'Imagine Cup 2007', the world's premier student technology competition, opens today and will continue to August 10 (Friday) at Sheraton Walkerhill Hotel and W Hotel in Seoul. 350 participants from 56 countries, who made advance to the final stage through qualifying tests in which a hundred and ten thousand students from 120 countries had taken part, are scheduled to compete, presenting SW with creative idea and technology.



In the fifth Imagine Cup, co-sponsored by MS, the Ministry of Education & Human Resources Development, and the City of Seoul, participants will compete in 9 fields such as Software Design, Embedded Development, Web Development, Short Film, Photography, and so on, under the motto of "Imagine a world where technology enables a better education for all."

According to Joe Wilson, an executive director of MS, who takes charge of cooperative relation with universities, "MS will inspire the leaders of next generation, who have technology, business, and entrepreneur spirits, to develop creative software by maximizing their imagination through Imagine Cup." He added, "participants are the best IT geniuses from all over the world, and various software that they develop will contribute to make a better world."

In addition, British Telecom (BT) will single out 6 teams who develop innovative and practical software during Imagine Cup. Through a program called ‘Innovation Accelerator,’ BT will provide consults and funds to these 6 teams in order for them to be venture entrepreneurs.

'Innovation Accelerator' program, which started last year, has two aims. One is to pursue innovations and realize potential powers of young people with superb passion. The other is for new business based on creative ideas to contribute local and state economies. For these purposes, an independent examination committee of BT will single out 6 teams during Imagine Cup.

Joe Wilson said, "another main theme of Imagine Cup is a strong entrepreneur spirit. We hope that these 6 teams, chosen by 'Innovation Accelerator', succeed in real markets by making the utmost use of their creative and practical ideas."

SK Telecom, which supports Imagine Cup 2007, also pays attention to software that students develop. It is planning to support and commercialize potential works. During Imagine Cup 2007, the technology and strategy 2 team of SK Telecom, which takes charge of finding new business opportunities, will visit all presentation in the field of Software Design and Embedded Development.