India’s remote towns are buzzing with innovation, thanks to a landmark partnership between Samsung and Startup India. A new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in New Delhi on July 30, 2025, aims to propel student-led startups from small towns to national and global stages.
The collaboration integrates Samsung’s ‘Solve for Tomorrow’ initiative with Startup India’s vast support network. This move focuses on empowering students and early-stage entrepreneurs, especially from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, by offering mentorship, infrastructure, funding, and market access.
The programme is already showing results. The Top 100 shortlist includes grassroots talent from districts like Samastipur (Bihar), Guntur (Andhra Pradesh), Baramulla (J&K), and Cachar (Assam). These young innovators tackled real-life problems using tech and entrepreneurship—proof that big ideas aren’t limited to big cities.
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is a global youth innovation programme launched in 2010. In India, it encourages students to solve community problems using design thinking, technology, and business skills. The 2025 edition features themes such as AI for Bharat, health and hygiene, social change via sport and education, and green tech for sustainability.
Winning teams will receive incubation support, mentorship, and generous grants. The top four winners get INR 1 crore each, while the Top 20 and Top 40 receive INR 20 lakh and INR 8 lakh respectively.
Startup India will offer its ecosystem of incubators and accelerators, while Samsung will drive hands-on student engagement. This model public-private partnership aligns with India’s Skill India, Make in India, and Digital India missions.
Together, Samsung and Startup India aim to make innovation accessible—one student, one startup, one small town at a time.
