Kanpur/Mumbai, October 7, 2025: Ericsson India Private Limited, in collaboration with the Foundation for Innovation & Research in Science & Technology (FIRST), Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur), announced the launch of the National Fintech Hackathon 2026 — a landmark initiative aimed at accelerating innovation in secure and inclusive digital payment technologies across India.

This marks the first major initiative under Ericsson’s newly launched Fintech Developer Hub, envisioned to empower innovators, developers, and startups to build scalable fintech solutions addressing challenges of security, interoperability, and accessibility within the digital payments ecosystem.

Through this collaboration, Ericsson and FIRST, IIT Kanpur bring together global industry expertise and academic excellence to strengthen India’s position as a global leader in financial technology and digital innovation.

National Fintech Hackathon 2026: Driving Secure, Scalable, and Inclusive Innovation

The Hackathon will be conducted nationwide in 2026 by Ericsson India Private Limited with support from FIRST, IIT Kanpur. Participants will have the opportunity to access Ericsson’s APIs, mentorship from global domain experts, and real-world problem statements focused on enhancing digital payment security and user experience.

The program aims to nurture India’s next generation of fintech innovators through mentorship, industry engagement, and exposure to cutting-edge technologies. It will focus on solutions that enhance security, inclusivity, and scalability, especially for MSMEs, multilingual interfaces, and low-connectivity environments, ensuring financial access for all segments of society.

A New Platform for Developer Innovation

The Fintech Developer Hub, launched by Ericsson’s Mobile Financial Services (MFS) division, provides startups and developers with access to technology tools, APIs, and expert guidance to accelerate fintech solution development. The initiative adopts a phased, collaborative approach, enabling innovators to prototype, test, and scale impactful solutions addressing real-world challenges in the digital payments domain.

By partnering with FIRST, IIT Kanpur, Ericsson underscores India’s growing influence in shaping the global digital economy and its leadership in advancing secure, intelligent, and inclusive financial ecosystems.

Mr. Pavan Bachwal, Head of Ericsson Mobile Financial Services, 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.”

Prof. Deepu Philip, Professor-in-Charge, FIRST, IIT Kanpur, said:
“At FIRST, IIT Kanpur, our mission is to nurture innovation and empower entrepreneurs to address real-world challenges. Partnering with Ericsson for the Fintech Hackathon 2026 creates a unique platform for startups and young innovators to channel their creativity into solving critical fintech problems. This collaboration offers mentorship, industry insights, and access to advanced technology, enabling participants to build scalable and inclusive digital payment solutions. It aligns perfectly with our vision of fostering startups and advancing India’s fintech talent ecosystem.”

Mr. Anurag Singh, CEO, FIRST, IIT Kanpur, added: “The Fintech Hackathon 2026 will be a game-changer for India’s innovation ecosystem. By partnering with Ericsson, we are providing startups and innovators with a unique opportunity to solve real-world problems while gaining industry mentorship and exposure to cutting-edge technology. This initiative reflects our commitment at FIRST IIT Kanpur to bridge the gap between research, innovation, and market-ready solutions, strengthening India’s leadership in fintech.”

About the Fintech Hackathon 2026

The National Fintech Hackathon 2026 is a collaborative initiative between Ericsson India Private Limited and FIRST, IIT Kanpur, designed to catalyze fintech innovation and entrepreneurship across India. The Hackathon aims to convert promising fintech concepts into testable prototypes, strengthen developer capacity, and foster deep collaboration between academia and industry.

About Ericsson

Ericsson’s high-performing, programmable networks provide connectivity for billions of people every day. For nearly 150 years, the company has pioneered communication technology, offering cutting-edge mobile and connectivity solutions for service providers and enterprises. Together with its customers and partners, Ericsson is building the digital world of tomorrow.

About SIIC, IIT Kanpur

Established in 2000, the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) at IIT Kanpur is one of India’s oldest and most distinguished technology business incubators. Currently nurturing over 100 startups, SIIC provides comprehensive support in diverse domains including defense, aerospace, fintech, healthcare, and sustainability. SIIC operates under the Foundation for Innovation & Research in Science & Technology (FIRST), a Section-8 company promoted by IIT Kanpur.

About IIT Kanpur

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, established in 1959, holds the distinction of being recognized as an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India through an Act of Parliament. Renowned for its excellence in science and engineering education, IIT Kanpur has made significant contributions to research and development over the decades. Its expansive, lush green campus spans 1,050 acres and hosts a rich array of academic and research resources. The institute comprises 19 departments, 20 centers, three interdisciplinary programs, and three specialized schools across engineering, science, design, humanities, and management disciplines. With over 590 full-time faculty members and more than 9,500 students, IIT Kanpur remains a leader in fostering innovation and academic rigor.

For more information, please visit www.iitk.ac.in.