ABB India, Microsoft, and SynerLeap have launched the ABB Startup Challenge India 2025, encouraging the nation's top deep tech startups to design AI-based solutions to improve smart drive technology. The challenge will provide a winner with a $30,000 project award along with ABB expert mentorship and international exposure through ABB's innovation networks. The submission deadline is April 29, 2025.

Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) have a key part to play in improving energy efficiency, but both original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and system users may find it difficult to grasp the way their machines interact with the drives, causing delays, manual interventions, and more dependency on technical support. This project wants to simplify drive and motor selection, commissioning, and fault finding using artificial intelligence.

Building Smarter Solutions

With the theme of "Advancing Smart Drive Technology with AI Innovation," the challenge pushes the development of sophisticated technologies that can mimic real-world drive performance, commission themselves without human parameterization, and automatically debug faults. With this program, ABB India looks forward to creating a smarter, self-aware ecosystem that maximizes reliability, reduces downtime, and enhances customer experience.

This startup challenge highlights ABB's continued dedication to encouraging open innovation and creating scalable, local solutions for worldwide sustainability. With ABB India celebrating its 75th anniversary, commemorating a strong history of technology and innovation, it launches this challenge in India after successful deployments in Europe and the United States.