Reasons Why You Should Live the Imagine Cup Dream in your Lifetime
Imagine Cup is the world’s largest student technology competition and an opportunity that you should not miss if you are still a student
Today, I was invited by Microsoft as a panelist for a fireside chat with the previous Imagine Cup winners from the Philippines in the Imagine Cup Philippines Bootcamp, an initiative that aims to encourage more students to join the competition’s 2021 edition. Having this opportunity truly validates that I have indeed lived the Imagine Cup dream.
My Imagine Cup Story
Now if you would allow me, let’s go for a trip down the memory lane. Year 2012 was when I first discovered that the Microsoft Imagine Cup exists. It was during the day I took an oath as a Microsoft Student Partner representing my alma mater, Treston International College.
I sat and heard from the 2011 winners from the Philippines, their testimonies and stories of representing the country in New York City — the host country for the Imagine Cup World Finals 2011 edition. After hearing their stories, I was left thrilled and inspired. I spoke to myself and declared these words — “I want to be part of the Imagine Cup history in any way or form” to the universe.
I can still recall the reasons why I was too fascinated to join the Imagine Cup: Free Trip to the Imagine Cup World Finals Host Country. And of course, the once in a blue moon opportunity to represent the Philippines in the international arena, be given that chance to be immersed with diverse set of cultures, and meet people who share the same passion as you.
“Be careful what you wish for, you may receive it” — W.W. Jacobs
Fast forward in the year 2014, our team, Hiraya won First Place in the Imagine Cup User Experience Challenge, with our idea of reimagining the daily commute experience. I drew inspiration for our Imagine Cup entry from my 6-hour daily commute (back and forth) between school and home.
Daily commuting is a hassle in any city. Team Hiraya’s project would unify automated information from trains, buses, and taxis so that for any given trip users can find the best available options. Once on their chosen mode of travel, they can then rate the trip, file complaints, plan the next part of their journey, and request emergency assistance. These three students at Treston International College have designed a beautiful app integrating timetables, maps, ratings, and dynamic data that could be the salvation of many busy travelers. We are thrilled to recognize the design skills of Team Hiraya and award them the first prize of $3,000 in the Innovation category. — Microsoft Imagine Cup 2014 Winners Announcement
I would say that our experience was quite different because we joined an Imagine Cup Online Challenge. Therefore we weren’t able to go through the process of winning National competition nor create a working prototype. It’s basically geared towards designing an app with a well thought of user experience.
The format in our challenge kicked off with Microsoft getting the hundreds of entries from colleges and universities around the world, then judging each entries, and eventually unveiling the top winners per category — Innovation, Games and World Citizenship.
Looking back, the universe was able to hear my wish. “I want to be part of the Imagine Cup history in any way or form” — our win, still was able to live these words I uttered back in the year 2012.
While we didn’t get the chance to enter the Nationals, we were given the chance to share our story and our idea in the National Stage of Imagine Cup 2014 Local Finals in Manila and we were given the opportunity to be awarded on stage and live the same experience of an Imagine Cup National Finals Winner.
Capping off my Imagine Cup journey came as a blessing in disguise, months after our win. I received an announcement one day that I will represent the Philippines in the Microsoft Student Partners Summit, in Seattle, Washington, USA and guess what — it coincides with the 2014 Imagine Cup World Finals and we are going to the Microsoft Headquarters in Redmond, Washington. That very moment when I knew about the news, made me realize that you should not underestimate the power of your vision. That was the pinnacle of my Imagine Cup dream.
“I want to be part of the Imagine Cup history in any way or form” — for the third time, I am beyond grateful that was able to live the experience, not as a World Finals Representative, but in a different form.
Lessons from the Imagine Cup Journey
I realized, the impact of the Imagine Cup comes with an immense value that I still carry with me today, 8 years after it all began.
- The Imagine Cup taught me to dream big and gave me a platform to make dreams happen. You really need to make time for something you want to do. Your actions validates your words.
- Imagine Cup was a test of grit and waiting for the perfect timing. In my experience, I decided to finally join two years after I discovered such competition exists.
- The Imagine Cup journey for others may appear different, but the biggest challenge in my journey was myself, in terms of how creative can i get for the team, for that big idea we will be considering as our official entry. I see Imagine Cup as the olympics of student innovation. We can’t just submit an idea for the sake of submitting or passing through the imagine cup corridor without giving 150% effort.
- Never doubt yourself. NOR underestimate your vision
- NO IDEA is small or funny. Be as creative as you can be.
- Just make it happen.
In closing, I would like to share the words that I also shared during our fireside chat with the previous Imagine Cup winners from the Philippines. We were asked about the insights and tips we can share to those who want to join the Imagine Cup next year (or in the years ahead):
As long as you are student, you are lucky because you can join the Imagine Cup. User experience and the profitability of your idea plays a big factor. Think of yourself as a shark tank contender. We are talking about the world arena here at the Imagine Cup and they (the judges) are looking for the next big thing in the world of tech. Ensure that the problems you are solving are dear to you, because your output will somewhat lock your fate, before and even after the competition — Gab Villanueva, Team Hiraya, First Place, Imagine Cup 2014 User Experience Challenge
Going through the entire Imagine Cup experience will truly hone you as an individual. It will allow you to discover who you want to become, because the Imagine Cup will teach you the skills you need to succeed in your career — from idea creation, coding, making your prototype work, go-to-market, knowing your potential market, and making your way to know your idea’s full potential, from a revenue perspective and wholistic impact— it’s basically the entire cycle where you can become these multiple roles in the process.
Whereas, if you’re going to look at it from a bigger perspective, it’s comparable to the real world roles that you may take after you graduate. Your edge? you’ve experienced it all as an Imagine Cup competitor. It’s indeed a big plus when you apply for your first job.
So what are you waiting for? Start brainstorming for your next big idea, gather your dream team and register for the Imagine Cup today.
