"How boldly do you dare to dream?"
– Ray Ozzie, Microsoft Chief Software Architect, at the Imagine Cup 2009 Worldwide Finals.
Now in its eighth year, the Imagine Cup is a global student technology competition focused on finding solutions to real-world issues. The competition encourages the world's most talented software designers, programmers, game developers, and digital media enthusiasts to tackle, head on, issues related to: hunger relief, poverty, education, disease control, healthcare, the environment, and other crucial problems facing our world today.
You can:
- Contribute your talents to solving some of the toughest problems facing us today, and maybe even turn your ideas into a business.
- Learn new technological skills and test yourself against the brightest students on the planet.
- Make new friends from around the world.
- Win cash and prizes, and even a free trip to Poland in summer 2010 for the Worldwide Finals.
"Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems."
This is the world's premier student technology competition and we invite you to join us! Since 2002, the Imagine Cup has been challenging the world's brightest students to step up and make a difference. Last year, over 300,000 students from 142 countries/regions registered for the Imagine Cup 2009.
Your First Steps
Getting started can sometimes be the hardest step. Follow these instructions carefully and you will be on your way to competing in the Imagine Cup 2010.
- Start here. You must register in order to begin your Imagine Cup journey.
- Stay connected: Subscribe to our e-newsletters when you register. This is the best way to stay up to date on what is happening with your competition and with the Imagine Cup.
- Decide on which competitions fit your talents and motivations: Explore the overview of 2010 competitions and find the ones you want to compete in!
- Sign-Up for your chosen Imagine Cup competitions. Sign up and you will have access to specific competition details, entry requirements, timeline, and the competitor forums.
- Think about the theme. The theme for the Imagine Cup 2010 is: "Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems." When considering your project, get inspired and educated by reviewing the 2010 Theme.
- Read the latest News about Imagine Cup 2010 and meet our past winners and find inspiration in their Success Stories. Stay up-to-date through the Imagine Cup blog, join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
- Experience the excitement at last year's Worldwide Finals in Cairo, Egypt.
- Visit the competition forums to start meeting other students like you.
Welcome to the Imagine Cup 2010 community. We look forward to working hard and playing hard, and most of all, to supporting you as we work together to make this world a better place. We want to see you in Poland in summer 2010!