The Student Startup Awards 2026 at Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University highlighted how students are solving everyday problems using technology, and creating useful and practical solutions across sectors, reports Anjanaya Singh.Vortex Autonomous Systems Pvt LtdAvi Mittal and Ankur Debnath from Ajay Kumar Garg Engineering College won the deep-tech student start-up award. The purpose is to build smart drones for defence, border security and disaster response. It works through autonomous systems where drones can fly, collect data and make decisions using in-built AI software. “Making drones smart can help in defence and save lives,” said Avi Mittal.AgroLens Pvt LtdAdarsh Singh and Aniket Vishwakarma from Buddha Institute of Technology, won the agriculture and agri-tech student start-up award. The purpose is to help farmers detect crop diseases early and improve yield. It works through a mobile app that scans crops, identifies diseases using AI and gives treatment advice, which also works without internet.DermaShudhi LLPMayank Diwakar, Sonu Bhagat and Shubham Pandey from Inderprastha Engineering College, won the tech-innovation student start-up award. The purpose is to provide easy skin disease diagnosis in rural areas. It works through a handheld device that scans skin and uses AI to detect conditions quickly. “Our aim is to bring skin healthcare services to rural areas,” said Sonu BhagatNexonix Reflexo Pvt LtdAman Kumar from Rajkiya Engineering College, Banda, won the sustainable and green energy student start-up award. The purpose is to reduce foot pain and improve comfort. It works through specially designed insoles that apply pressure on key points of the feet, helping reduce fatigue and improve posture.WeXR Immersive Pvt LtdYash Tomar and Irtiqa Rehman Ansari from Meerut Institute of Engineering and Technology, won the women-led student start-up award. The purpose is to improve practical learning for students. It works through virtual reality labs where students can perform experiments digitally with AI guidance. “We wanted every student to learn by doing, even without labs,” said Irtiqa Rehman Ansari.