• India Mobile Congress 2025 gears up with a Bengaluru roadshow, spotlighting the city’s deep-tech ecosystem alongside TiE’s Matrix Global Summit, with themes like generative AI, blockchain, and sustainability.
• IMC’s ASPIRE initiative to connect 500+ startups with global investors and mentors, backed by government support to accelerate a startup-led digital economy, beyond just telecom sector.
• India reaffirms digital leadership with $18B rural internet boost and focus on 6G R&D, while announcing Startup World Cup India and Open API Hackathon as marquee IMC 2025 events.

In the run-up to the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025, Asia's largest digital technology conference in October, a major roadshow took place in Bengaluru with the aim of energizing the city's tech ecosystem. Hosted by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), the roadshow highlighted Bengaluru's status as a hub for innovation and deep-tech entrepreneurship.

Part of the IMC 2025 promotion drive was the roadshow, which was timed to coincide with the Matrix Global Summit 2025 organized by TiE Bangalore, a convention known for hosting key voices in the space of emerging technology areas. The summit this year centered around deep-tech verticals such as generative AI, advanced manufacturing, blockchain, and industrial sustainability domains at the heart of India's innovation agenda.

IMC 2025 will encourage a fresh generation of entrepreneurial expansion through its pilot ASPIRE initiative, which will link over 500 startups with international investors, mentors, and ecosystem stakeholders. Live pitching, networking, and guided mentorship are core components, reinforcing the government's intent to drive a startup-led digital revolution.

Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, underlined the necessity of giving strength to startups, regardless of whether they are telecom-related or not. Referring to the quick digitalization of India, he mentioned more than 1.2 billion mobile subscribers, 1 billion broadband connections, and over 2.2 lakh villages covered under BharatNet. He declared another USD 18 billion investment to connect 40,000 more gram panchayats and 1.5 crore rural houses with high-speed internet.

Reiterating India's telecom success story further, he referred to the country's shift from being a 75 percent importer of mobile devices to exporting Rs 1.8 trillion worth every year. Dr Neeraj Mittal, Chairman of the Digital Communications Commission and Secretary, DoT, indicated India's vision for leadership in the world with regard to 6G innovation through supportive schemes such as the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF), designed to derisk startup engagement in an uncertain telecom environment.

The roadshow also launched two marquee events at IMC 2025, the Startup World Cup India and the Open API Hackathon, wherein developers will create real-time applications leveraging global GSMA Open Gateway APIs with the aim of developing applications in fintech, mobility, and logistics.