The 9th edition of India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025, Asia’s premier platform for telecom, media and technology, put the spotlight on innovation and entrepreneurship with three marquee showcases: the IMC Awards 2025, inaugural Startup World Cup India and the Open API Hackathon. Jointly hosted by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the COAI, IMC 2025 was held in New Delhi from 8–11 October.

Startup World Cup India Editon

Astrome Technologies, a Bengaluru-based deeptech venture founded by Dr. Neha Satak and Dr. Prasad HL Bhat, which is transforming 5G rollout and rural connectivity infrastructure, emerged as the winner at the first-ever Startup World Cup India. The India edition brought together top early-stage ventures competing for a chance to represent India at the global finale to compete for a $1 million grand prize in San Francisco. The pitch sessions highlighted entrepreneurial ambition across deeptech, AI, enterprise solutions, and digital inclusion, reinforcing India’s position as a global startup powerhouse.

GSMA Open Gateway Hackathon: India

The Idea named ‘PinPoint’ by Rohit Vijayan Team from Chennai emerged as the winner of the inaugural GSMA Open Gateway Hackathon at India Mobile Congress 2025, a challenge jointly hosted by Nokia and GSMA to accelerate the development of network API–based services and next-gen innovations using advanced network capabilities. Team Malaai earned the second-place prize, while Team ZipCode Breakers secured third place.

The hackathon titled "India Connected - APIs for a Billion Lives" received more than 2,300 registrations and 400 ideas, or solution concepts, from developers, startups, and innovators with 100 finalists invited to attend and build new API-powered solutions to address real-world challenges across India's diverse landscape. Using Open Gateway APIs, and Nokia's Network as Code platform, participants created services that improve lives, unlock new revenue streams and demonstrate the transformative potential of network intelligence.

IMC Awards 2025

The IMC Awards 2025 honoured outstanding contributions across 15 categories, recognising industry leaders, innovators, and emerging enterprises for shaping the future of digital connectivity. With 157 entries and participation from leading telecom players, startups, and research organisations, the awards reinforced IMC’s legacy as the premier platform to celebrate technology-driven impact.

List of Winners at IMC 2025 Awards

Delivering the keynote address at the IMC Awards 2025, Dr. Chandrashekhar Pemmasani, Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Government of India said, “India’s industrial and technological ecosystem is entering a transformative phase, driven by innovation, entrepreneurship, and strategic collaboration. Startups navigating this landscape face a marathon of challenges that require resilience, careful evaluation, and guidance from mentors to turn ideas into scalable businesses. For established companies, sustaining competitiveness depends on continuous innovation, adopting emerging technologies and ecosystems that promote shared growth. I congratulate IMC for this initiative and industry must continue driving innovation, creating value, and strengthening India’s position as a global hub for technology, manufacturing, and industrial excellence.”

Ramakrishna P., CEO, India Mobile Congress added, “India Mobile Congress 2025 marks a new pinnacle in our journey, solidifying our role as Asia's epicentre for technology and innovation. This year, we are proud to host expanding global collaborations through dedicated country pavilions, while also fostering our vibrant startup ecosystem with initiatives like the first-ever Startup World Cup India and Open API Hackathon. With high-impact summits on transformative technologies like 6G, AI, Satcom, Cybersecurity and unprecedented collaboration with over 30 government ministries, IMC 2025 is the definitive platform where global leaders and Indian policymakers will unite to co-create and accelerate our nation's digital future.”