Samsung Mobile Advance 2026

Samsung Mobile Advance 2026 is a corporate startup innovation and grant support program designed for Indian startups building technologies that can enhance Samsung’s mobile ecosystem. The program is particularly relevant for deeptech, AI, XR, security, health-tech, wearable, sensor, and mobile-experience-focused startups that already have a strong innovation concept and want strategic ecosystem access alongside funding.

The initiative is led by Samsung R&D Institute Bangalore (SRI-B) and Samsung R&D Institute Noida (SRI-N) under Samsung’s broader Open Innovation strategy. Unlike many traditional accelerator programs, Samsung Mobile Advance is structured around Proof-of-Concept (PoC) collaboration. Selected startups receive grant funding, mentorship, and access to Samsung’s ecosystem to develop solutions that could potentially integrate into Samsung’s mobile products and experiences.

A major differentiator of the program is its zero-equity grant structure. Samsung explicitly states that startups retain ownership and equity while using the funding to validate and scale their innovation through a structured 6-month PoC engagement.

For the 2026 edition, Samsung is inviting startups from India working across areas including:

1. AI
2. XR
3. Security
4. Health
5. Camera technologies
6. Audio
7. Wearables
8. Sensors
9. Connectivity
10. Foldable experiences
11. Other Samsung mobile-related domains

The program follows a multi-stage evaluation structure involving proposal submission, expert review, pitch rounds, incubation support, and a final demo showcase. Samsung also highlights opportunities for long-term collaboration, partnerships, and potential commercialization pathways for selected startups.

From a founder’s perspective, this opportunity is especially relevant for startups that already have a technically strong innovation thesis and want enterprise-grade validation through a global technology ecosystem. Teams building mobile-first or device-integrated technologies may find significantly higher strategic value here compared to generic accelerator programs focused only on mentorship.

Offerings / Benefits:

1. Grant funding up to $50,000
2. Zero-equity funding structure
3. Mentorship from Samsung experts and talent network
4. Access to Samsung’s product ecosystem and scale
5. Strategic partnership opportunities
6. Potential investment opportunities
7. Long-term collaboration possibilities within Samsung’s innovation ecosystem