• India Mobile Congress (IMC 2025) to host the first Startup World Cup India from October 8-11 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi.
• 15 startups will be shortlisted from over 300 applicants to pitch for a chance to represent India at the $1M global finale in San Francisco.
• The four-day event will feature 500+ startups, 300 investors, 400 exhibitors, and 800 speakers, spotlighting India’s rise in the global innovation economy.

Digital technology sector forum India Mobile Congress (IMC) said in a statement that it will be hosting the first edition of the Startup World Cup India, where startups will present their ideas in order to be able to represent India at the global finale.

The October 8-11 event at Yashobhoomi Convention Centre, New Delhi, makes it possible for local founders to compete for the opportunity to compete in the $1 million global finale in San Francisco, the US. More than 300 startups have applied, and from these, 15 startups will be shortlisted to pitch their ideas to a handpicked jury of venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and policy leaders, an official announcement stated.

"As one of the standout features of the Aspire programme this year, the 'Startup World Cup' aligns with IMC's greater mission: to position India as a global powerhouse in deep-tech and digital innovation", the statement added.  As the host of the Startup World Cup India for the very first time, 'IMC 2025' showcases its focus on positioning Indian startups at the vanguard of the global innovation economy, said Ramakrishna P, CEO of India Mobile Congress.

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"With 'IMC Aspire', we're not merely providing startups an opportunity to pitch, but a means to grow worldwide", he added. Having been launched in 2023, IMC Aspire's third edition for this year is aimed at bringing more than 500 startups together with 300 investors, accelerators, and venture funds. The four-day 'IMC 2025' will attract more than 1.5 lakh people from over 150 nations, display more than 400 exhibitors, and have 800 speakers across 100 conference sessions.

The discussions span topics such as next-generation connectivity, electronics manufacturing, AI-driven solutions, IoT, and more, the release noted. India has moved up from rank 81 to 39 in the Global Innovation Index in less than a decade. The country’s economy continued its strong momentum in the first quarter of 2025-26 (Q1 FY26), with GDP growing 7.8 per cent, compared to 6.5 per cent in the same period last year