Overview

Celebrating 25 years across 190+ countries, Microsoft Imagine Cup 2027 empowers ambitious startups and student-founded ventures across seven categories: Developer Tools, Retail, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Cybersecurity, Financial Services, Deep Tech + Physical AI, and Student Startup. Competitors advance through expert review to the World Championship, competing for major cash awards, up to $1M in Startup Credits, Microsoft executive mentorship, and enterprise buyer exposure.

Benefits

• Imagine Cup Champion: $250,000 cash + $1,000,000 in Startup Credits
• 2nd Place: $50,000 cash + $350,000 credits; 3rd Place: $25,000 cash + $350,000 credits
• Top Student Startup: $25,000 cash + $250,000 credits + enterprise access
• Microsoft executive mentorship and feature in Imagine Cup Top 20 Startups
• Enterprise-grade Azure AI infrastructure and global press/investor visibility

Eligibility

Open to qualifying early-stage startups and student-founded ventures worldwide (aged 18+, not residents of US export-restricted jurisdictions). Student Startup entrants must be actively enrolled at an accredited high school, college, or university.

Required documents

• Award Force online application
• Startup pitch deck and traction overview
• Technical solution description (using Microsoft AI/Azure stack)
• Product demo video