Microsoft opens registration for Imagine Cup 2020. Facebook and Twitter started as student projects. The next big thing could come from you. Your ideas could be next.

Imagine Cup is a global competition that empowers the next generation of computer science students to team up and use their creativity, passion, and knowledge of technology to create applications that shape how we live, work and play. Every year tens of thousands of students from across the globe compete for cash, travel, and prizes and for the honor of taking home the Imagine Cup!

Incredible, world-changing software innovations often come from students. Social networks, music services, photo apps, games, gadgets, and robotics – the list goes on. Microsoft is looking for the next big thing and it knows students 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.

What will the winner of Imagine Cup 2020 get?

Microsoft provides Imagine Cup 2020 as an opportunity to start your career. Further, the competition occurs regionally as well as globally. The winners will receive:

• All teams that advance to the Regional Final win a trip to a Regional Final event
• At each Regional Final: USD15,000 for 1st place, USD5,000 for 2nd place, USD1,000 for 3rd place
• Three in-person Regional Finals across the globe with over USD20,000 in prizing
• 1st place teams will advance to the World Championship and compete for USD100,000 (date and location to be announced)

Am I eligible for the competition?

Imagine Cup is an open international competition for the bold young developers. Hence, students from all around the world can apply for the competition.

• All technology projects are welcome
• Maximum three (3) members per team
• Azure is required for all projects

How can I apply for the Microsoft Imagine Cup?

To apply for the Microsoft Imagine Cup, you have to follow the following steps:

Register for a competition

Head over to the Imagine Cup page to find a competition that’s right for you. Click on any of the competitions to learn more and click ‘Register Now!’ to sign up!

View your teams and competition information from your Account page

Head over to your Imagine Cup Account page for all your details! View the status of your competition, updates, and news for your region, and manage your teams.

Imagine Cup participants are required to create or join a team

You and your team will make an original technology project from start to finish: come up with a great idea, make a plan, build your project, and submit it! Imagine Cup teams are made of up to three eligible students. You can create a team from your profile page. If a friend creates a team, they can invite you and a notification will show up in your account.

Submit your project

You can submit and check the status of your entry for any of our contests from your Account page.