PARIS, July 3 /PRNewswire/ --

- Largest technology competition in the world kicks off its finals today
in Paris.

Competition begins today for 370 students from 61 countries and regions
competing for US$240,000 in prize money at the Imagine Cup 2008, an annual
competition that gives students round the world the chance to unlock their
creative genius and create technology solutions that can help address some of
the world's toughest social challenges.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO)

The focus for Imagine Cup 2008 is on building technology solutions that
help address challenging environmental sustainability issues. From a pool of
over 200,000 participants, 124 teams have been selected to represent their
countries in Paris for a week of competition about their innovative
technology solutions. These student-developed solutions range from improving
access to clean water, reducing pollution and carbon emissions to achieving
sustainable cities and reducing demand on energy.

"Imagine Cup inspires these students to address the world's challenges in
new ways and deliver innovative technology solutions that can truly change
the world for the better," said Jean-Philippe Courtois, president of
Microsoft International. "We hope that some of these students will become the
entrepreneurs of the future, innovating and creating jobs like some of the
previous winners. We wish all the finalists the best of luck in what will be
an intense week of competition."

Students and teams compete in the worldwide Imagine Cup finals across
nine categories: Software Design, Embedded Development, Game Development,
"Project Hoshimi" (Programming Battle), IT Challenge, Algorithm, Photography,
Short Film and Interface Design. Individual students and teams are in the
final stages of a yearlong competition and will undertake a series of onsite
challenges relating to technology and digital media depending on the
category. The winners will be announced on Tuesday, July 8, as part of the
Imagine Cup World Festival closing ceremonies.

"For me, the Imagine Cup was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore
the power of software, make new friends from round the globe who share my
passion for innovation and technology, and leverage the event as a starting
point for my career," said Vincent Bellet, a finalist from Imagine Cup 2006.
"After the Imagine Cup final, I received more than 50 job offers from
different companies. To win the French finals and to be a worldwide finalist
for a competition sponsored by Microsoft has been a great plus on my resume."

In coordination with Imagine Cup, Microsoft, together with INSEAD, the
Women in IT forum and the European Schoolnet, will be hosting a high-level
round table to raise awareness of and direct policy attention to the need for
promoting greater participation of young women in technology and science
studies.

The Imagine Cup, now in its sixth year, challenges students to imagine a
better world enabled by their own talent and also to contribute directly to
the future of technology, software and computing. Teams develop innovative
technological and digital media projects that offer real-world solutions to
real-world problems.

Sponsors for the Imagine Cup 2008 finals include Air France, Avanade, BT,
Dassault Systemes, HP, Novotel, Paramount Pictures Corp and Quiksilver Inc.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise
their full potential.

About Microsoft EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa)

Microsoft has operated in EMEA since 1982. In the region Microsoft
employs more than 16,000 people in over 64 subsidiaries, delivering products
and services in more than 139 countries and territories

This material is for informational purposes only. Microsoft Corp
disclaims all warranties and conditions with regard to use of the material
for other purposes. Microsoft Corp shall not, at any time, be liable for any
special, direct, indirect or consequential damages, whether in an action of
contract, negligence or other action arising out of or in connection with the
use or performance of the material. Nothing herein should be construed as
constituting any kind of warranty

Web site: http://www.microsoft.com