6,00,000 in prizes and sponsorship for the most creative projects

BENGALURU, India – DigiKey, the global distribution leader of electronic components and automation products, announced its sponsorship of the AIoT Design Challenge 2026, an exciting initiative aimed at fostering innovation at the intersection of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (AIoT).

The DigiKey AIoT Design Challenge 2026 aims to provide participants with a rewarding innovation journey. Registered participants will receive exclusive access to essential resources, including development board details, specifications, idea submission samples, project article guidelines and curated learning videos, ensuring they are fully equipped to bring their ideas to life.

Participants will have a chance to win cash prizes and development boards if their ideas are selected, including featured supplier boards from Analog Devices, Arduino and M5Stack. Cash prizes will include ₹1,00,000 for first place, ₹30,000 for second place, ₹20,000 for third place, and 15 projects will be selected as “most popular” projects and awarded ₹5,000 each. In addition, participants who submit a qualified project abstract will be awarded a Certificate of Participation, recognizing their effort and initiative in the competition.

“DigiKey is excited to sponsor the AIoT Design Challenge 2026 and support the next generation of innovators exploring the possibilities of AI and IoT,” said Ben Brookes, director of regional marketing for DigiKey. “We are eager for participants to develop impactful, real-world solutions that push the boundaries of connected technology and inspire innovation across industries.”

Beyond monetary rewards, the competition offers unparalleled industry exposure. Winning projects will receive editorial coverage on ElectronicsForU.com, including a dedicated author page, and promotion across EFY’s extensive digital platforms, reaching an audience of over 5 million industry professionals.

All submissions will be evaluated by experienced industry experts. Projects will be judged based on creativity and innovation, effective use of bill of materials sourced from DigiKey, quality of documentation, real-world applicability and the strength of video demonstrations. This ensures a fair and thorough assessment while encouraging participants to develop well-rounded, impactful solutions.

For more information about the design challenge, visit digikey.electronicsforu.com/challenge/.

About DigiKey

DigiKey, headquartered in Thief River Falls, Minn., USA, is the global distribution leader of electronic components and automation products. DigiKey delivers the broadest and deepest selection of products available for immediate shipment worldwide, offering more than 18 million components from nearly 3,000 trusted manufacturers. Engineers, designers, builders and procurement professionals rely on DigiKey for innovative digital solutions, design tools and frictionless purchasing experiences that simplify every stage of their projects. Discover more about DigiKey’s electronics distribution, automation solutions and design resources at digikey.com and on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.