India | July 2, 2026:
- Launch: Ericsson announces the Ericsson Innovation Challenge in partnership with IAN Mentoring & Incubation Services and TiE Delhi-NCR.
- Focus: Encourage startups, researchers, and academic institutions to build 5G-powered solutions addressing India’s societal challenges.
- Themes: Rural technology, digital inclusion, healthcare access, climate sustainability, agriculture, food security, and advanced manufacturing.
- Showcase: Winning solutions to be presented at India Mobile Congress 2026.
- Applications: Open July 2 – July 22, 2026.
Announcement
Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) has launched the Ericsson Innovation Challenge, a nationwide initiative designed to identify and support innovative technology solutions that leverage 5G, AI, Cloud, and IoT to address India’s most pressing societal challenges.
This initiative, part of Ericsson’s 150-year jubilee celebrations, reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to creating technology with positive societal impact.
Nitin Bansal, Managing Director, Ericsson India: “For 150 years, Ericsson has pushed the boundaries of innovation to connect people, transform industries, and positively impact communities. The Ericsson Innovation Challenge brings together India’s innovators to leverage 5G technology in solving real-world challenges.”
Padmaja Ruparel, Co-Founder, IAN Group: “The Challenge asks India’s innovators to look at our most critical societal challenges and answer them with the power of 5G. IAN brings capital and deep mentoring expertise to help promising solutions mature into investment-ready ventures.”
Geetika Dayal, Director General, TiE Delhi-NCR: “India’s entrepreneurs have ambition. What they need is the right platform, mentors, and moment. The Ericsson Innovation Challenge brings all three together, ensuring solutions that rise to the top are ready to scale and create lasting impact.”
Programme Details
- Eligibility: Open to startups, researchers, faculty members, incubatees, and innovators nationwide.
- Evaluation Criteria: Societal impact, innovation, scalability, sustainability, and alignment with chosen problem areas.
- Support: Shortlisted participants gain access to mentorship, venture-building support, and engagement opportunities with Ericsson, IAN, and TiE Delhi-NCR.
- Finale: Winners recognized at India Mobile Congress 2026.
About Ericsson
Ericsson’s high-performing, programmable networks provide connectivity for billions of people daily. For 150 years, Ericsson has pioneered communication technology, offering mobile connectivity solutions for service providers and enterprises worldwide. 🌐 www.ericsson.com
About TiE Delhi-NCR
One of the most dynamic chapters of the global TiE Network, TiE Delhi-NCR has fostered entrepreneurship for over two decades through marquee events, mentoring programs, awards, and investor pitch platforms.
