Build your Windows app for Windows 8, Windows Phone 8 or Windows Azure
and win a scholarship to join
Founder Institute Singapore in April 2013.
BizSpark Launch Academy will test your ability to prototype a Windows Store app,
quickly iterate to design, and bring your app to life.
Three winners of BizSpark Launch
Academy will receive a *scholarship to join Founder Institute Singapore in their April
Summer 2013 cohort.
Quality apps will be designated as preinstallable by OEMs who have agreed to partner with us.
Participants who are building a Windows Store app will also stand a chance to launch
their app at DEMO Mobile event on April 17, 2013 in front of top press, seed investors
and VCs when they submit their apps to the Windows Startup Challenge.
You can find more info on the Windows Startup Challenge and DEMO Mobile.
(Only valid for Windows Store app submissions.)
For purposes of this Contest, each app prototype you create and submit will be called
an “entry”. All eligible entries will be judged using the criteria below to determine the
winners of the prizes described below.
*A placement test will still be conducted before being given a place in FI.
WHAT ARE THE START AND END DATES?
Sign-Up Period for BizSpark Launch Academy begins on 00:01 Greenwich Mean Time +8
(GMT+8) on January 21st, 2013 and ends on 23:59 GMT+8 March 1st, 2013.
The overall Challenge Period consists of two (2) separate rounds as described below.
Each round has unique entry requirements. All required entry deliverables must be
received within the designated round in order for your entry to be eligible for judging.
All competitors must successfully complete Round 1 before continuing to Round 2 in
the Challenge.
| Round |
Start Date
(00:01 GMT+8) |
End Date
(23:59 GMT+8) |
| Round 1 - App prototyping & judging |
21/01/2013 |
1/03/2013 |
Round 2 - App design & development
(min. 20 teams will qualify) |
1/03/2013 |
22/03/2013 |
About Founder Institute
The Founder Institute is an early-stage startup accelerator and global launch network that helps entrepreneurs create meaningful and enduring technology companies.
Through a part-time four month program, existing and prospective founders can launch their dream company with expert training, feedback, and support from experienced startup CEOs - while not being required to quit their day job.
The Founder Institute has helped launch over 650 companies across 37 cities and five continents - the world's largest startup accelerator.
Read more press information about the Founder Institute here.
CAN I ENTER BIZSPARK LAUNCH ACADEMY?
You are eligible to enter this Contest if you meet the following requirements at time of entry:
You are an individual or team building a Windows Store or app using Windows Azure that runs on
tablets, laptops and PCs.
Building a Windows Phone app is NOT a requirement to enter the challenge but acceptable.
It is not a requirement to use Windows Azure for your app to enter the challenge but acceptable.
Your app must NOT be submitted or previously published to the Windows Store
You can submit an app that is available on the iOS App Store, Google Play or other platforms other than
the Windows Store
You are 18 years of age or older; and
If you are 18 years of age or older, but are considered a minor in your place of residence, you should ask
your parent’s or legal guardian’s permission prior to submitting an entry into this Contest.
Only Singapore residents or companies based in Singapore are eligible to apply.
You are NOT an employee of Microsoft Corporation or an employee of a Microsoft subsidiary; and
You are NOT involved in any part of the administration or execution of this Contest; and
You are NOT an immediate family (parent, sibling, spouse, child) or household member of a Microsoft
employee, an employee of a Microsoft subsidiary, or a person involved in any part of the administration
and execution of this Contest.
This Contest is void outside the geographic area described above and wherever else prohibited by law.
HOW CAN I ENTER?
Before entering, you should determine whether you would like to enter this challenge as an individual or
a team.
If you would like to participate as a team:
- Your team should consist of no more than 5 people
- All team members should belong to the same startup business
- Team members can only belong to one team.
If forming a team, you must designate a “team captain” who will submit all entry
materials on behalf of the team and act as the recipient of any prizes that the team may win.
Round 1: During round 1, you or your team must create a Windows Store App Prototype according to
the criteria. Before the close of round 1, you must register by submitting your prototype via email
to win8sg@microsoft.com
and by no later than 1st March, 2013. Approximately 24-48 hours after
submission, you will receive a notice if your entry has been approved.
Round 2: If you are selected to participate in Round 2, you or your team will receive access to a
Microsoft development mentor to further refine your app. In addition, you or your team must create a
complete Windows Store app that builds upon your round 1 submission according to the criteria below.
Before the close of round 2, you must submit your complete app no later than March 1st, 2013.
We are not responsible for entries that we do not receive for any reason, or for entries that we receive
but are not decipherable for any reason.
We will automatically disqualify any incomplete or illegible entry or any entries that we receive from you
that are in excess of the entry limit described above.
WINNING AND PRIZES
Quality apps will be designated as preinstallable by OEMs who have agreed to partner with us.
3 applications will be selected from the judges and will be awarded one scholarship* to Founder Institute.
Please note that if you are submitting your entry as a team, only one scholarship will be awarded to the team
if you win.
*A placement test will still be conducted before being given a place in FI.
About Founder Institute
The Founder Institute is an early-stage startup accelerator and global launch network that helps entrepreneurs create meaningful and enduring technology companies.
Through a part-time four month program, existing and prospective founders can launch their dream company with expert training, feedback, and support from experienced startup CEOs - while not being required to quit their day job.
The Founder Institute has helped launch over 650 companies across 37 cities and five continents - the world's largest startup accelerator.
Read more press information about the Founder Institute here.
DEVELOPER EVENTS
It's more fun to code together! The Microsoft Singapore Developer and Platform Evangelism team will be providing developers with
Windows Apps Lab, 1:1 consultations and loan devices*.
*Loan devices are limited and are subjected to be given out on a case by case basis.
Windows Apps Lab study group sessions @ Microsoft
20th Feb 2013
Topics covered:
- Using Blend for Designing Windows apps
- Using Azure Mobile Services for your Windows apps
Some time will be allocated at the end of each session for consultation & discussion.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What can be expected out of the prototype for round 1?
The prototype is meant to give us a clearer picture of what your app will appear to be like. Pictures or videos will be acceptable.
2. Will the app need to be completed by round 1?
No, it is not required. However, we strongly recommend you to achieve a minimal viable product by round 1.
3. When will we be considered as official participants in the BizSpark Launch Academy?
As soon as you submit your prototype for round 1, you will be informed shortly if your app has been accepted. After which, you may choose to attend the Windows App Labs for training. Also, you may request for loan devices for testing and development.
Please drop us an email at win8sg@microsoft.com if you have any further queries.
