Bengaluru, July 2025.

Building on the momentum towards the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025, Asia’s largest digital technology forum, IMC today organized a Roadshow in Bengaluru. Organized by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), IMC 2025 has put a major focus on Bengaluru as critical launchpad, reflecting the city’s thriving startup ecosystem and leadership in deep-tech advancement. This year, IMC 2025 places a special emphasis on empowering startups and innovators through its flagship ASPIRE program, which will connect over 500 startups with leading investors, incubators, and global partners for mentorship, live pitching and networking.

Taking the stage at the IMC 2025 Roadshow, Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development; Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary, Department of Telecommunications (DoT); Shri Abhijit Kishore, Chairman, COAI shared their vision and insights, setting an inspiring tone for the event and India’s digital leadership ahead.

Addressing the audience, Hon’ble Minister of State (MoS) for Communications & Rural Development, Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said, “The digital transformation has been extraordinary with 1.2 billion mobile subscribers, 1 billion broadband users and over 2.2 lakh villages connected through BharatNet. We are now investing $18 billion more to connect 40,000 additional gram panchayats and 1.5 crore rural households with high-speed internet. From importing 75% of our mobile devices, we are now exporting ₹1.8 trillion worth of devices annually. This is a shift from ‘Made for India’ to ‘Made by India’. Through the Telecom Technology Development Fund, we’ve supported 120 high-tech startups with nearly ₹500 crore. India is a land of opportunity, and with government support and initiatives like TTDF, this is the best time to be an entrepreneur. My advice to startups is to never give up, build a passionate, purpose-driven team and not just build products but build solutions people are willing to pay for. Platforms like IMC are crucial for building networks, finding mentors and meeting investors. When I travel, whether it’s Japan, Thailand or ASEAN countries, people talk about India’s digital leadership and events like IMC. That’s the buzz and impact we’re creating globally.”

Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Chairman, DCC & Secretary (T), Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications said, “The India Mobile Congress is not just an event. It reflects the critical role of telecom in driving economic growth, digital connectivity, e-commerce, and even national security. We’ve often heard that India lagged in 4G, went with the world in 5G, and now wishes to lead in 6G. That ambition is what this event brings together. Telecom is a tough, highly regulated space, dominated by global giants who control standards and platforms. But through schemes and funds, such as the TTDF, the Government of India is reducing risks for startups and enabling them to grow. Our doors are always open, and we invite all innovators to come forward, be part of this journey, and help India lead the world in telecom.”

Shri Abhijit Kishore, Chairman, COAI said, "At India Mobile Congress, we believe that technology makes its deepest impact when it leads to transformation across industries, communities and borders. This belief forms the foundation of our 2025 theme, Innovate to Transform. I think the journey ahead is filled with promise. And I'm confident that IMC will remain at the forefront shaping the next chapter of India's digital revolution."

IMC also unveiled two flagship initiatives for IMC 2025: the Startup World Cup 2025 - India and Open API Hackathon, both set to energize the innovation landscape during the IMC 2025 event in October 2025.

The Startup World Cup India 2025 - India will take place at IMC 2025 as part of the Aspire program. Organized by Pegasus Tech Ventures, this prestigious competition offers Indian startups an unparalleled opportunity to compete for a $1 million grand prize at the global finals in San Francisco. This will serve as a dynamic platform for founders to connect with leading global investors, mentors and strategic partners, enabling them to showcase their innovations on an international stage while remaining anchored in India’s vibrant and rapidly evolving tech ecosystem.

The Open API Hackathon at IMC 2025 will invite developers from across India to engage with the GSMA Open Gateway initiative, a global effort to standardize telecom network APIs and make them accessible to the wider developer community. Participants will leverage a live developer platform to build innovative applications using real network capabilities, creating solutions for sectors such as fintech, mobility and logistics. The hackathon aims to raise awareness about the power of Open APIs and showcase how they can unlock next-generation digital services. By providing access to features like device location, quality of service and network alerts, which are traditionally restricted to telecom operators, the initiative empowers developers and students to co-create with mobile operators and drive enterprise innovation.

IMC 2025, scheduled from 8th to 11th October at Yashobhoomi Convention Centre, New Delhi, is expected to attract over 1.5 lakh visitors from 150+ countries, feature more than 400 exhibitors and partners and host over 7,000 global delegates. The ASPIRE program, introduced in 2023, will connect startups with more than 300 investors, incubators, accelerators, and VCs for mentorship, live pitching sessions, and networking. IMC 2025 will also feature 800+ speakers across 100 conference sessions and showcase over 1,000 cutting-edge use-cases, spotlighting emerging technologies including 5G, 6G, AI, IoT, electronics manufacturing and green tech, while addressing the challenges and opportunities of an increasingly digital world.