# Global Technology Challenges Microsoft Imagine Cup 2012 Helps World Solve Toughest Problems By Katherinev123 | Published 2011-11-26 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/microsoft-imagine-cup-2012 References: [popsop](http://popsop.com/51375) & [facebook](https://www.facebook.com/microsoftimaginecup) The [Microsoft](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buildfor2030-initiative) Imagine Cup 2012 competition has begun and this year the platform for the competition is Australia. This worldwide event, which began in 2003, challenges students around the world to find solutions to the toughest problems of the modern world, says Popsop. The Microsoft Imagine Cup 2012 challenge comprises three areas of comptetition: Software Design; Game Design: [Xbox](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/project-amplify)/Windows; and Game Design: Phone. Alternatively, students who don't want to do the challenges in a team can tackle what is called the 'IT Challenge.' Beginning locally, and then regionally and online, the competition will culminate at the Worldwide Finals. To participate, students must be at least 16 years old and enrolled at an accredited educational institution. With 358,000 students from 183 countries and regions registered for the Imagine Cup competition in 2011, this challenge definitely isn't small either. Plus, the results are amazing. Watch the video here to see how David Hayden, a student from [Arizona State University](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/campus-beautification) with a degenerative eye disease, built an incredible device to capture what was written by his professors on classroom lesson boards. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.6/10 - Popularity: 15% | Activity: 56% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Interactive](https://www.trendhunter.com/interactive) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Global Technology Challenges:** Opportunities for disruptive innovation in solving the toughest problems of the modern world. - **Software Design:** Disruptive innovation opportunities in creating innovative software solutions. - **Game Design:** Disruptive innovation opportunities in developing innovative games for Xbox/Windows and mobile platforms. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Technology:** Opportunities for disruptive innovation in the technology industry. - **Education:** Opportunities for disruptive innovation in the education sector. - **Gaming:** Opportunities for disruptive innovation in the gaming industry. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Young Scientist Challenges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/young-scientist-challenge.md) - [AI Tool Youth Competitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/youth-archidesign-competition.md) - [STEM-Focused Writing Contests](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/power-to-explore.md) - [Global AI Art Contests](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/canvas-of-the-future1.md) - [Inclusive Design Business Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buildfor2030-initiative.md) - [Inclusive Gamified Education Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buildability.md) - [Youth-Focused Technology Programing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nasa-space-apps-challenge1.md) - [Student-Targeted Tech Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jump-start-your-career.md) - [Digital Fundraising Competitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-community-cup.md)