ABB India, in partnership with Microsoft and SynerLeap, launched ABB Startup Challenge India 2025, inviting India’s most promising deep tech startups to develop AI-powered solutions for advancing 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 parameterization 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 United States.