Microsoft Imagine Cup 2027

Microsoft

Deadline not announced

Amount

World Champion $100,000. Launch path winner $50,000. Regional cash prizes. Azure credits on registration

Location

Remote (regional finals for the Americas in Mexico City) · Remote

Cost

Free

Class level

High school, Community college, Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, Graduate

Microsoft's global student startup competition is registering teams for 2027. Teams of 1 to 4 students aged 18 or over build an AI-powered solution with Microsoft AI services and compete from semifinals to a World Championship, with a Launch path for early ideas and a Scale path for ventures with traction.

Why it matters

Fully remote, free and open to students from any country not barred by U.S. export rules, so immigration status is irrelevant. A strong portfolio piece for computer science, business and design students.

Who can apply

U.S. citizensGreen-card holdersDACA / TPSUndocumented studentsInternational students (F-1 and other visas)Refugees and asylees

The official FAQ requires participants to be 18 or over, enrolled students, and from a country not prohibited by U.S. export regulations. No citizenship or immigration condition.

Eligibility

Age 18 or over and enrolled at an accredited high school, college or university during the competition. Teams of up to four students from any institutions or countries. One team per student. Solutions must use at least two Microsoft AI services, with a pitch deck, pitch video and demo video in English. Launch path: no dilutive funding and under $100,000 non-dilutive. Scale path: under $5 million total funding.

What you need

• Enrolled student aged 18 or over
• Team of 1 to 4 students
• Solution using at least two Microsoft AI services
• Pitch deck, pitch video and demo video in English
• Country not barred by U.S. export regulations

How to apply

Register on the Imagine Cup site (every team member registers), create a team of up to four, claim the Azure credits, then submit the pitch deck, recorded pitch and demo video by the round deadline shown in your account.

2027 registration is open. Round deadlines appear in your account and the official rules. The FAQ still shows the 2026 dates, so check the 2027 submission deadline after registering.