch with additional mentoring. This round may take place virtually or in person, with the top three teams presenting live to a panel of judges who are experts in their respective field. Teams are competing for the ultimate prize of $100,000 USD1 and a mentorship session with Microsoft Chairman and CEO, Satya Nadella! Step into the spotlight and demonstrate how AI can drive innovation and positive change.
Review the Imagine Cup Official Rules and Regulations to understand what is required for each competition round.
Dream it. Build it. Live it.
The competition is just getting started, so stay tuned and follow us on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook for exciting announcements and the latest updates.
Remember, MVP submissions are due January 22, 2025 so get started today and register for 2025 Imagine Cup to start building the future.
Register for the 2025 Imagine Cup
Happy Innovating!
The Imagine Cup team
1Open 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.
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