India, Dec. 29 -- Microsoft has officially opened registrations for the Imagine Cup 2026, its global student technology competition. The hackathon is often hailed as the 'Olympics of technology'. This year's edition places a heavy focus on Artificial Intelligence, challenging student-led startups to build commercially viable solutions using Microsoft's AI and Cloud platforms.

In terms to better support founders at different stages of their journey, the 2026 competition features two distinct tracks:

Launch track: It is designed for early-stage teams that are still validating their market fit or have developed a prototype/ Minimum Viable Product (MVP).

Scale track: It is tailored for student-led startups that already show traction throug...