Chennai, May 05: Samsung R&D Institute Bangalore (SRI-B) and Samsung R&D Institute Noida (SRI-N) have announced the launch of the 2026 edition of Samsung Mobile Advance (SMA), the company’s flagship global startup incubation and partnership programme focused on advancing next-generation mobile technologies.
Rooted in Samsung Electronics’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.
With 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.
Launched in India in 2023, SMA introduced a dedicated grant funding model of up to $50,000 for Proof-of-Concept (PoC) development, with no equity taken from participating startups. This approach enables startups to validate, scale, and integrate their innovations within Samsung’s ecosystem.
Mohan Rao Goli, Managing Director and CVP, SRI-B, said,
“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 translate bold ideas into impactful solutions at global scale.”
Kyungyun Roo, Managing Director, SRI-N, added,
“Through SMA, we focus on partnering with startups that demonstrate strong cultural and technological synergy, integrating external innovation with Samsung’s R&D expertise.”
Focus Areas for 2026
SMA continues to encourage startups across a wide range of domains, including:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Extended Reality (XR)
- Security
- Health
- Camera and Imaging
- Audio
- Wearables and mobile ecosystem innovations
Programme Structure & Timeline
The programme follows a multi-stage evaluation and incubation process:
- Application Submission: April – June 30, 2026
- Application Review: July 2026
- Pitch Day: September 2026
- Final Selection: Post Pitch Day
- Programme Commencement: October 2026
- PoC Demo Day: Final showcase with potential pathways to commercialization
Benefits for Startups
Participants in SMA will receive:
- Grant funding (no equity) for PoC development
- Mentorship from Samsung’s global experts
- 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 years, Samsung has collaborated with startups across domains such as voice intelligence, 4D modelling, and security, reinforcing its commitment to co-creating impactful, real-world solutions.
With the 2026 edition of SMA, Samsung R&D Institutes in India reaffirm their commitment to empowering startups, accelerating innovation, and shaping the future of mobile technology through meaningful partnerships.
Startups building transformative mobile technologies are invited to apply before June 30, 2026, and become part of Samsung’s global innovation journey.
