Imagine Cup Australia 09Egypt 09 imagine cup

Change your worldChange your world

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Your world-changing idea could take you to EgyptYour world-changing idea could take you to Egypt

To bring real change to our world, we need bright ideas. So we're challenging students to enter the 2009 Imagine Cup and come up with concepts that use technology to solve the world's toughest issues.

You'll get to compete in one of eight categories for a place in the Aussie finals. If you make it to the world finals, you'll score a trip to Cairo plus the chance to get up to $25,000 in cash!

Make a change for the better

You could come up with a creative way to tackle world hunger. Push the boundaries of digital art to help combat disease. Or leverage a scientific breakthrough to help reduce our carbon footprint. Even a small idea could make a big difference.

So register for Imagine cup and show us what you've got. You could put your name in the world spotlight. Your idea could one day become a reality. Imagine that.
Register now
Hurry! Register by 1 March 2009Register to be part of this important challenge. You'll get the Cup newsletter with the latest comp updates and news. Plus the chance to find other team members in Australia.

Imagine Cup 08 Worldwide Winners: Team SOAK, Australia!Imagine Cup 08 Worldwide Winners: Team SOAK, Australia!

Imagine Cup 08 Worldwide Winners: Team SOAK, Australia!
Blog links:
David Burela, Dimaz Pramudya,
Ed Hooper, Long Zheng

Aussie Team SOAK (Smart Operational Agriculture Toolkit) took the top prize in 08. Their idea of an integrated software and hardware platform was centred around helping farmers achieve sustainable use of their water. Check out the footage of last year's winners in the video above.

News and announcementsNews and announcements

Imagine Cup 09 CategoriesImagine Cup 09 Categories

Software Design Create real-world software and services applications that use Microsoft tools and technology. It's not just about the PC anymore – think about taking advantage of mobile devices as well.
Register now

Embedded Development Develop an embedded device whose function it is to better us all. Go beyond the PC desktop and work in both hardware and software to build an embedded solution using Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2 and the provided embedded platform. Register now

Game Development Create a new game that uses both Microsoft's XNA Game Studio 3.0 and Visual Studio based on the theme "Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems facing us today". Register now

Robotics and Algorithm Robots need more than gears and wires – they require highly sophisticated algorithms to interpret and interact with the world around them. For this challenge, you must navigate a mathematical obstacle course to demonstrate the potential of robots. All in a virtual world! Register now

IT Challenge You're challenged to develop, deploy, and maintain IT systems that are elegant, functional, robust and secure. Here you must demonstrate your knowledge, skills and analytical abilities in the science of networks, databases, and servers. Register now

Photography Communicate a story that explores a critical issue through a photo essay of inspiring still images. The photos must grab the audience and illustrate your personal insight into these global issues. Register now

Short Film Create an original short film and also demonstrate excellence in filmmaking at all levels from concept art to polished editing. Register now

Design Use the power of technology to create an innovative, creative design that makes machines easier to use. The design must deliver a real benefit and show how "technology helps solve the toughest problems facing us today". Register now

Great prizes up for grabsGreat prizes up for grabs

Great prizes up for grabs
World Finalists win a trip to Cairo Egypt, plus a shot at up to $25,000(USD) cash!

Aussie Finalists get the chance to win a stack of local prizes, such as Xbox 360 Consoles and games, Windows Mobile Devices, Office and Vista Ultimate, paid internships, plus so much more. For a list of prizes for each category, click here.

Key DatesKey Dates

1 March 09

Round 1/registration closes for Embedded Development and Game Development

27 March 09

Round 1/registration closes for IT Challenge and Software Design

1 April 09

Round 1/registration closes for Photography, Short Film and Design

10 May 09

Round 2 closes for Software Design

20 May 09

Round 2 closes for all remaining categories

May 09

Australian Finals, city TBC

July 09

World Finals, Cairo, Egypt
* Dates subject to change

What change would you like to see most in the world?What change would you like to see most in the world?

  • Ending poverty and hunger?
  • Achieving universal education?
  • Promoting gender equality?
  • Reducing child mortality?
  • Combating HIV/AIDS?
  • Ensuring environmental sustainability?
  • Developing global partnerships?
For inspiration, see the
United Nations Millenium
Development Goals

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Mentor ProgramMentor Program

Would you like to mentor a team in Imagine Cup and be in the running to win a trip to the world finals? Click here
To get in touch with someone who can mentor your team, email us with your name, team name, location in Australia and chosen Imagine Cup category at ausic@microsoft.com