India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 has organized a Roadshow in Bengaluru. Organised by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), IMC 2025 has put a major focus on Bengaluru as critical launchpad, reflecting the city’s thriving start-up ecosystem and leadership in deep-tech advancement. This year, IMC 2025 places a special emphasis on empowering start-ups and innovators through its flagship ASPIRE program, which will connect over 500 start-ups with leading investors, incubators, and global partners for mentorship, live pitching and networking.
The IMC 2025 Roadshow in Bengaluru was organised on the side-lines of the Matrix Global Summit 2025 by TiE Bangalore, which has become a crucial platform uniting industry leaders, innovators, and visionaries. This year, the summit is placing special emphasis on deep-tech domains such as generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), new-age manufacturing, blockchain, and industrial sustainability, fostering collaboration and inspiring breakthrough ideas that will drive India’s next wave of innovation.
Addressing the audience, Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State (MoS) for Communications and Rural Development, said, “The digital transformation has been extraordinary with 1.2 billion mobile subscribers, 1 billion broadband users and over 0.22 million villages connected through BharatNet. We are now investing $18 billion more to connect 40,000 additional gram panchayats and 150 million rural households with high-speed internet. From importing 75% of our mobile devices, we are now exporting Rs 1.8 trillion worth of devices annually. This is a shift from ‘Made for India’ to ‘Made by India’. Through the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF), we have supported 120 high-tech start-ups with nearly Rs 5 billion. India is a land of opportunity, and with government support and initiatives like TTDF, this is the best time to be an entrepreneur. My advice to start-ups is to never give up, build a passionate, purpose-driven team and not just build products but build solutions people are willing to pay for. Platforms like IMC are crucial for building networks, finding mentors and meeting investors. When I travel, whether it is Japan, Thailand or ASEAN countries, people talk about India’s digital leadership and events like IMC. That’s the buzz and impact we’re creating globally.”
Meanwhile, Dr Neeraj Mittal, chairman, DCC and secretary (T), Department of Telecommunications (DoT), said, “The India Mobile Congress is not just an event. It reflects the critical role of telecom in driving economic growth, digital connectivity, e-commerce, and even national security. We have often heard that India lagged in 4G, went with the world in 5G, and now wishes to lead in 6G. That ambition is what this event brings together. Telecom is a tough, highly regulated space, dominated by global giants who control standards and platforms. But through schemes and funds, such as the TTDF, the Government of India is reducing risks for start-ups and enabling them to grow. Our doors are always open, and we invite all innovators to come forward, be part of this journey, and help India lead the world in telecom.”
In addition, Abhijit Kishore, Chairman, COAI said, “At India Mobile Congress, we believe that technology makes its deepest impact when it leads to transformation across industries, communities and borders. This belief forms the foundation of our 2025 theme, Innovate to Transform. I think the journey ahead is filled with promise. And I am confident that IMC will remain at the forefront shaping the next chapter of India’s digital revolution.”
