India Mobile Congress 10th edition to focus on DeepTech and startups
The 10th edition of India Mobile Congress starts October 7 in New Delhi, focusing on DeepTech, AI, and connecting 500+ startups with global investors.
The landmark 10th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026 is all set to transform the technological landscape, placing a heavy emphasis on DeepTech and frontier innovation. Scheduled to take place from October 7 to 10 at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in New Delhi, the event aims to bridge the gap between groundbreaking ideas and commercial reality.
Organised by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), this milestone edition is designed to act as a catalyst for the next generation of Indian entrepreneurs. Through its flagship platform, ASPIRE, the forum will focus on helping emerging companies scale from mere prototypes to full-scale commercial operations, providing them with much-needed investment and market access.
A Massive Convergence of Innovation and Capital
The scale of the upcoming event is immense. The forum is expected to bring together a powerhouse of industry players, including:
- More than 500 startups and MSMEs.
- Over 300 venture capital firms, angel networks, and incubators.
- A global gathering of over 1.5 lakh attendees from more than 100 countries.
- 300 exhibitors and partners showcasing the latest in tech.
To ensure meaningful connections, the initiative—supported by Telecom Centres of Excellence India (TCoE India) and TiE Delhi-NCR—will facilitate over 700 curated one-on-one meetings between startup founders and potential investors.
Driving the DeepTech Revolution
The ASPIRE agenda is set to dive deep into high-growth sectors that are defining the future of global technology. Key areas of focus include:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and transitioning AI-first products to production.
- Semiconductors and intelligent hardware.
- SpaceTech and advanced connectivity solutions.
Beyond networking, the event will offer practical knowledge through masterclasses on intellectual property and legal frameworks, led by experts from C-DOT and DPIIT. The excitement will peak during the ASPIRE Live Pitch-15, where 15 shortlisted startups will pitch to an elite investor panel, eventually leading to the ASPIRE NextGen Startup Awards.
Building Globally Relevant Technologies from India
Ashok Kumar, Deputy Director General at the Department of Telecommunications, emphasized that India's technological future relies on more than just digital infrastructure. He noted that the nation must nurture companies capable of building technologies that are relevant on a global scale. He highlighted that the government is committed to creating an environment where innovation, investment, and entrepreneurship work in synergy.
Ramakrishna P., CEO of India Mobile Congress, added that the event has evolved from a simple showcase of ideas into a structured ecosystem. "The goal is simple: create more pathways for promising ideas to move from the drawing board to the real world," he stated.
The Road to San Francisco: Startup World Cup India
Adding a high-stakes competitive edge to the event, the second edition of the Startup World Cup India will be hosted on October 9. The national winner of this competition will earn the prestigious opportunity to travel to San Francisco for the Grand Finale, where they will compete for a massive USD 1 million investment prize.
Upasana Sharma, Executive Director of TiE Delhi-NCR, noted that the next wave of Indian founders is emerging from smaller cities and campuses, bringing ideas that could shape tomorrow's businesses. She highlighted that these founders require more than just capital—they need mentors, customers, and access to the networks that IMC provides.