The 2010 Imagine Cup World Finals started on Saturday in Warsaw, with 400 technology students from 70 countries and regions taking part.

The Microsoft-sponsored student technology competition attracted significant interest, with the 400 who made it to Warsaw beating off competition from 325,000 entrants.

“Each one of you represents the best of the best in the world,” said Jon Perera, Microsoft’s general manager of education strategy, at the event's opening ceremony. “We at Microsoft look at you and see the future innovators of technology.”

Participants will try to solve some of the world's toughest challenges, using technology. The challenges have been established beforehand by the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, and include using technological solutions to fight diseases, improve education and reduce child mortality.

The competition which has 5 categories will finish on July 8. (GP)