Bengaluru: The India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025, which is Asia’s largest digital technology forum, will host the inaugural Startup World Cup India. Scheduled to occur from October 8 to 11 at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in New Delhi, this global competition will serve as a highlight of Aspire, IMC’s flagship program aimed at supporting startups and innovators. IMC Aspire has already attracted over 300 entries, from which 15 startups will be chosen to present their pitches to a selected jury. The competition is set for October 10, 2025, during the India Mobile Congress, where the finalists will pitch live.
The winner of this edition will earn a spot at the Startup World Cup Grand Finale in San Francisco, competing for a $1 million investment prize. The Startup World Cup is an international contest designed to connect startups with global investors, incubators, mentors, and ecosystem partners, providing a unique chance for founders to present transformative ideas, pitch to international juries, and network with industry leaders. As a significant aspect of this year’s Aspire program, the Startup World Cup aligns with IMC’s broader mission to establish India as a global leader in deep-tech and digital innovation.
Ramakrishna P., CEO of India Mobile Congress, commented, “With IMC Aspire, we are not merely providing startups a platform to pitch, but also a pathway to expand internationally. By hosting Startup World Cup India for the first time, IMC 2025 reaffirms its dedication to placing Indian startups at the forefront of the global innovation economy. Together, Aspire and the Startup World Cup will offer Indian startups an authentic platform to gain visibility, support, and resources.” The jury for the Startup World Cup India edition at IMC Aspire will consist of a distinguished panel of industry experts and ecosystem leaders.
This panel includes Tej Kapoor, Director of Venture Capital at ICICI Venture; Ashish Kumar, Co-Founder and General Partner at Fundamentum; Alok Mittal, Co-Founder of Indifi Technologies and Governing Council Member at TiE Delhi-NCR; Girish Shivani, Executive Director and Fund Manager at YourNest VC Fund; Anil Kumar Bhardwaj, DDG (SE) at DoT; and Lt. Gen. Dr. SP Kochhar, Director General of COAI. These jurors bring extensive experience in venture capital, startup scaling, deeptech, and digital policy, making this competition an exceptional chance for founders to pitch to key decision-makers in India’s innovation economy.
Launched in 2023, IMC Aspire has quickly emerged as a crucial platform for entrepreneurs, with the third edition this year expected to connect over 500 startups with more than 300 investors, accelerators, and venture capitalists through tailored programs, including mentorship, investor roundtables, and business matchmaking. With IMC’s emphasis on sectors such as AI, 5G, 6G, deeptech, healthtech, and greentech, entrepreneurs will have access to thought leaders from major corporations, government entities, and global VCs who are influencing the future of technology. Over the four days, IMC 2025 will highlight the scale and vibrancy of India’s digital ecosystem.
The event is anticipated to attract over 150,000 visitors from more than 150 countries, feature over 400 exhibitors and partners, host more than 7,000 global delegates, and bring together over 800 speakers across 100 conference sessions. In addition to the startup showcase, attendees will witness over 1,000 cutting-edge demonstrations, covering areas such as next-generation connectivity, electronics manufacturing, AI-driven solutions, IoT, and more.