Six startups have been crowned winners of the 5G Innovation Hackathon 2026 at the 10th India Mobile Congress in New Delhi, capping a nationwide innovation challenge launched by Ericsson India. Torchit, Skye Air Mobility and scanO emerged as the primary winners, while Okulo Aerospace, Proxgy and KissanAI were named runners-up.
The challenge invited startups, researchers, academic institutions and independent innovators to build practical solutions using 5G, artificial intelligence, cloud and IoT across five focus areas: rural technology and digital inclusion, healthcare access and diagnostics, climate and environmental sustainability, agricultural productivity and food security, and advanced manufacturing. Around 800 applications were whittled to a 20-team shortlist through a three-stage evaluation, with a jury of telecom industry leaders and government representatives picking the final six.
The winners sketch where deep-tech innovation is clustering in India. Torchit builds assistive technology for people with visual impairment, Skye Air Mobility works on drone delivery where low-latency connectivity enables safer operations, and scanO uses AI to screen oral health from smartphone photos. The runners-up span aerospace, connected IoT wearables and AI tools for Indian farmers.
The awards were presented during the 10th India Mobile Congress, held from 7 to 10 October 2026 at Yashobhoomi in Dwarka, New Delhi. The flagship event, organised by the Department of Telecommunications with the Cellular Operators Association of India, drew 500+ startups, 900+ speakers and 120+ sessions across 5G/6G, semiconductors, cybersecurity and quantum communications. In his address, Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said India's technology rise was being driven by young innovators, adding that the true value lay in intellectual property. Netprompt AI took Most Innovative Startup Display of the year.
Why it matters for founders
National, jury-evaluated challenges like the 5G Innovation Hackathon are a genuine discovery channel: 800 teams entered, six walked out with industry and government recognition. For deep-tech and applied-AI founders in healthcare, agri and accessibility, these platforms convert technical work into credibility faster than a funding round — and the focus areas signal where buyers and policymakers want 5G, AI and IoT solutions most.