This Indian Student Team Just Won One of the World’s Top Innovation Competitions

In a proud moment for India’s innovation ecosystem, students from Galgotias University have emerged as global champions at EDVentures 2026, an international innovation and entrepreneurship competition hosted by The Education University of Hong Kong.Competing against 19 teams from 10 countries, the young innovators showcased solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and demonstrated how technology can be used to solve real-world challenges. Their efforts earned them the competition’s top honour, putting Indian student innovation firmly on the global map.A Solution Designed for InclusionThe winning project, TACTO, addresses a critical challenge in education—making coding and STEM learning accessible to visually impaired students.Across much of the world, particularly in the Global South, only a small percentage of visually impaired learners have access to interactive and inclusive STEM education tools. This gap often limits opportunities in technology-related fields. To bridge this divide, the Galgotias team developed a learning solution that combines buttons, sensors, and audio feedback to teach foundational coding concepts through touch and sensory interaction.Rather than relying on visual interfaces, TACTO allows learners to understand coding principles through hands-on experiences, making technology education more accessible and engaging. The innovation directly contributes to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, which focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all.The Team Behind the InnovationProject TACTO was represented by three students from different academic backgrounds. The team included Gaurang Pant, a third-year BTech Computer Science and Engineering student, Shristi Mandoliya, a second-year BTech Computer Science and Engineering with Data Science student, and Kavya Singh, a third-year BBA Financial Investment Analysis student. Together, they transformed an idea into a globally recognized solution capable of creating meaningful social impact.Speaking about the achievement, the founders described the experience as unforgettable and emphasized their belief that technology can become a powerful force for inclusion and accessibility.TACTO was not the only Galgotias-led innovation to impress international judges. Another student startup, Tekurious Pvt Ltd, was selected among the global finalists for its virtual reality-based immersive learning platform designed to make education more interactive and engaging. The success of both teams highlighted India's growing strength in educational technology and innovation-driven entrepreneurship.Participants at EDVentures 2026 represented some of the world's leading institutions, including universities from Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates. Against this highly competitive international field, the Indian teams demonstrated creativity, problem-solving skills, and a commitment to addressing social challenges through innovation.Building Solutions That MatterFor Galgotias University CEO Dr. Dhruv Galgotia, the victory reflects the growing confidence of young Indian innovators. At a time when technology is rapidly reshaping education, projects like TACTO show that innovation is not just about creating new tools, it is about ensuring that no one is left behind.By combining technology, empathy, and entrepreneurship, these students have done more than win a competition. They have demonstrated how innovation can open doors, create opportunities, and improve lives around the world.