Qualcomm Advances On-Device AI Innovation with 2026 APAC Startup Program

Qualcomm Technologies has officially announced the 15 startups chosen to participate in its Qualcomm AI Program for Innovators (QAIPI) 2026 across the Asia Pacific region. Launched on June 23, 2026, this initiative is designed to empower emerging companies from Japan, Singapore, and South Korea to drive innovation in on-device AI. The program provides comprehensive support, including equity-free mentorship from Qualcomm experts, access to advanced hardware development platforms like Qualcomm Snapdragon® and Dragonwing™ products, and financial grants. These selected startups are developing cutting-edge AI solutions for diverse fields such as smart healthcare, robotics, smart industry, and smart cities. The emphasis on 'on-device AI' means that artificial intelligence processing occurs directly on the gadget itself rather than relying on cloud servers. This approach offers significant advantages for consumer gadgets, including enhanced privacy, reduced latency for faster responses, and greater power efficiency, which extends battery life. Innovations from this program are expected to lead to more intelligent smartphones, advanced wearables with real-time health monitoring, smarter home devices, and more capable IoT gadgets that can process complex data locally. The program culminates in a Demo Day later this year, where these startups will showcase their AI innovations to industry stakeholders and investors, potentially accelerating their path to commercialization and integrating their advancements into the next generation of consumer electronics.