Today was the culture day of the Imagine Cup 09, with participants, judges and guests bussed our the the Great Pyramids of Giza for a gander at the only remaining Great Wonders of the Ancient World. The event has been running well, apart from numerous participants succumbing to a variety of stomach complaints (known collectively as the Pharaoh's Curse) but that hasn't dampened the enthusiasm of the 440 students here. Judging continues today, ahead of the announcement of the winners at a ceremony in the desert tomorrow evening.
The overall quality of the finalists this year is much higher than last year, with slicker presentations, a heavier emphasis on user interface, and a much tougher grilling from the judges around the business elements of the projects they are presenting. I'd expect some experienced entrepreneurs would have wilted under the pressure that many of these students have faced, particularly the grilling handed out to the Russian team. It's a big ask for a student - to form a team, invent and build a project in around 7 months, and prove out a business model to support it. For those here who didn't make the finals, it has provided a great set of lessons in how to position themselves for the commercial world.
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