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 world startup competitors for visionary college students constructing with AI. The expertise empowers you to make a real-world influence via AI-driven entrepreneurship. It guarantees studying, innovation, mentorship, and an opportunity to showcase your startup on a world stage.
The winner of the 2024 Think about Cup can be topped in Could 2024 at Microsoft Construct, providing world visibility and prizes for the highest three groups – with the successful workforce taking dwelling 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 achieve USD50,000 and world visibility.
There may be 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 attainable as the earlier you apply, the earlier you may entry your advantages and begin constructing as your MVP submission (due between Jan 26 and February 9).
Because the Qualifying section of the Think about Cup hurtles towards its deadline, I sat down with the Think about Cup Director, Tina Jones, to dive into the small print and uncover what makes this world startup competitors a should for college kids who’re founders constructing with AI. Maintain studying to get skilled recommendation and the within scoop on every part you should 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 to be totally different this yr. Inform us concerning 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 assets and the chance to start out constructing with Open AI, which on this pivotal time is so thrilling! We’re additionally providing the possibility for all qualifying scholar groups to enter Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub Stage 1, which is an unimaginable first step for college kids who want to begin their very own enterprise. I can converse extra about how Think about Cup contributors achieve entry to Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub degree 2 as nicely and all the extra advantages they will unlock there — although I am certain we’ll get to that!
Sure we actually will dig into that on! To get began, why ought to college students be excited concerning 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. Members 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 possibility 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 vital 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 progressive AI startup thought, and if you happen to qualify, apply to Founders Hub so you may unlock the credit to start out constructing. (Fast editor’s be aware to emphasise that on this first stage, you will need to 1) submit your software 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 should 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): world stage, large prizes, and critical bragging rights. We’ve obtained an amazing visible from our final weblog that you would embrace right here.
The visible:
So, as soon as a participant has been accepted to Qualifying, is there anything they should do to start out constructing their MVP?
Tina: Sure! As soon as you might be accepted within the Qualifying Stage you’ll obtain an e 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 move 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 should craft these AI-driven options. Keep in mind, the sooner you get in, the extra time it’s important to deliver your imaginative and prescient to life.
May you elaborate on the options of every stage and the advantages college students can unlock?
Tina: Actually! Within the Qualifying stage: early chook will get the worm. The earlier you get began the earlier you may entry Founders Hub, with free assets to assist construct your MVP, from free credit to entry the newest AI instruments (together with GPT-4!) to skilled advisory and mentorship.
The MVP stage is a compulsory step to advance, shaping progressive concepts into tangible options. The Semifinals this yr are going to be unimaginable – it’s going to 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 head, providing world visibility and prizes, together with USD100,000 for the successful workforce, and USD50,000 to the 2 runners up. Extra particulars right here and within the guidelines and rules.
How does the Think about Cup competitors construct college students’ entrepreneurial and technical expertise?
Tina: Think about Cup goes past technical steerage and supplies a complete entrepreneurial ecosystem. As I discussed, contributors within the Semifinals obtain customized one-to-one steerage 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 worthwhile! The competitors additionally encourages contributors to concentrate on accountable AI practices and rules (guaranteeing inclusivity and accessibility for all customers), and promotes innovation, a transparent goal market, and a reputable plan for bringing initiatives to market – all of those are issues that contributors can work on with their mentors.
What is the significance of taking part within the Think about Cup Cloud Abilities Problem, and the way does it complement the competitors?
Tina: The Think about Cup Cloud Abilities Problem is a further approach to achieve important AI, tech, and entrepreneurial expertise. The abilities for Think about Cup are usually not simply concerning the competitors – they’re expertise that entrepreneurs will want for his or her entrepreneurial journey. Sharpening these expertise early on prepares contributors for the challenges and alternatives that lie forward.
What are the essential dates and deadlines contributors 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 section begins April 26 and culminates at Microsoft Construct. The important thing date that college students ought to have in mind for now’s the tip of the Qualifying stage (January 24, 2024) – and keep in mind, the sooner you undergo Qualifying, the earlier you achieve entry to credit for constructing your MVP! Extra data within the guidelines and rules as nicely. And everybody who registers for Think about Cup will get entry to the Discord group, the place you may ask questions, discover teammates, and simply meet different like-minded scholar entrepreneurs from world wide.
Lastly, what’s your message to the scholar 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 influence via AI-driven entrepreneurship. We want innovation, perspective and recent pondering from the following technology of entrepreneurs to drive change and influence lives. The startups from Think about Cup through the years are past inspiring. Submit your startup thought 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 best way. Good luck!
Register for the 2024 Think about Cup!
