London-based consumer tech brand, Nothing, has announced the winner of its Nothing Incubator program in India. Team Connection from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM), Pune won the competition, designed to tap into the country’s brightest young minds under the theme “Making Tech Fun Again.”
Team Connection, comprising SIBM Pune students Atmarani Mohanty, Abhishek Chauhan, and Riya Garg, impressed the jury with their innovative concept for STEM learning enhanced by augmented reality (AR), to turn textbooks into interactive vernacular learning experiences for students. Their winning proposal was lauded for its clarity and a clear identification of existing educational pain points, demonstrating a deep understanding of how to blend cutting-edge technology with practical & engaging applications.
Akis Evangelidis, Co-founder and India President of Nothing, commented on the conclusion of the program, stating, “The Nothing Incubator program reaffirmed what we’ve always believed – India is a powerhouse of creative, unfiltered talent. We received an incredible response, with so many bold and original ideas coming in from students across the country. Team Connection’s idea perfectly embodied the spirit of the challenge – it was bold, addressed a real-world problem, and made learning fun again through smart use of augmented reality. We’re proud to see students not just dreaming big, but designing ideas that can truly make tech fun again.”
As the winning team, Connection from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM), Pune, will take home a ₹2 lakh cash prize, Nothing Phone (3) devices, winner certificates, and an exclusive interview opportunity with the Nothing India leadership team. The first runner-up, Team f20221844 from Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS) Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, will receive Nothing Phone (3a) Pro devices and certificates. The second runner-up, Team Elevators from Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Lucknow, will be awarded Nothing Phone (3a) devices and certificates. The winning team has also secured an interview opportunity with Nothing India.
Launched in July 2025, the Nothing Incubator invited students from over 60 top institutions across India, including IITs, IIMs, BITS Pilani, XLRI, FMS Delhi, and SPJIMR. The program attracted hundreds of entries, which were shortlisted through three rounds: an initial one-slide Idea Submission, followed by a detailed Strategic Roadmap submission, and culminating in a live Grand Finale pitch to the Nothing jury.
