Microsoft Imagine Cup Global Student Contest (USD$100,000 prize money) 2018

Application Deadline: 30th April 2018 (31st May 2018 is the latest end date for all National Finals).

Eligible Countries: Global

About the Award: Incredible, world-changing software innovations often come from students. Social networks, music services, photo apps, games, gadgets and robotics – the list goes on. We’re looking for the next big thing and we know students like you are going to make it. Imagine Cup, Microsoft’s premier international competition for young developers, is your chance to show off your biggest, boldest software solution. Code with purpose and show the world what you’ve got.
This competition is the doorway to your success. If you can win here, you can win anywhere. If you’ve got a great idea, assemble a great team and work hard to bring that idea to life. Your project could be on devices all over the world, changing lives and giving people the thrill of seeing the future come to life right before their eyes.
Whatever your innovation, you can make an impact and win big – like, $100,000 big – with Imagine Cup. With prizing that includes mentorship opportunities with industry leaders, an Azure grant and cash, Imagine Cup can help you take your project to the next level.

Type: Contest

Eligibility: You are eligible to enter if you meet the following requirements at time of entry:

• You are at least 16 years of age as of 24 October 2017 and are actively enrolled as a student at an accredited educational institution that grants high-school or college/university (or equivalent) degrees (including home schools) at any time between 24 October 2017 and 31 May 2018; and
  • If you are considered a minor in your place of residence, then you should ask your parent’s or legal guardian’s permission prior to submitting an entry into this Competition.
• You are NOT a resident of Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, and the Region of Crimea; and
  • U.S. export regulations prohibit the export of goods and services to Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, and the Region of Crimea. Therefore, residents of these countries/regions are not eligible to participate.
• You/your business has not received external funding more than $50,000 USD; and
• You/your business has not used paid employees assistance in creating an Imagine Cup entry at any time between 24 October 2017 and 31 July 2018; and
• You are not an employee or intern of Microsoft Corporation, or an employee of a Microsoft subsidiary, at any time between 24 October 2017 and 31 July 2018; and
• You are not involved in any part of the execution or administration of this Competition; and
• You are not an immediate family member of (parent, sibling, spouse/domestic partner, child) or household member of a Microsoft employee, an employee of a Microsoft subsidiary, or a person involved in any part of the administration and execution of this Competition between 24 October 2017 and 31 July 2018.

If you are a Microsoft campus representative (e.g. a Microsoft Student Partner https://imagine.microsoft.com/en-us/msp ) and you meet the eligibility criteria set forth above, you may enter the Competition, but you are prohibited from using Microsoft property, internal resources, and/or the work of Microsoft employees, in connection with the creation or execution of an entry. Very simply, you cannot use any resources which are not also broadly available to all
other students.
If you have previously competed in an Imagine Cup World Finals event as a World Finalist, you are eligible to enter but any entry submitted must be substantially new, unique, and different from anything you’ve brought to World Finals before.

Selection: Organized by Microsoft subsidiaries in those countries, the National Finals select the best teams from each participating country as they pitch and demo their ideas to experts to vie for a coveted spot at the Imagine Cup World Finals.

Number of Awards:  These are the awards to be received by participants:

• First Place:
  • $85,000 USD, to be divided equally among each officially registered member of the Team
  • Microsoft Azure Grant
  • Remote mentoring session with Satya Nadella
• Second Place:
  • $15,000 USD, to be divided equally among each officially registered member of the Team
  • Microsoft Azure Grant
• Big Data Award
  • Required use of Azure Data + Analytics or IoT
  • $15,000 USD, to be divided equally among each officially registered member of the team
  • Microsoft Azure Grant
• Artificial Intelligence Award
  • Required use of Azure Artificial Intelligence + Cognitive Services
  • $15,000 USD, to be divided equally among each officially registered member of the team
  • Microsoft Azure Grant
• Mixed Reality Award
  • Required use of HoloLens, Virtual Reality or Augmented Reality
  • $15,000 USD, to be divided equally among each officially registered member of the team
  • Microsoft Azure Grant

Value of Award:

• Round 1: Each National Final competition may offer prizes at the discretion of the local Microsoft subsidiary operating that competition. The existence, nature, and conditions of such prizes are subject to the rules of each National Final. Every team who advances to round 2 will receive a trip to the Imagine Cup 2018 Worldwide Finals. Trip includes round trip coach airfare from a major airport closest to each competitor’s home, standard hotel accommodations, ground transportation, and select meals during the World Finals. Mentors to the team are not eligible for this travel prize.
• Round 2: At the World Finals, there will be two winning teams selected, as well as the Imagine Cup Awards given to the top three teams that meet specific technology related criteria. Teams meeting the Award technology requirements may opt-in to one Imagine Cup Award at National Finals. At least one member of the team must be present to win. (Mentors and associates will not be awarded any portion of the monetary prize winnings.)

How to Apply: Register Now!

Visit the Program Webpage for Details

Award Providers: Microsoft