Microsoft Imagine Cup 2027
By Microsoft
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Quick Answer
Microsoft for Startups' global competition for early-stage startups and student founders: seven categories, with US$250,000 cash and US$1 million in startup credits for the champion. Apply by 28 February 2027.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- Microsoft
- Application deadline
- 114d — 1 Mar 2027
- Location
- International
About this competition
Imagine Cup is Microsoft's global startup competition, now in its 25th year and presented by Microsoft for Startups. The 2027 edition is open to early-stage startups and student founders building solutions to real customer problems with Microsoft technology. Startups compete for cash awards, Azure startup credits, mentorship from Microsoft executives and visibility across Microsoft's channels.
Each startup enters exactly one of seven categories, and the category decides which judging panel reviews it:
- Developer tools: tools, platforms and infrastructure that change how software is created, secured, deployed and scaled
- Retail: how retailers and brands understand customers, run operations, forecast demand and grow
- Healthcare and life sciences: healthcare delivery, research, access, clinical operations and outcomes
- Cybersecurity: protecting identities, data, infrastructure, applications, cloud and AI systems
- Financial services: risk, trust, customer service and secure financial products
- Deep tech and physical AI: technologies that connect software and intelligence with hardware, machines and the physical world
- Student startup: a cross-industry category for eligible student-led startups, with its own judging and prize pathway
Applications are submitted through Award Force, the official competition platform. Your solution must run on Azure: you need to provide a valid Azure Subscription ID that your startup owns, administers or is authorised to use. Indian founders can enter; prizes are paid in US dollars, and the champion's US$250,000 is roughly ₹2.4 crore at about ₹95 to the dollar.
After an expert review in March 2027 and recorded category interviews, judges pick the Category Winners, the Top 20 Startups, the Top Student Startup and three finalists, who present at the Imagine Cup World Championship in May–June 2027.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Organizers
Microsoft Corporation, founded in 1975 and headquartered in Redmond, Washington, runs Microsoft for Startups, which gives early companies Azure cloud credits, AI models and developer tools. In India, Microsoft supports UNNATI AI 2.0, an AI programme run by FITT at IIT Delhi. How…
Learn morePrizes & Awards
What You Get
- Imagine Cup Champion: US$250,000 cash (about ₹2.4 crore at ₹95/US$) and US$1,000,000 in startup credits
- Second place: US$50,000 cash and US$350,000 in startup credits
- Third place: US$25,000 cash and US$350,000 in startup credits
- Top Student Startup: US$25,000 cash and US$250,000 in startup credits
- Top 3 finalists and the Top Student Startup also get Microsoft executive mentorship, social and blog features, and a place in the Imagine Cup 2027 Top 20 Startups
- Category Winners and Top 20 Startups: recognition, mentorship (Category Winners) and access to enterprise buyers and partners
- Selected startups may also get technical and business guidance, go-to-market help, and introductions to experts, customers and investors
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
Qualified reviewers assess application materials and evidence from 1–12 March 2027. The highest-scoring eligible startups in each category move to recorded live interviews (pitch, product demo and questions) from 16–31 March 2027. Judges then score the interviews and materials in April 2027 to choose the Category Winners, Top 20 Startups, Top Student Startup and Top 3 Finalists; the Student Startup category has its own judging pathway, and the Top Student Startup cannot be a finalist. Winners are announced in May–June 2027, and the finalists complete verification, mentoring and rehearsals before the World Championship.
Application Process
- 1
Create your Award Force account
An authorised representative registers the startup and waits for the eligibility confirmation.
You - 2
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How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 2
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I win?
The champion gets US$250,000 cash and US$1 million in startup credits. Second place gets US$50,000 and US$350,000 in credits, third place US$25,000 and US$350,000 in credits, and the Top Student Startup US$25,000 and US$250,000 in credits.
Who can apply?
Early-stage startups and student founders. All entrants must be at least 18, and the Student Startup category has extra eligibility requirements. The Official Rules list the full eligibility, including country rules.
Do I need to use Azure?
Yes. To submit your entry you must provide a valid Azure Subscription ID that your startup owns, administers or is authorised to use for the submitted solution, and Microsoft may validate it.
Can a student startup enter an industry category?
Yes. Eligible student founders can enter the Student Startup category or one of the six industry categories, but each startup enters only one category.
What is the deadline?
Applications close on 28 February 2027.
How does judging work?
An expert review in March 2027 picks the highest-scoring startups in each category for recorded live interviews (pitch, demo and questions). Judges then choose the Category Winners, Top 20, Top Student Startup and three finalists, who present at the World Championship in May–June 2027.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
