The 2026 Microsoft Imagine Cup is a prestigious global competition designed for student founders to transform innovative ideas into impactful, AI-powered startup solutions. The competition offers two tracks: ‘Scale,’ for teams with existing traction, and ‘Launch,’ for early-stage teams. Participants gain access to mentorship, up to $5,000 USD in Azure credits, and a global community. The top prize for the Scale track is $100,000 USD, a private mentorship session with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and deeper partnership opportunities with Microsoft for Startups. The competition deadline is January 9, 2026.
Microsoft Imagine Cup Student Startup Competition 2026 Summary Table
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Host Institution | Microsoft |
| Sponsor | Microsoft |
| Academic Level | Student Startup/Innovation Competition |
| Eligible Countries | Global (Open to students worldwide) |
| Target Group | Student founders and teams (up to 4 members) |
| Reward | Up to $100,000 USD, Azure Credits, CEO Mentorship |
| Focus | Building AI-powered solutions to global challenges |
| Competition Tracks | Scale (for startups with traction) and Launch (for early-stage teams) |
| Deadline | January 9, 2026 |
Microsoft Imagine Cup Student Startup Competition 2026
The Microsoft Imagine Cup is a worldwide technology competition designed to empower the next generation of student entrepreneurs. It provides a platform for student teams to develop bold ideas into Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) and scale them into real-world startup businesses, emphasizing the use of Microsoft’s cutting-edge AI technologies.
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Participants benefit from tailored guidance, mentorship, and significant resources, including valuable Azure credits to develop and test their solutions. The competition is structured into two tracks, Scale and Launch, ensuring that support and competition levels are appropriate for both nascent ideas and established startups.
Financial and Partnership Rewards
The competition rewards teams with substantial financial prizes and unparalleled access to Microsoft’s ecosystem, structured across two tracks.
Tier 1: Scale Track Prizing (For Startups with Traction)
This track is for student-led startups that have already secured users, revenue, or capital (no more than $5,000,000 USD in combined dilutive or external, non-dilutive funding). The focus is on refining product-market fit and preparing for organizational scaling.
- $100,000 USD Prize for the World Champion.
- Private mentorship session with Microsoft Chairman and CEO, Satya Nadella.
- Opportunities for deeper partnership with Microsoft for Startups.
- Azure Credits: Teams unlock up to $5,000 USD in Azure credits for experimentation and testing.
Tier 2: Launch Track Prizing (For Early-Stage Teams)
This track supports early-stage student teams developing AI-powered solutions that have not received any dilutive funding, or no more than $100,000 USD in external, non-dilutive funding. The track focuses on building with clarity and confidence.
- $50,000 USD Prize for the Launch Track winner (announced after the Semifinals).
- Continued visibility and support from Microsoft.
- Azure Credits: Teams unlock up to $5,000 USD in Azure credits for prototyping and testing.
Tier 3: Core Resources and Development
These benefits are available to all registered teams across both tracks and throughout the competition phases.
- Azure Credits: All participating teams unlock up to $5,000 USD in Azure credits to experiment, test, and refine their MVP.
- Sprint to Imagine Cup: Access to this tailored learning experience designed to explore Microsoft’s platforms and help prepare a strong submission.
- Mentorship: Access to expert mentorship, resources, and the global Imagine Cup community to help refine the product and grow as a founder.
Eligibility Requirements for Microsoft Imagine Cup 2026
To be considered for the Microsoft Imagine Cup, teams and individual members must meet the following criteria:
- Team Composition: Teams must consist of up to four (4) students.
- Registration: Every team member must register on the Imagine Cup website.
- Student Status: All participants must be students at the time of registration and competition phases (typically defined as being enrolled in an accredited academic institution).
- Funding Status (Launch Track): Teams must not have received any dilutive funding, or have secured no more than $100,000 USD in external, non-dilutive funding.
- Funding Status (Scale Track): Teams must be student-led startups with traction, having secured users, revenue, or capital—whether through any amount of dilutive funding or no more than $5,000,000 USD in combined dilutive or external, non-dilutive funding.
How to Apply for Microsoft Imagine Cup 2026 (Step by Step)
Interested and qualified student founders should follow this procedure:
- Build Your Team: Form a team of up to four (4) currently enrolled students with a shared vision for an AI-powered solution.
- Register Online: Visit the official Imagine Cup website and have every team member complete their individual registration.
- Join the Sprint: Participate in the “Sprint to Imagine Cup” to leverage learning resources, explore Microsoft platforms, and refine your technical approach.
- Develop and Submit: Develop your solution (MVP/prototype) utilizing Microsoft AI technologies, select the appropriate track (Launch or Scale), and submit your final entry package via the official competition portal before the deadline.
Application Deadline: January 9, 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the difference between the ‘Launch’ and ‘Scale’ tracks?
The ‘Launch’ track is for early-stage teams with prototypes or MVPs that have limited or no funding, focusing on growth and clarity. The ‘Scale’ track is for more mature startups with existing traction (users, revenue, or capital), focusing on refining product-market fit and scaling.
2. Is there a limit on the number of students per team?
Yes, teams are strictly limited to a maximum of four (4) students. Every member must be a registered student and must register on the Imagine Cup website individually.
3. What is the total monetary value of the grand prize?
The grand prize for the World Champion (Scale track) is $100,000 USD, plus a private mentorship session with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and partnership opportunities. The top prize for the Launch track is $50,000 USD.
4. What are the eligible funding criteria for the Launch track?
The Launch track is for teams that have not received any amount of dilutive funding, or have secured no more than $100,000 USD in external, non-dilutive funding (e.g., grants or prizes).
5. What are the eligible funding criteria for the Scale track?
The Scale track is for student-led startups that have received no more than $5,000,000 USD in combined dilutive or external, non-dilutive funding, and have achieved market traction (users, revenue, or capital).
6. Do participants need to use Microsoft’s AI technology?
Yes, the competition strongly emphasizes turning bold ideas into solutions “trusted by organizations worldwide” and mentions access to “Microsoft’s AI technologies,” implying that the solution must leverage Microsoft platforms, particularly Azure AI services, to be competitive.
7. What are the Azure credits used for?
The up to $5,000 USD in Azure credits are provided to teams to experiment, test, and refine their Minimum Viable Product (MVP) using Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure and AI tools.
8. Is the Imagine Cup open to students globally?
Yes, the competition is a worldwide event and is open to student founders and teams from around the globe who meet the eligibility requirements.
9. What is the “Sprint to Imagine Cup”?
The “Sprint to Imagine Cup” is a learning experience offered by Microsoft. It is designed to help participating teams explore the capabilities of Microsoft’s platforms and guide them in preparing a strong and competitive submission.
10. When is the final deadline to submit the application?
The final deadline for submitting applications and competition entries for the 2026 Microsoft Imagine Cup Student Startup Competition is January 9, 2026.
