At the India Mobile Congress 2026, Ericsson unveiled the winners of its flagship startup competition, the Ericsson Innovation Challenge. The contest, launched earlier this year, sought startups developing 5G and AI-based solutions with measurable societal impact. The competition was organised in partnership with IAN Mentoring and Incubation Services and TiE Delhi NCR, evaluating innovations on impact, innovation, scalability, and alignment with chosen problem areas, according to inc42.com.
The challenge began with startups submitting entries focused on leveraging 5G, AI, and emerging connectivity technologies to address real-world challenges across sectors. A panel assessed submissions on multiple parameters, including sustainability and societal benefits. Ericsson India managing director Nitin Bansal highlighted that the winning innovations were showcased alongside demonstrations of AI, programmable networks, and mission-critical networks at the event, underscoring the role of current networks as platforms for future Indian innovations, inc42.com reported.
This initiative reflects Ericsson's broader ambition to advance connectivity beyond 5G towards 6G technologies, including edge intelligence, sensing, and collaborative robots. By fostering startups that develop scalable and impactful 5G solutions, Ericsson aims to embed connectivity as a foundational technology layer for new services. The competition aligns with global trends where telecom companies increasingly support startups to accelerate innovation in network-based applications, as detailed by inc42.com.
The Ericsson Innovation Challenge 2026 winners were announced at the India Mobile Congress, marking a key milestone in the company’s efforts to promote technology-driven societal impact. The event also featured demonstrations pointing towards future 6G applications, positioning Ericsson at the forefront of next-generation connectivity development, according to inc42.com.