Microsoft's Imagine Cup 'Evolves' From Student Competition To AI Startup Contest (geekwire.com) 10
theodp writes: That Was Then: The Imagine Cup competition, Microsoft explained in a 2003 press release, "seeks to provide students [aged 16-and-up] around the world with resources to use technology and Web services to solve everyday problems [...] Imagine Cup is about empowering students to apply their creativity and knowledge toward making the world a more-connected place."
This Is Now: "Building is Hard. Selling is Harder." begins the "Why Imagine Cup?" promo video for the 2027 Imagine Cup competition, which is pivoting to an AI startup-first focus in recognition that "A new era for founders is here." "Since 2003, Imagine Cup has empowered emerging innovators to turn ambitious ideas into real-world solutions with Microsoft technology," Microsoft writes of the Imagine Cup Evolution. "Now part of Microsoft for Startups, Imagine Cup enters its next chapter in 2027, opening the competition to eligible early-stage startups and founders everywhere."
An Eligibility FAQ drives home the point that Imagine Cup is no longer a student-only competition: "Imagine Cup 2027 welcomes eligible early-stage startups across seven categories; founders do not need to be students." And if you think making high school students compete against seasoned full-time employees of startup companies seems a tad unfair, Microsoft advises: "Eligible student-led startups are encouraged to enter the Student Startup category but may choose an industry category instead." The #1 overall startup will win a $250,000 cash award and $1,000,000 in startup credits. However, Student Startup category entrants are ineligible for the open category prizes (where the 2nd-place winner gets $50,000 cash and $350,000 in credits, while 3rd place is good for $25,000 and $350,000 in credits); they will instead compete for a single prize of $25,000 cash and $250,000 in credits. The Official Rules (PDF) note that all startups must have a valid Azure Subscription ID and a Microsoft for Startups account.
This Is Now: "Building is Hard. Selling is Harder." begins the "Why Imagine Cup?" promo video for the 2027 Imagine Cup competition, which is pivoting to an AI startup-first focus in recognition that "A new era for founders is here." "Since 2003, Imagine Cup has empowered emerging innovators to turn ambitious ideas into real-world solutions with Microsoft technology," Microsoft writes of the Imagine Cup Evolution. "Now part of Microsoft for Startups, Imagine Cup enters its next chapter in 2027, opening the competition to eligible early-stage startups and founders everywhere."
An Eligibility FAQ drives home the point that Imagine Cup is no longer a student-only competition: "Imagine Cup 2027 welcomes eligible early-stage startups across seven categories; founders do not need to be students." And if you think making high school students compete against seasoned full-time employees of startup companies seems a tad unfair, Microsoft advises: "Eligible student-led startups are encouraged to enter the Student Startup category but may choose an industry category instead." The #1 overall startup will win a $250,000 cash award and $1,000,000 in startup credits. However, Student Startup category entrants are ineligible for the open category prizes (where the 2nd-place winner gets $50,000 cash and $350,000 in credits, while 3rd place is good for $25,000 and $350,000 in credits); they will instead compete for a single prize of $25,000 cash and $250,000 in credits. The Official Rules (PDF) note that all startups must have a valid Azure Subscription ID and a Microsoft for Startups account.
We don't know what to do with AI (Score:3, Insightful)
...please help us figure it out. We welcome all suggestions. Please. Anything.
Re: (Score:1)
...but if you use our AI to generate your entries, it'll help us greatly to figure it out!
They essentially developed the wheel a thousand years before anyone thought of an axle. It's just a curiosity to push around... but, once they figure the whole axle part, whoever makes the axles will make tons!
Re: (Score:2)
But whatever you do don't use it to make clean room implementations of Office!
Re: (Score:2)
But whatever you do don't use it to make clean room implementations of Office!
Dude.. how fucking funny would it be if someone actually showed up to the competition and presented EXACTLY that.
Re: (Score:2)
...please help us figure it out. We welcome all suggestions. Please. Anything.
If you aren't going to use to make weird porn then why did you even bother building it?
What is harder than what? (Score:2)
Imagine? (Score:2)
No thanks. Imagining what might be in any cup with Microsoft's name on it just gives me the willies...
Re: Imagine? (Score:2)
You have chosen... Wisely
Re: (Score:2)
Two startups, one cup.
AI Killed the Student Developer Star (Score:2)
Prior to pivoting to AI and opening eligibility to non-students looking to scale their startups, the Imagine Cup was all about student developers. At the 2014 Imagine Cup finals [microsoft.com], Microsoft President Brad Smith opened up the awards ceremony saying, "It's a great pleasure just to recognize and honor such amazing student innovators from around the world." Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, one of the three Imagine Cup judges, boasted, "We are the original student developer company." Helping judge the student develop