The India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2024 was held at Pragati Maidan from October 15-18. It showcased more than 900 startups under the Aspire program and the event emphasized one undeniable fact that India is on the verge of strengthening its position as a global leader in technology, media as well as telecom innovation. The IMC 2024 also highlighted something more important.
The Aspire program was a platform for startups to pitch their ideas. It became a breeding ground for innovation and enabled entrepreneurs to connect with investors. It enabled the startups to engage with global tech leaders and absorb critical insights from industry veterans. Government involvement too was witnessed in supporting startups at the grassroots level in this year’s IMC. Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with breakthrough startups like Signalchip, Astrome and Wisig Networks.
The true value of IMC 2024 lay in the conversations that happened off the stage. The fireside chat between Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani and Ramakrishna P., CEO of IMC, talked that entrepreneurship is not for the faint-hearted. The words about understanding human problems and embracing failure struck a chord. Many successful startups in the country are built on grit and perseverance. The glitzy displays of cutting-edge tech innovations are awe-inspiring. It is the unglamorous reality of enduring setbacks that defines success.
The partnerships forged at IMC 2024 were Telecom Centres of Excellence India and the LEAP AHEAD initiative. Programs like LEAP AHEAD are proof that the next wave of innovation won’t just come from the major cities.
The sheer scale of investor engagement also made IMC 2024 significant. More than 500 one-on-one meetings between startups and investors revealed a clear hunger to find the next big idea. Angel Tours and masterclasses such as Ankur Warikoo’s “From Idea to IPO” provided aspiring entrepreneurs with more than just theory.
