Microsoft Imagine Cup 2018 Global Student Competition ($USD 100,000 Prize & Fully Funded trip to the 2018 Imagine Cup Worldwide Finals.)

Application Deadline: 31st May 2018.

The next big thing could come from you. Facebook and Twitter started as student projects. Your ideas could be next. The Imagine Cup is here to help you take the first steps. It’s a global contest for the most original student applications, and the winning team will take home up to $100,000 (US).

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.

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
o 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
o 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.

PRIZES

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.)
• First Place:
o $85,000 USD, to be divided equally among each officially registered member of the Team
o Microsoft Azure Grant
o Remote mentoring session with Satya Nadella

• Second Place:
o $15,000 USD, to be divided equally among each officially registered member of the Team
o Microsoft Azure Grant
• Big Data Award
o Required use of Azure Data + Analytics or IoT
o $15,000 USD, to be divided equally among each officially registered member of the team
o Microsoft Azure Grant
• Artificial Intelligence Award
o Required use of Azure Artificial Intelligence + Cognitive Services
o $15,000 USD, to be divided equally among each officially registered member of the team
o Microsoft Azure Grant
• Mixed Reality Award
o Required use of HoloLens, Virtual Reality or Augmented Reality
o $15,000 USD, to be divided equally among each officially registered member of the team
o Microsoft Azure Grant
Teams are limited to winning one first or second place prize and one Imagine Cup Award,
However, teams are limited to only one Azure grant overall. If a team wins a first or second
place prize and an award, they will only receive one Azure grant, whichever is of greater value.

How to Enter:

• To enter Round 1, visit imagine.microsoft.com/compete and register as instructed. You can
  begin submitting your round 1 entry once the national finals for your country opens. Submission requirements and deadlines for Round 1 vary from country to country but all will be concluded no later than 31 May 2018.
• If there is no National Finals in your team’s country, you may instead compete in our Online
  Finals. This is only open to teams in countries without a National Finals. On 1 January 2018 you can begin submitting your round 1 entry and the submission deadline is 30 April 2018.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Microsoft Imagine Cup 2018