ABB India introduces Startup Challenge to develop AI-powered solutions

By Staff Report April 15, 2025 7:01 pm IST

ABB India, Microsoft, and SynerLeap have launched the ABB Startup Challenge India 2025, inviting deep tech businesses to develop AI-powered solutions for smart drive technology.

ABB India, in collaboration with Microsoft and SynerLeap, launched the ABB Startup Challenge India 2025, which invites India’s most promising deep tech businesses to create AI-powered solutions to advance smart drive technology. The winner of the challenge will receive a $30,000 project prize, mentorship from ABB experts, and gain global exposure through ABB’s innovation platforms. The last date to submit applications is April 29, 2025. 

Variable Speed Drivers (VSDs) are instrumental in improving energy efficiency; original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and system users often face challenges understanding how their machines interact with these drives – leading to delays, manual inputs, and increased dependence on technical support. The initiative aims to simplify drive and motor selection, commissioning, and troubleshooting using artificial intelligence.

Under the theme “Advancing Smart Drive Technology with AI Innovation”, the focus is on developing advanced technologies that can simulate real-world drive performance, self-commission without manual parameterisation or input, and autonomously troubleshoot issues. Through this initiative, ABB India seeks to create a smarter, self-learning ecosystem that improves reliability, reduces downtime, and enhances the customer experience.

The startup challenge reflects ABB’s continued efforts to promote open innovation and create scalable, local solutions for global sustainability. As ABB India celebrates its 75th anniversary, highlighting a rich legacy of technology and innovation, it introduces this challenge to the country following its successful implementations in parts of Europe and the United States.