Microsoft hackathon 2026; a global stage for student AI innovation

Microsoft has officially opened registrations for the Imagine Cup 2026, its global student technology competition. The hackathon is often hailed as the ‘Olympics of technology’. This year’s edition places a heavy focus on Artificial Intelligence, challenging student-led startups to build commercially viable solutions using Microsoft’s AI and Cloud platforms.

Two competition paths

In terms to better support founders at different stages of their journey, the 2026 competition features two distinct tracks:

Launch track: It is designed for early-stage teams that are still validating their market fit or have developed a prototype/ Minimum Viable Product (MVP).

Scale track: It is tailored for student-led startups that already show traction through active users, revenue, or speed capital up to USD 5 million.

Eligibility and team requirements for Microsoft hackathon 2026

The competition is open to students worldwide who meet the following criteria:

• They must be 18 years or older as of 30 September 2025.
• Must be an active student at an accredited high school or college or university between 30 Spetember 2025 and 31 May 2026.
• Team can consist of one to four members.
• Every submission must integrate at least two Microsoft AI services, such as Azure AI Foundry or Azure Machine Learning.

Rewards and incentives for Microsoft hackathon 2026

Microsoft has committed significant resources and capital to the winners of the 2026 season.

• Grand prize for scale track: The World Champion team will receive USD 100,000 and an exclusive, one-on-onne mentorship session with Microsoft Chairman and CEO, Satya Nadella.
• Launch track prize: The winner of this track will be awarded USD 50,000.

All registered particpants can unlock USD 1,000 in free Azure credits to build and test their prototypes. While top teams will gain access to the “Builder Series”, a five week intensive training and mentorship program led by industry experts.

Important dates

• Registration: Open now
• Submission deadline: All project materials, including a pitch deck, pitch video, and demo video, must be submitted by 9 January 2026.
• Semi-finalists will advance through rounds in early 2026, culminating in the World Championship in May 2026.

For the 2026 season, Microsoft has partnered with platforms like GitHub and Replit to provide students with enterprise-grade AI coding tools and browser-based workspaces, ensuring that teams can iterate and scale their ideas faster than ever before.