Samsung Solve for Tomorrow applicants from all over the country cheer during a bootcamp at IIT Delhi

At Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, innovation begins with empathy — a deep understanding of challenges faced by people around us. Across four seasons of the programme, young innovators from Tamil Nadu have demonstrated how technology, when combined with purpose, can create meaningful social impact. Over the last four years, more than 5,000 students from Tamil Nadu have engaged with the programme, reflecting the growing spirit of innovation and problem-solving among the state’s youth.

From improving accessibility for persons with disabilities to enabling children with autism to learn through play, these young changemakers are transforming ideas into solutions that have the potential to improve lives and communities.

Through mentorship, design thinking workshops, and access to an innovation ecosystem, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow has enabled students to move beyond ideation and develop prototypes that address real-world challenges. The journeys of innovators from Tamil Nadu show how the right guidance and encouragement can help young minds turn curiosity into meaningful action.

One such example is Team TouchPad from Chennai, comprising Malathi M, C Ganesh Ram, and Vishwa Kumaresh. Inspired by the everyday challenges faced by visually impaired individuals in accessing digital content, the team is developing a tactile display pad that converts images and text into Braille in real time. Using an electromagnet-based mechanism supported by machine learning, the device enables users to interpret written material through touch.

Team TouchPad from Chennai, comprising C Ganesh Ram, Malathi M and Vishwa Kumaresh

“We wanted to create something that gives visually impaired individuals greater independence in their daily lives. Access to information should never be a barrier,” said the team members. “Solve for Tomorrow gave us the confidence to think bigger and build a solution that can create real social impact.”

Designed to be cost-effective, portable and user-friendly, the tactile display pad aims to seamlessly integrate into daily life. The team also envisions a mobile application that can capture images of printed text and instantly convert them into Braille patterns, enabling visually impaired individuals to independently access information.

Accessibility and inclusion are also at the heart of innovations emerging from Team Sports4Autism from Chennai, which is developing a hybrid application that gamifies therapy for children with autism through sports-based engagement.

“Children learn best when they enjoy the process. We wanted to make therapy more interactive and motivating, while also helping parents track progress in a simple way,” said the team.

Similarly, Team Unity from Coimbatore is exploring multiple solutions that leverage technology to make participation more inclusive. Their ideas include gamified therapy tools for autistic children, platforms that help discover hidden sporting talent, and voice-enabled chess applications for visually impaired individuals.

Ramya M, Samyuktha S and Rubika Nataraj from team Unity won the competition in 2025

“Our focus has always been on creating opportunities for people who are often left out due to accessibility barriers. Technology can truly become an equaliser when designed with empathy,” said the team members.

“Over the years, young innovators from Tamil Nadu have developed meaningful solutions for real community challenges, reflecting the state’s deep-rooted culture of education, engineering and problem-solving. As Samsung celebrates 30 years in India, programmes such as Solve for Tomorrow reflect our continued commitment to contributing to Tamil Nadu’s larger innovation pipeline by supporting students and young changemakers with the exposure, mentorship and incubation needed to help move promising ideas beyond the drawing-board and into the real world,” said Shubham Mukherjee, Head of CSR and Corporate Communications, Samsung Southwest Asia.

Addressing healthcare accessibility through innovation, Team Wiremasters from Coimbatore has worked on a device that supports therapeutic movement for individuals living with muscular dystrophy. The solution seeks to assist patients in performing essential physical exercises that help maintain mobility and muscle function.

“We realised that many patients struggle with access to regular therapeutic support. Our idea is focused on making rehabilitation assistance more accessible and affordable for families,” the team said.

Healthcare inclusion is also central to the work of Team BC Labs from Madurai, founded by identical twins Raman R and Lakshmanan R. Their innovation focuses on a non-surgical adhesive hearing device designed as a safer and more affordable alternative to traditional hearing implant procedures.

The identical twins from Tamil Nadu – Raman R and Lakshmanan R – developed a non-surgical adhesive hearing device that is cheaper than traditional hearing aid implants.

“We wanted to develop a solution that removes fear and complexity from hearing treatment, especially for children and families who may not have access to expensive procedures,” said Raman and Lakshmanan. “If technology can improve confidence and communication for even one child, it can change an entire future.”

Together, these innovators represent a growing community of young problem-solvers from Tamil Nadu who are using technology to address real societal challenges. Their ideas reflect a strong commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and equal opportunity — demonstrating how innovation can create meaningful change when rooted in empathy.

Through initiatives like Solve for Tomorrow, Samsung continues to nurture young talent by providing structured mentorship, exposure to industry experts, and platforms that enable ideas to evolve into real-world solutions. The programme encourages participants to think critically about societal challenges and develop technology-led approaches that can create lasting impact.

