Samsung has announced the Top 20 finalist teams for its Solve for Tomorrow 2025 innovation competition, showcasing breakthrough solutions from rural India and Tier 2/3 cities. These young innovators will compete for a ₹1 crore grant and mentorship opportunities at the Grand Finale in New Delhi on October 28-29.
Table of Contents
Competition Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Prize Pool | ₹1 crore + ₹20 lakh finalist awards |
| Finalist Teams | 20 (5 per theme) |
| States Represented | 12 states across India |
| Grand Finale | October 28-29, New Delhi |
| Youngest Finalist | 14 years old |
Four Innovation Themes
AI for Safer, Smarter, Inclusive Bharat: Teams like Chakravyuh and Percevia are developing AI-IoT surveillance networks, real-time safety apps for women, and wearable navigation aids for the visually impaired.
Future of Health & Wellbeing: The Alchemist and HEAR BRIGHT teams are creating non-invasive silicosis detection tools, affordable bionic hands, and AI-powered speech recognition systems.
Environmental Sustainability: Teams including Prithvi Rakshak and VOXMAPS are building solar-powered water extraction systems, automated vermicomposting solutions, and AI-driven pollution mapping technologies.
Social Change through Sport & Tech: Next Play AI and Shatranj Swaya Crew are developing gamified therapy tools for autistic children and voice-enabled chess apps for visually impaired players.
Standout Innovations
Several projects demonstrate remarkable creativity and social impact potential. One team is developing AI-powered solutions enabling visually impaired individuals to play chess independently, while another created drone-mounted imaging sensors for collecting pollution data and creating detailed Voxel maps.
A notable security innovation includes a drone-enabled AI monitoring system designed to alert authorities about infiltration and security breaches along international borders.
Rural India’s Growing Innovation Footprint
The competition’s reach extends to remote locations including Cachar (Assam), Banaganapalli (Andhra Pradesh), and Sundargarh (Odisha), demonstrating technology innovation potential beyond metro cities.
SP Chun, Corporate Vice President at Samsung Southwest Asia, highlighted the program’s evolution: “Samsung Solve for Tomorrow becomes bigger, bolder and more creative each year, reaching deeper into rural and remote India.”
Mentorship & Support Structure
The 20 finalist teams will receive comprehensive support including:
- One-on-one mentoring from Samsung R&D experts
- Guidance from IIT-Delhi professors
- ₹1 lakh per team (₹20 lakh total)
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip smartphones for all 37 participants
Competition Timeline
The journey began with applications from across India, progressed through a hands-on Prototyping Programme at IIT Delhi, and concluded with National Pitch Events. The Grand Finale includes dedicated prototyping time at FITT IIT Delhi, final presentations, and an Investor Meet connecting participants with entrepreneurship opportunities.
For students interested in STEM innovation competitions, Samsung’s program represents one of India’s most comprehensive youth innovation platforms, having engaged 2.9 million youth across 68 countries since 2010.
Those tracking technology education initiatives will recognize this as part of broader efforts to democratize innovation access and encourage practical problem-solving among Indian youth.
The winning teams will receive incubation support at IIT Delhi, enabling transformation of student concepts into market-ready solutions with real societal impact.
FAQs
How are the winning teams selected from the 20 finalists?
One winning team will be chosen from each of the four themes, with selection based on innovation potential, social impact, and technical feasibility.
What happens to finalist teams that don’t win the main prize?
All 20 teams receive ₹1 lakh funding, Galaxy Z Flip smartphones, and access to the Investor Meet for potential future partnerships and funding opportunities.
