Competing against 19 teams from 10 countries, two student teams from Galgotias University represented India at the prestigious international platform and earned recognition for innovation-driven solutions focused on accessibility and immersive education.
Project TACTO emerged as the overall winner, securing the Top Prize and the AWS Championship Prize at EDVentures 2026. The team received prize money and support valued at USD 7,000 for developing an inclusive learning solution designed to address accessibility challenges faced by visually impaired students in coding and technology education.
The project was developed in response to the limited availability of inclusive and interactive STEM learning tools for visually impaired learners, particularly across the Global South. The solution uses buttons, sensors, and audio feedback to help students understand foundational coding concepts through touch-based and sensory interaction. By making coding education more accessible, engaging, and experiential, the innovation directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, which focuses on quality and inclusive education.
Project TACTO was represented by Gaurang Pant, a third-year Bachelor of Technology student in Computer Science and Engineering from the Class of 2027; Shristi Mandoliya, a second-year Bachelor of Technology student in Computer Science and Engineering with Data Science from the Class of 2028; and Kavya Singh, a third-year Bachelor of Business Administration student in Financial Investment Analysis from the Class of 2026.
Another student-led venture from Galgotias University, Tekurious Pvt Ltd, also earned a place among the global finalists. The startup presented a virtual reality-based immersive learning platform designed to create highly engaging and interactive educational experiences for learners.
Reflecting on the achievement, the founders of Project TACTO described the recognition as a defining moment. They stated that competing with teams from across the world and receiving international recognition for their idea strengthened their belief that technology can be a powerful force for meaningful social impact. According to the team, the project was developed with the objective of making learning more inclusive and accessible for visually impaired students.
Rachit Mathur, entrepreneur and mentor to Project TACTO, praised the team’s dedication and commitment throughout the journey. He said the mentorship process evolved into a collaborative experience involving extensive discussions on business models, pitching strategies, and long-term planning. Mathur credited the students for transforming an idea into a powerful innovation and highlighted the months of work invested in refining the pitch, go-to-market strategy, founder mindset, and investor preparedness. Drawing on more than 15 years of experience in the startup ecosystem, he said the announcement of the results was both personal and emotional. He also noted that Galgotias University fully sponsored the teams’ participation and international travel to Hong Kong, reflecting the institution’s growing startup culture under the leadership of Dr. Dhruv Galgotia.
The competition featured participation from several prominent international institutions, including The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; National Institute of Education, Singapore; King Saud University, Saudi Arabia; East China Normal University, China; Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia; Ajman University, United Arab Emirates; Beijing Normal University, China; The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; and Mahidol University, Thailand.
Dr. Dhruv Galgotia, Chief Executive Officer of Galgotias University, said the students had made India proud by representing the nation on a global platform. He noted that their innovation addressed a critical challenge in inclusive education for visually impaired learners and demonstrated how technology, empathy, and interdisciplinary thinking can work together to create meaningful solutions. He added that it was encouraging to see students competing confidently alongside leading international universities and receiving recognition for innovations with significant social impact. According to him, the university continues to strengthen an ecosystem that provides students with access to technology, mentorship, global exposure, startup support, and opportunities to transform ideas into real-world solutions.
Galgotias University has increasingly focused on fostering innovation, research, global exposure, and problem-solving through interdisciplinary education, industry engagement, startup incubation, and technology-driven academic initiatives.
Recognised as one of India’s leading multidisciplinary institutions, Galgotias University has built a rapidly expanding ecosystem centred on academic excellence, research, innovation, global collaborations, entrepreneurship, and industry-aligned education. The university currently serves more than 50,000 students and maintains a global alumni network exceeding 100,000 graduates.
In the QS World University Rankings 2026 by Quacquarelli Symonds, Galgotias University was placed in the 1201–1400 global band and ranked 15th among private universities and 43rd among all universities in India. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, the institution was placed in the 1201–1500 global band and ranked 27th among private universities and 65th among all universities in the country. The university also holds a NAAC A+ accreditation, one of the highest institutional quality ratings in India.
The university offers programmes across engineering, artificial intelligence, computer science, semiconductors, business, law, media, design, health sciences, hospitality, liberal education, and emerging interdisciplinary fields. In 2026, its students secured more than 5,100 employment offers from over 1,250 recruiters. Galgotias University has also established industry and innovation partnerships with Apple, Infosys, Intel, Cisco, Tata Technologies, L&T EduTech, Capgemini, and Salesforce, while continuing to expand its global academic engagement and startup ecosystem.
The success of Project TACTO and Tekurious Pvt Ltd at EDVentures 2026 underscores the growing international presence of Indian student innovators and highlights the role of universities in developing technology-driven solutions that address real-world challenges through innovation, inclusivity, and entrepreneurship.
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