Ericsson Names Winners of Startup Innovation Challenge for 5G and AI Solutions

Telecommunications and network infrastructure company Ericsson has unveiled the winners of its flagship startup competition, the Ericsson Innovation Challenge, at the India Mobile Congress 2026. The challenge, launched earlier this year, aimed to identify solutions leveraging 5G, AI, and emerging connectivity technologies to tackle real-world issues across various sectors.

The competition evaluated startup innovations focusing on developing 5G solutions with measurable societal impact. Key assessment criteria included potential societal impact, innovation level, scalability, and sustainability. Ericsson India's Managing Director, Nitin Bansal, noted that the winning innovations demonstrate how current networks can serve as a platform for future developments.

Among the winners was Torchit, developing affordable devices and AI solutions for people with disabilities, including mobility aid Saarthi and Jyoti AI smart glasses. Skye Air Mobility utilizes autonomous drones for last-mile deliveries, supported by an unmanned traffic management system. scanO offers automated dental screening using AI, and Okulo Aerospace builds solar-electric UAVs for surveillance and data collection.

Other recognized startups included Proxgy, which develops industrial IoT hardware and safety products to enhance workplace safety, and KissanAI, creating agriculture-specific AI models and systems to provide advisory services to farmers.