New Delhi: Ericsson India Private Limited, in collaboration with the Foundation for Innovation & Research in Science & Technology (FIRST), IIT Kanpur, has announced the launch of the National Fintech Hackathon 2026, the first initiative under Ericsson’s newly established Fintech Developer Hub.
The announcement precedes the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai from 7-9 October, with the official signing ceremony scheduled for 8 October. The Hackathon aims to empower startups across India to develop secure, scalable and inclusive digital payment solutions that address real-world challenges.
This nationwide initiative will be conducted by Ericsson India with support from FIRST, IIT Kanpur. Ericsson Mobile Financial Services (MFS) will provide real-world problem statements, mentorship on security, scalability and interoperability, as well as participate in judging.
The participants will gain access to expert guidance from Ericsson specialists to develop prototypes catering to India’s diverse fintech ecosystem. The competition will encourage solutions for MSMEs, multilingual users, and varying connectivity environments.
The Fintech Developer Hub, launched as a pilot, gives developers and startups early access to Ericsson’s Fintech Platform APIs, technology and mentorship.
Pavan Bachwal, Head of Ericsson MFS, said: “The launch of this national Hackathon with SIIC, IIT Kanpur is an exciting first step for our new Fintech Developer Hub. We are combining Ericsson’s technology with the creativity of startups to develop solutions for real-world digital payment challenges.”
“Our goal is to give the next generation of innovators the tools and support they need to excel, while shaping secure and inclusive financial services for the future,” he noted
The Fintech Hackathon will take place across the country throughout 2026, fostering collaboration between industry and academia and transforming promising ideas into testable prototypes.
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