Ericsson and IIT Kanpur Launch National Fintech Hackathon 2026 to Drive Digital Payment Innovation

Empowering India’s fintech talent through technology, collaboration, and creativity

Ericsson India Private Limited, in collaboration with the Foundation for Innovation & Research in Science & Technology (FIRST) at IIT Kanpur, has announced the launch of the National Fintech Hackathon 2026—a first-of-its-kind initiative under Ericsson’s new Fintech Developer Hub. The announcement precedes the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai, where the official signing will take place on October 8, 2025.

The Hackathon aims to accelerate digital payment innovation by inviting India’s most promising startups to develop secure, scalable, and inclusive financial solutions. Through real-world problem statements and expert mentorship, participants will design prototypes that strengthen India’s leadership in digital finance.

IIT Kanpur

Conducted nationwide, the Hackathon will receive extensive support from FIRST, IIT Kanpur, and Ericsson’s Mobile Financial Services (MFS) team. Ericsson MFS will provide mentorship on aspects such as security, interoperability, and scalability, while also serving on the judging panel. The initiative encourages solutions tailored for MSMEs, multilingual interfaces, and diverse connectivity environments, reflecting the real challenges of India’s fintech ecosystem.

The Fintech Developer Hub, Ericsson’s latest platform, offers startups early access to its Fintech Platform APIs, technologies, and mentorship opportunities. This pilot initiative is designed to shorten innovation cycles, strengthen ecosystem collaboration, and nurture the next generation of fintech talent.

Pavan Bachwal, Head of Ericsson Mobile Financial Services, remarked, “This national hackathon is an exciting first step for our Fintech Developer Hub. By merging Ericsson’s technology with the creativity of startups, we’re fostering secure and inclusive digital payment solutions that address real-world challenges.”

Prof. Deepu Philip, Professor-In-Charge, FIRST IIT Kanpur, emphasized the academic partnership, stating, “This collaboration empowers startups to channel creativity into solving key fintech problems while gaining access to mentorship and advanced technology. It perfectly aligns with our mission to foster entrepreneurship and innovation.”

Echoing this sentiment, Anurag Singh, CEO of FIRST IIT Kanpur, added, “The Fintech Hackathon 2026 will be a game-changer for India’s innovation ecosystem, bridging the gap between research, technology, and market-ready solutions.”

The Fintech Hackathon 2026 will run across India next year, aiming to transform innovative ideas into practical fintech solutions, build future-ready talent, and reinforce industry–academia collaboration.

For more information, visit www.ericsson.com.