From accessibility tools that enable independent living to therapy solutions that encourage participation and confidence, these innovations reflect how young minds from Tamil Nadu are building a more inclusive and equitable future.

As these ideas continue to evolve, they carry with them the aspirations of young innovators who dared to imagine a better tomorrow — and found the support to bring those ideas to life.

Building on the momentum of the past four seasons, Samsung has now launched the fifth edition of Solve for Tomorrow in India. Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026 invites Gen Z innovators aged 14–22 to develop technology-driven solutions that address pressing societal challenges across four themes — AI Living, Health & Education, Environmental Sustainability, and Sport & Tech. Applications for the programme are open from May 7 to July 3, 2026.

Through Solve for Tomorrow, Samsung continues to nurture a new generation of socially conscious innovators who are leveraging technology not just to imagine a better future, but to actively build it.

Apply here: Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026 Application

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026 is inviting India’s young innovators to turn bold ideas into meaningful solutions for society. This year, the programme focuses on four future-forward themes that encourage participants to use technology and innovation to solve some of the country’s most pressing challenges.

AI Living for India

Participants are encouraged to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create solutions that can improve everyday lives and strengthen communities. From enhancing public safety and accessibility to enabling faster disaster response systems and inclusive innovation, this theme focuses on using AI for meaningful social impact in India.

Health and Education

This theme calls for ideas that make healthcare and education more affordable, accessible, and impactful. Participants can explore technology-led solutions that improve learning outcomes, expand access across diverse communities, support preventive healthcare, and help build a healthier and more informed society.

Sport & Tech

At the intersection of sports and technology lies an opportunity to inspire healthier lifestyles and greater inclusion. This theme encourages innovators to develop solutions that enhance sports performance, improve accessibility in sports, and promote physical activity and well-being through technology.

Environmental Sustainability

Young changemakers can also focus on building sustainable solutions for a greener future. The theme encourages ideas around climate action, waste reduction, resource efficiency, and environmental conservation using innovative technologies that can drive long-term positive impact.

Through these themes, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026 aims to empower the next generation of innovators to create solutions that are meaningful, scalable, and capable of transforming lives across India.

India’s young innovators now have an opportunity to turn their ideas into real-world solutions as applications for Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026 are officially open.

The nationwide innovation contest invites students and young entrepreneurs to identify challenges around them and build technology-based solutions that can create meaningful social impact. Over the years, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow has emerged as a platform that encourages India’s youth to think creatively, solve problems, and innovate for a better tomorrow.

Who Can Apply?

The competition is open to Indian residents only between 14-22 years of age as on the last day of the competition i.e., July 3, 2026.

Individuals or teams of up to three people can apply with an original concept in terms of science and technology or a wholly new product with a social consequence. Without any innovation, new business models may not make it to consideration.

The team/individual should not have previously obtained funds/awards for the identical proposal from any agency or through other competitions for more than INR five lakhs (INR 5 Lakhs).

How to Apply

Applying for Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026 is simple:

1. Visit the official Samsung Solve for Tomorrow website.
2. Register with your details.
3. Submit your idea along with a brief explanation of the problem you want to solve and how your solution can make a difference.
4. Complete the application process before the deadline.
5. Applicants are encouraged to clearly explain the impact of their idea, the problem it addresses, and how technology can help solve it.

Questions in Application Form

1. Who is entering? Individual/Team
2. Full Name
3. Age
4. Gender
5. Where are you entering from?
6. Qualification details/ Learning history. Please indicate your most recent level of education.
7. Name of School/College/University.
8. Do you have any disability?
9. Team Name:
10. Select the theme under which you are submitting your idea:
11. Has your idea got funding/award over INR 5 Lakh in the past?
12. Do you have a registered company or a partnership firm?
13. Describe the problem within “your theme” that you are trying to solve?
14. Describe in detail the solution you will provide to solve the problem. What is your idea (App, Product, or Service) and how does it overcome a problem for your user?
15. Ok, we’re listening… Tell us more about what type of person your idea is created for. Who is the target audience or user for the solution that you have created?
16. What is the current stage of your project?*
17. Name of Team Lead
18. Phone number of the Team Lead (or Guardian, if you are below 18 years of age)
19. Email address of the Team Lead (or Guardian, if you are below 18 years of age)
20. Where did you first find out about Samsung Solve for Tomorrow?

What Happens Next?

Shortlisted participants will get access to mentorship, training workshops, and guidance from industry experts to help refine their ideas and turn them into impactful solutions.

The programme also offers participants an opportunity to showcase their innovations on a national platform and gain exposure to experts from the startup and innovation ecosystem.

Encouraging the Spirit of Innovation

Through Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, Samsung aims to nurture a culture of innovation and problem-solving among India’s youth by empowering them to think beyond classrooms and create solutions for society.

