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 aimed at advancing next-generation mobile technologies.
Rooted in Samsung’s Open Innovation vision, the programme seeks to bridge the gap between deep tech startups and Samsung’s global mobile ecosystem, enabling breakthrough innovations across millions of devices. The latest edition invites startups from India to collaborate with Samsung in shaping future mobile experiences, reinforcing the company’s strategy of combining external innovation with in-house research and development.
No equity funding model to support innovation
Originally launched in India in 2023, SMA introduced a grant funding model of up to 50,000 US dollars for Proof of Concept development, without taking any equity. This allows startups to validate and scale their ideas within Samsung’s ecosystem while retaining full ownership of their innovations.
“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,” said Mohan Rao Goli, Managing Director and Corporate Vice President, Samsung R&D Institute India, Bangalore. “We aim to build long-term partnerships that accelerate innovation and translate bold ideas into impactful solutions at a global scale.”
Kyungyun Roo, Managing Director, Samsung R&D Institute India, Noida, added that the programme focuses on partnering with startups demonstrating strong cultural and technological synergy, enabling integration of external innovation with Samsung’s R&D expertise.
Focus areas and programme timeline
For 2026, the programme will focus on areas including artificial intelligence, extended reality, security, health, camera, audio, and wearables, among other mobile-related domains. The initiative is designed to support solutions that can seamlessly integrate into Samsung’s device ecosystem.
Applications are open until June 30, followed by a multi-stage selection process including proposal review in July and a Pitch Day in September. Selected startups will begin incubation in October, culminating in a final Proof of Concept showcase with potential pathways to commercialisation, partnerships, or investment.
Participants will receive grant funding, mentorship from Samsung experts, access to its product ecosystem, and opportunities for strategic collaboration, reinforcing Samsung’s continued push to co-create impactful mobile innovations with startups.
