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Software Design Details

Okay, here’s how it works.

STEP 1: Sign in and create a team of up to four people, 16 years or older, including yourself. Oh, and here’s a tip — it might be helpful to ask a teacher or business professional to mentor your team.
STEP 2: Register your team for the competition. You can compete in the fall or spring competitions, or both!
STEP 3: Get to work on your Project Plan and build some code for Round 1. If you need a starting point, download our template Project Plan. Then we'll review your entry, and everyone automatically advances to Round 2 of the competition.
STEP 4: From Round 2 entries, our judges will review your working prototype, updated business plan, and 3-7 minute video.
STEP 5: Ten finalists (five teams from the fall and five from the spring) will move on to the U.S. Finals in Seattle, Washington, in April 2012. (If you compete in the fall but don't make the finals, you can keep working on your project and re-enter in the spring!) The winning Software Design team at the U.S. Finals will win $6,000, a $10,000 donation to their school, Windows Phones for the team, and a trip to Sydney Australia to compete in the Worldwide Finals. You could walk away with the Worldwide title and $25,000!

What you’ll need to submit.

Fall and Spring Round 1
Fall and Spring Round 2
  • Working prototype
  • Updated Project Plan
  • A video (3-7 minutes in length)

U.S. Finals
  • Up to two (2) different 20-minute live presentations and 10-minute Q&A about the software application
  • Beta version of the software application

A few things you should know:

  • Your entry must address a social cause connected to the 2012 Imagine Cup theme: "Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems"
  • Your application must run on any version of the Microsoft .NET Framework
  • Your application must be developed using at least one of the products within the Visual Studio family
  • Your entry must contain or use certain technologies. Be sure to check out the U.S. Imagine Cup Software Design Competition Official Rules for details
  • All entry materials must be submitted and presented in the English language

Important dates to remember.

Submit your Software Design entry by 4:59PM Pacific Time on the following dates!

  • Fall Round 1: October 14, 2011
  • Fall Round 2: November 14, 2011
  • Spring Round 1: February 14, 2012
  • Spring Round 2: March 13, 2012
  • U.S. Finals: April 2012

The good stuff: cash prizes!

Cash prizes are to be shared equally among team members:

Software Design Competition
First Place: $6,000
Second Place: $3,000
Third Place: $2,000
Fourth Place: $1,000

Rules

Loads of details, rules and judging criteria that you'll want and need to know about.

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FAQ

Answers to the most common questions we get about the competition.

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Resources

Examples from the pros, and a look at past Imagine Cup competition submissions.

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