Young changemakers with bold ideas and a passion to create impact are encouraged to apply and take the first step towards building solutions for the future.

(L-R) (Left-to-Right) Junho Jeong, External Communications & CSR, Samsung Southwest Asia, Shubham Mukherjee, Head Corporate Communication and Corporate Citizenship, Samsung Southwest Asia, Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Director, IIT Delhi, JB Park, President & CEO, Samsung Southwest Asia, Dr. Sapna Poti, Director, Office of Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Tarun Chaturvedi, COO, FITT, IIT Delhi

Samsung has announced the launch of the fifth edition of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, its flagship innovation and education programme designed to empower India’s next generation of young innovators to build technology-driven solutions for real-world challenges.

As Samsung marks 30 years in India, the company is significantly expanding the scale and ambition of the programme, reinforcing its long-term commitment to India’s innovation ecosystem and the vision of #DigitalIndia.

In line with this ambition, the 2026 edition will provide incubation grants worth INR 2 crore to the top four winning teams, enabling them to further develop and scale their ideas through incubation support at IIT Delhi. In addition, the top 20 teams will receive INR 20 lakh, while the top 40 teams will be awarded INR 8 lakh along with Samsung devices and mentorship support.

“We are proud to have been a trusted partner in the country’s digital and innovation journey over the last 30 years, contributing to a growing culture of innovation led by its youth. Samsung Solve for Tomorrow has evolved into a strong platform for nurturing young innovators and enabling a pipeline of emerging startups addressing real-world challenges. With the 2026 edition, we are taking innovation deeper into Bharat—more than doubling our outreach to schools and expanding access for young changemakers. In its fifth year, the programme reflects our sustained commitment to India’s innovation journey, while strengthening the ecosystem through design thinking, skilling, industry exposure, and start-up support, in alignment with the vision of #DigitalIndia,” said JB Park, President & CEO, Samsung Southwest Asia.

Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators

This year’s programme invites students aged 14–22 to submit ideas across four themes — AI Living for India, Health & Education, Environmental Sustainability, and Sport & Tech — reflecting the growing role of technology in building a smarter, more inclusive, and future-ready India.

The six-month programme will provide thousands of participants access to hands-on prototyping support, investor connects, expert mentorship, immersive workshops, and extensive training designed to help transform ideas into scalable solutions.

Industry, Academia, and Government Come Together

“Bharat is being shaped by a new generation of young innovators who are solving for the world as well. Through Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, we see early-stage ideas being nurtured into viable solutions with the potential to scale. Such initiatives strengthen the pipeline of future entrepreneurs and innovators,” said Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.

“We believe that young students can find innovative solutions to local, regional and global problems. Our continuing collaboration with Samsung Solve for Tomorrow enables students to access deep-tech mentorship, interdisciplinary research and prototyping support. This initiative reflects how academia and industry together can accelerate innovation that addresses both national priorities and global challenges,” said Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Director, IIT Delhi.

“India’s journey towards a knowledge-driven and innovation-led economy depends on how effectively we nurture scientific temper and problem-solving skills among our youth. Platforms like Samsung Solve for Tomorrow play an important role in encouraging young people to apply science and technology to solve real-world challenges aligned with national priorities,” said Dr. Sapna Poti, Director, Office of Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.

Programme Journey: From Ideas to Impact

Applications for Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026 will remain open from May 7 to July 3, 2026. During this phase, Samsung will conduct 100 design-thinking workshops across schools and colleges nationwide to equip participants with foundational problem-solving and ideation skills.

Following the application phase, the top 100 teams 25 from each theme will be shortlisted for expert-led online training and mentorship. After a video pitch round, 40 teams will advance to the next stage, with 10 teams selected from each theme.

Exposure to World-Class Innovation Ecosystems

Semi-finalists will participate in intensive mentoring sessions with Samsung leaders and industry experts, alongside curated visits to Samsung’s R&D centres in Bengaluru, Noida, and Delhi and Head Office offering first-hand exposure to world-class innovation ecosystems.

Participants will also undergo an immersive prototyping programme and residential bootcamp designed to refine ideas and prepare teams for the final stage of the competition.

The top 20 teams — five from each theme — will advance to the grand finale and participate in investor meets, pitch presentations, and mentoring sessions with Samsung experts.

Awards, Grants, and Incubation Support

• Top 100 teams: Certificates of achievement
• Top 40 teams: INR 8 lakh and Samsung laptops for every member
• Top 20 teams: INR 20 lakh and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip smartphones for every member
• Special Awards: Digital Impact Award and Community Choice Award with a combined prize pool of INR 2.5 lakh
• Top 4 winning teams: Incubation grants worth INR 2 crore at IIT Delhi

A Global Platform for Young Changemakers

First launched in the US in 2010, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is now operational in 68 countries and has engaged more than 3 million young people.