Ericsson Launches Nationwide 5G Innovation Challenge for Societal Impact

• The initiative seeks to accelerate the 5G ecosystem in India to build national capability in support of the country’s ‘Digital India’ Agenda.
• Open to startups, researchers, academic institutions and innovators nationwide. 
• Award winning solutions will be showcased at the India Mobile Congress 2026

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) today announced the launch of its ‘Ericsson Innovation Challenge’, a nationwide initiative designed to identify and support innovative technology solutions that address critical societal challenges through the application of 5G and technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud and Internet-of-Things (IoT). Launched in partnership with IAN Mentoring and Incubation Services and TiE Delhi-NCR, the Ericsson Innovation Challenge seeks to bring together India's startup ecosystem, research community, academic institutions and technology innovators to develop and deploy solutions that can create measurable impact across sectors critical to the country's development.

This initiative has been specifically designed for India and forms part of Ericsson's global 150-year jubilee celebrations, reflecting the company's long-standing commitment to innovating to create positive societal impact.

The Ericsson Innovation Challenge will focus on solutions that address public-benefit challenges in areas such as rural technology and digital inclusion, healthcare access and diagnostics, climate and environmental sustainability, agricultural productivity and food security, and advanced manufacturing. Through the initiative, Ericsson aims to strengthen national capability – in building the use of 5G technologies while encouraging innovation that delivers meaningful outcomes for communities across India.

Nitin Bansal, Managing Director, Ericsson India, says, "For 150 years, Ericsson has pushed the boundaries of innovation to connect people, transform industries and positively impact the communities in which we operate. As we celebrate this milestone, we are proud to launch the Ericsson Innovation Challenge, an initiative that brings together innovators, researchers and entrepreneurs in India to leverage 5G technology in order to solve real-world challenges.”

“India has a dynamic innovation ecosystem that can leverage 5G and other emerging technologies to address critical needs across healthcare, agriculture, sustainability, manufacturing and digital inclusion. Through this initiative, we hope to support solutions that can deliver measurable impact, strengthen the 5G ecosystem and contribute to India's digital future", he added.

"At IAN, we have always backed founders who see opportunity where others see obstacles. The Ericsson Innovation Challenge does exactly that — it asks India's innovators to look at our most critical societal challenges and answer them with the power of 5G. As partners in this initiative, IAN brings not just capital but deep mentoring expertise to help the most promising solutions mature into ready investment ventures. We are delighted to provide a platform that connects these innovators with the support, guidance and networks they need to turn bold ideas into lasting impact.”- Padmaja Ruparel, Co-Founder- IAN Group and Senior Managing Partner - IAN Alpha Fund. 

“India's entrepreneurs have never lacked ambition — what they need is the right platform, the right mentors and the right moment. The Ericsson Innovation Challenge brings all three together. TiE Delhi-NCR is proud to partner in identifying and nurturing solutions that use 5G to address India's most pressing needs across healthcare, agriculture, sustainability, food security and digital inclusion. Through our mentorship network and rigorous jury process, we will help ensure that the ideas which rise to the top at India Mobile Congress 2026 are not just innovative, but ready to scale and create lasting impact." said Geetika Dayal, Director General, TiE Delhi-NCR. 

About the Ericsson Innovation Challenge

The Ericsson Innovation Challenge is open to researchers, faculty members, technology transfer offices, incubatees of recognised incubators, and Indian startups so that they can develop 5G technology solutions that are innovative, ready for deployment and have measurable societal impact in India. Participants will be evaluated by a high-profile jury on the potential societal impact, innovation, scalability and sustainability of their solution, as well as its alignment with the identified problem area selected by the participant.

Applications will open on 2nd July 2026 and close on 22nd July 2026. Following a multi-stage evaluation and mentoring process led by industry experts, investors and ecosystem leaders, shortlisted participants will gain access to mentorship, venture-building support and engagement opportunities with Ericsson and its partners, TiE Delhi-NCR and IAN. The top teams will showcase their solutions before industry leaders, policymakers, investors and technology experts, with the winners being recognized at the final awards ceremony at India Mobile Congress 2026.

Interested applicants can learn more about the eligibility criteria and application process for the Ericsson Innovation Challenge here