Application Development: Microsoft Imagine Cup 2011 Showcases Next-Gen Tech Talent

The Winners

Team Hermes from Ireland pauses in their celebration to take a picture after learning that they will advance to the finalist round of presentations at the Imagine Cup 2011 Worldwide Finals in New York City. Team Hermes went on to win the Software Design competition.

The Trophy

The highly coveted Imagine Cup was awarded on July 13 at the closing ceremony in New York City.

Opening Ceremony

It was a packed house at New York City's Marriott Marquis for the opening ceremony of Imagine Cup 2011.

Steve Ballmer Keynote

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, attending his first Imagine Cup event, speaks at the opening ceremony in New York City.

Ballmer Visits Teams

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer visits with members of Wicked Team from the Czech Republic during opening day of the Imagine Cup 2011 Worldwide Finals in New York City.

Dennis Crowley, CEO of Foursquare

At the Imagine Cup opening ceremony in New York City, Dennis Crowley, CEO of Foursquare, shared a message of experience and encouragement.

Embedded Competition

Team NTHCS from Taiwan earned first place in Embedded Development for designing a project that helps save lives in the instance of a fire emergency.

10 Teams

From 124 contending teams to 10 winners. Imagine Cup students celebrated their achievements at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center.

Secretary of Education

Imagine Cup students presented their projects to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, prior to the finalist announcement in New York City.

Australia in 2012

Microsoft Australia prepares to host the Imagine Cup 2012 Worldwide Finals.

$3 Million Grant Program

During the Imagine Cup 2011 Worldwide Finals, Microsoft unveiled plans to launch a three-year, $3 million competitive grant program to help recipients realize their vision of solving the world's toughest problems.

Last Presentation

On July 12, finalist teams were given one final opportunity to present their technology to judges at Microsoft's Imagine Cup.

Making a Difference

Students gathered in Central Park to paint murals and build bookshelves for underprivileged schools in New York City at the Imagine Cup 2011 Worldwide Finals.

The Value in Education

Students in the photo from the Imagine Cup 2011 Worldwide Finals in New York City: Joseph Lutalo Willrich of Uganda, Anthony Froissant of France and Jose Martins of France.

Citizenship Day

Teamwork and creativity aren't useful simply when it comes to technology—it led to some beautiful finished products at the Citizenship Day activities in Central Park at the Imagine Cup 2011 Worldwide Finals.

Helping Hand

Imagine Cup students at the Worldwide Finals proudly displayed their hard work after finishing a morning dedicated to helping other students in New York City.

Team JubJub From Thailand

Team JubJub was passionate about addressing issues surrounding the environment and focused its project on environmental sustainability. On display during the Imagine Cup Worldwide Finals in New York City, "Junk Master: The Journey to Junk Lord" is a challenging and innovative game that can educate the player about garbage classification and the three R's (reduce, reuse and recycle).

Education Alliance

Martijn van de Veen (left), general manager for the International Student Identity Card (ISIC), and Jon Perera, general manager of Academic Programs for Microsoft, sign an agreement at the Imagine Cup 2011 Worldwide Finals in New York City establishing an Education Alliance focused on student access to technology and fostering employability.

Frances Team Geekologic

Team Geekologic from France showcases its project in the Game Design - Mobile competition to press and attendees of the event's first showcase at the Imagine Cup 2011 Worldwide Finals in New York City.

Team Note-Taker From the U.S.

David Hayden from Team Note-Taker demonstrates how his team's project can assist visually impaired students in the classroom at the Imagine Cup 2011 Worldwide Finals in New York City.

Taiwans Team

Students from Taiwan showcase their project prior to learning that they will advance to the finalist round at the Imagine Cup 2011 Worldwide Finals in New York City.

The Second Round

The second round of Software Design at this year's Imagine Cup competition in New York City included 18 teams from around the world with projects that address accessibility for individuals with disabilities and a cloud-based solution to address educational needs.

Korea

Korean teams rallied together to cheer each other on at the Second Round Finalist Announcement at the Imagine Cup 2011 Worldwide Finals in New York City.

Embedded Teams

Here, the 15 finalist teams from across the globe waited to know who won the Embedded Development belt at the Imagine Cup 2011 Worldwide Finals in New York City.

Second Round Finalists

Students from around the world gathered to celebrate their accomplishments and learn who would be advancing at the Second Round Finalist Announcement at the Imagine Cup 2011 Worldwide Finals in New York City.

Brazils Team LevelUp

Julio Rodrigues de Mendonca Neto celebrates with the rest of the Brazilian teams as they learn that both Team LevelUp and Team Embedded Brain will be advancing to the second round of competition at the Imagine Cup 2011 Worldwide Finals in New York City.

Japans Team Sun Donation

Sun Donation team members from Japan take a break from preparing for their Embedded Development presentation to show off their excitement and national pride at the Imagine Cup 2011 Worldwide Finals in New York City.

Ecuadors Team Falcon Dev

Team Falcon Dev from Ecuador participated in the Software Design competition, creating an affordable and accessible solution to teach children with disabilities at the Imagine Cup 2011 Worldwide Finals in New York City.

Belgiums Team Crash Games

Team Crash Games from Belgium flashes smiles in the registration area of the Imagine Cup 2011 Worldwide Finals in New York City.

Spains Team Argitech

At the Imagine Cup 2011 Worldwide Finals, the members of Team Argitech from Spain are looking forward to showing off their Intelligent Lighting System project.