As we enter into the brand new yr, the countdown to affix the 2024 Think about Cup is on! The 2024 Think about Cup is a worldwide startup competitors for visionary college students constructing with AI. The expertise empowers you to make a real-world affect by way of AI-driven entrepreneurship. It guarantees studying, innovation, mentorship, and an opportunity to showcase your startup on a worldwide stage. 

The winner of the 2024 Think about Cup might be topped in Could 2024 at Microsoft Construct, providing international visibility and prizes for the highest three groups – with the successful group taking residence the grand prize of USD100,000 and a mentoring session with Microsoft Chairman and CEO, Satya Nadella. Plus, every of the 2 runners up groups acquire USD50,000 and international visibility.  

There’s nonetheless time to affix! You’ll be able to register right here no later than January 24, 2024. Submit your proof of idea as quickly as potential as the earlier you apply, the earlier you possibly can entry your advantages and begin constructing as your MVP submission (due between Jan 26 and February 9).

Because the Qualifying part of the Think about Cup hurtles towards its deadline, I sat down with the Think about Cup Director, Tina Jones, to dive into the main points and uncover what makes this international startup competitors a should for college students who’re founders constructing with AI. Preserve studying to get knowledgeable recommendation and the within scoop on all the things you could learn about Think about Cup – from thrilling advantages to important deadlines. 

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Tina, first off, Blissful New Yr! Think about Cup seems completely different this yr. Inform us in regards to the modifications within the competitors.

Tina: I’m so enthusiastic about the brand new format of the Think about Cup 2024 and the extra advantages it gives to college students.  Firstly, it’s all about AI and we’re offering AI studying sources and the chance to begin constructing with Open AI, which on this pivotal time is so thrilling!  We’re additionally providing the prospect for all qualifying scholar groups to enter Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub Stage 1, which is an unimaginable first step for college students who want to begin their very own enterprise. I can converse extra about how Think about Cup individuals acquire entry to Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub degree 2 as nicely and all the further advantages they will unlock there — although I am positive we’ll get to that! 

Sure we actually will dig into that on! To get began, why ought to college students be excited in regards to the Think about Cup competitors? What’s in it for them?

Tina: Properly, Think about Cup is sort of a startup bootcamp. It’s not only a contest; it is a journey. Contributors get to dive into cutting-edge AI tech with a stack of Azure and OpenAI credit. Plus, there’s mentorship that goes past all the tech stuff — Think about Cup is about serving to founders create an actual enterprise. And, I’ve to say the prospect to win USD100,000 and a mentoring session with Microsoft Chairman and CEO, Satya Nadella! Not solely that, the 2 runner up groups additionally get USD50,000, so the highest three World Championship groups all get important money prizing.

Want I may compete! So, what are the phases on this journey, and the way can college students leap in?

Tina: Image the competitors like 4 phases:

• Stage one, Qualifying (Oct 16 – Jan 24): submit your modern AI startup concept, and for those who qualify, apply to Founders Hub so you possibly can unlock the credit to begin constructing. (Fast editor’s observe to emphasise that on this first stage, you will need to 1) submit your utility for Qualifying AND 2) register for Founders Hub).
• Stage two, MVP Submissions (Jan 26 – Feb 9): get hands-on, flip these concepts right into a prototype and you could submit this between January 26 and February 9.
• Stage three, Semifinals (Feb 23 – April 12): polish that marketing strategy, join with mentors, and degree up with extra Azure credit.
• Lastly, Stage 4, World Championship (April 26 – Construct): international stage, large prizes, and severe bragging rights. We’ve acquired an excellent visible from our final weblog that you may embody right here.

The visible:

So, as soon as a participant has been accepted to Qualifying, is there anything they should do to begin constructing their MVP?

Tina: Sure! As soon as you’re accepted within the Qualifying Stage you’ll obtain an electronic mail with a information on becoming a member of Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub. Within the Think about Cup, Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub is just like the backstage cross to your startup journey. There, you get USD1,000 in Azure credit, USD2,500 in OpenAI credit, and entry to self-paced coaching. It’s the toolkit you could craft these AI-driven options. Keep in mind, the sooner you get in, the extra time you need to carry your imaginative and prescient to life. 

Might you elaborate on the options of every stage and the advantages college students can unlock?

Tina: Definitely! Within the Qualifying stage: early chook will get the worm. The earlier you get began the earlier you possibly can entry Founders Hub, with free sources to assist construct your MVP, from free credit to entry the newest AI instruments (together with GPT-4!) to knowledgeable advisory and mentorship.

The MVP stage is a compulsory step to advance, shaping modern concepts into tangible options. The Semifinals this yr are going to be unimaginable – it should actually assist to propel scholar startups ahead with skilled mentors and recommendation on structure and go to market, plus – entry to Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub Stage 2, and a further USD4,000 in Azure credit. The World Championship is the top, providing international visibility and prizes, together with USD100,000 for the successful group, and USD50,000 to the 2 runners up. Extra particulars right here and within the guidelines and laws.

How does the Think about Cup competitors construct college students’ entrepreneurial and technical abilities?

Tina: Think about Cup goes past technical steering and gives a complete entrepreneurial ecosystem. As I discussed, individuals within the Semifinals obtain personalised one-to-one steering from technical and enterprise mentors, who’re there to assist the groups navigate the journey and challenges of entrepreneurship, to have a one-on-one relationship with mentors from Microsoft is so helpful! The competitors additionally encourages individuals to deal with accountable AI practices and ideas (guaranteeing inclusivity and accessibility for all customers), and promotes innovation, a transparent goal market, and a reputable plan for bringing tasks to market – all of those are issues that individuals can work on with their mentors.

What is the significance of taking part within the Think about Cup Cloud Expertise Problem, and the way does it complement the competitors?

Tina: The Think about Cup Cloud Expertise Problem is a further option to acquire important AI, tech, and entrepreneurial abilities. The talents for Think about Cup should not simply in regards to the competitors – they’re abilities that entrepreneurs will want for his or her entrepreneurial journey. Sharpening these abilities early on prepares individuals for the challenges and alternatives that lie forward.

What are the essential dates and deadlines individuals ought to mark of their calendars?

Tina: The Qualifying stage runs from Oct 16 to Jan 24, 2024. The MVP Submissions stage is from Jan 26 to Feb 9. Semifinals run from Feb 23 to April 12, and the World Championship part begins April 26 and culminates at Microsoft Construct. The important thing date that college students ought to remember for now could be the tip of the Qualifying stage (January 24, 2024) – and bear in mind, the sooner you undergo Qualifying, the earlier you acquire entry to credit for constructing your MVP!  Extra data within the guidelines and laws as nicely. And everybody who registers for Think about Cup will get entry to the Discord group, the place you possibly can ask questions, discover teammates, and simply meet different like-minded scholar entrepreneurs from around the globe.

Lastly, what’s your message to the coed founders who’re contemplating taking part within the 2024 Think about Cup?

Tina: My message can be that the Think about Cup isn’t only a contest – it’s a group, a community of changemakers who’re driving unimaginable affect by way of AI-driven entrepreneurship. We want innovation, perspective and contemporary pondering from the following technology of entrepreneurs to drive change and affect lives. The startups from Think about Cup through the years are past inspiring. Submit your startup concept by January 24, and let’s create a brighter future collectively. Your startup success is our purpose, and we’re right here to assist you each step of the way in which. Good luck! 

Register for the 2024 Think about Cup!