Rooted in Samsung’s Open Innovation vision, the SMA programme aims to bridge the gap between deep-tech startups and Samsung’s global mobile ecosystem, enabling breakthrough innovations across millions of devices worldwide.

In its latest edition, SMA invites startups from India to collaborate with Samsung in shaping the future of mobile experiences. Since its inception, Samsung’s Open Innovation initiative has focused on combining external innovation with in-house R&D to deliver differentiated consumer experiences. With dedicated charters spanning integrated partnerships, strategic investments, and startup incubation, SMA plays a critical role in identifying and nurturing high-potential startups.

Launched in India in 2023, SMA introduced a dedicated grant funding model of up to $50,000 with no equity for Proof-of-Concept (PoC) development, enabling startups to validate and scale their innovations within Samsung’s ecosystem. Under this model, Samsung does not take any equity or ownership in the startups for ideas developed through the programme.

“SMA reflects our deep commitment to open innovation, bringing together startup ingenuity and Samsung’s global R&D strength to co-create the future of mobile experiences. We aim to build long-term partnerships that not only accelerate innovation but also translate bold ideas into impactful solutions at global scale,” said Mohan Rao Goli, Managing Director and CVP, Samsung R&D Institute India, Bangalore.

“Through SMA, we focus on partnering with startups that demonstrate strong cultural and technological synergy. We aim to integrate the best of external innovation with Samsung’s R&D expertise to shape the future of mobile experiences,” said Kyungyun Roo, Managing Director, Samsung R&D Institute India, Noida

Focus Areas for 2026

SMA continues to adopt a broad and inclusive innovation lens, encouraging startups to apply across a wide range of categories, including AI, XR, Security, Health, Camera, Audio, wearables, and other Samsung mobile-related domains.

The programme is designed to foster cutting-edge solutions that can seamlessly integrate into Samsung’s mobile ecosystem, enhancing user experiences across devices and platforms.

Programme Structure & Timeline

The programme follows a structured, multi-stage evaluation and incubation process:

* Application Submission (April – June 30): Startups submit a detailed 6-month PoC proposal outlining innovation, feasibility, and impact

* Application Review (July): Proposals evaluated by Samsung’s expert panel

* Pitch Day (September): Shortlisted startups present to a jury of Samsung leaders

* Final Selection: Announced post Pitch Day

* Programme Commencement (October): Selected startups begin incubation with funding and mentorship

* PoC Demo Day: Culminates in a final showcase with potential pathways to commercialization, partnerships, or investment.

For India, applications can be submitted at startup.connect@samsung.com

Participants in Samsung Mobile Advance (SMA) benefit from:

* Grant funding (no equity by Samsung) to build Proof-of-Concepts

* Mentorship from Samsung’s global experts and talent network

* Access to Samsung’s product ecosystem and distribution scale

* Opportunities for strategic partnerships and investments

* Long-term collaboration within Samsung’s innovation ecosystem

Over the past few years, Samsung has actively collaborated with startups across domains such as voice intelligence, 4D modelling, and security, demonstrating SMA’s commitment to co-creating impactful, real-world solutions.

With the 2026 edition of SMA, Samsung R&D Institute, Bangalore and Samsung R&D Institute, Noida reaffirm their commitment to empowering startups, accelerating innovation, and shaping the future of mobile technology through meaningful partnerships.

Startups building transformative technologies for the mobile ecosystem are invited to apply before June 30, 2026, and be part of Samsung’s global innovation journey.

Samsung India’s flagship CSR program Samsung Innovation Campus concluded the AI, and Coding & Programming courses for its first batch of 68 students in Cambridge Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, reiterating Samsung’s commitment to being India’s strong partner and working alongside the Government in its mission to empower the country’s youth and #PoweringDigitalIndia.

The students, mentored and trained at CIT, Bengaluru were granted certificates of course completion at a felicitation ceremony held at the institute. The students were felicitated by officials from Samsung and CIT.

The first batch of students, who graduated in the month of June this year, set a remarkable precedent, showcasing the program’s effectiveness in transforming young minds into competent tech professionals. This time around, a batch of 68 students, of which 34 have been trained in AI and 34 in Coding and Programming.

“The goal of the Samsung Innovation Campus is to contribute to the development of India by empowering youth with education. Through this initiative, we want to empower the youth and create opportunities for them in future tech domains, further boosting India’s growth story and strengthening our commitment to Powering Digital India,,” said Mr. Mohan Rao Goli, Chief Technology Officer, Samsung R&D Institute, Bengaluru.

Youth enrolled for the program will undergo classroom and online training and complete their hands-on capstone project work in their selected technology areas from among Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Big Data and Coding & Programming.

Samsung Innovation Campus acts as a hub for students and professors to work with SRI-B experts, enabling them to have an in-depth understanding through hands-on exposure and by solving real-world challenges using cutting-edge technologies.

The partnership with CIT is in addition to a Memorandum of Understanding that Samsung India signed with the Electronics Sector Skills Council of India (ESSCI) to train 3,000 less-privileged students across India as part of the Samsung Innovation Campus initiative.

The world’s most powerful smartphone, Samsung Galaxy Note10, launches in India on Tuesday, August 20.

Watch the livestream of the grand event from Samsung Opera House, Bengaluru, 12 noon onwards by clicking on these links:

news.samsung.com/in

news.samsung.com/bharat

Illustration: Sumanta Baruah/SRI-B