Entrepreneur Programs at TiEcon 2022

Biz March 31, 2022March 31, 2022 indica

Prakash Narayan-

 

TiEcon is the flagship conference for entrepreneurs hosted by TiE Silicon Valley. It is one of the largest entrepreneur conferences in the world that is run entirely by volunteers. The conference has gone virtual since the start of the pandemic. Last year, it attracted over 30,000 attendees. TiEcon 2022 will remain virtual. This year, the expectation is that the number of attendees will exceed 50,000. The conference attracts attendees from around the globe.

While TiEcon is renowned for its excellent content, a highlight of the conference is the Entrepreneur Programs. This year, the Programs available are:

  1. Startup Bootcamp
  2. VC Connect
  3. MentorConnect
  4. TiE50

A brief description of these four programs is provided below. The programs are structured so that they do not overlap. This will allow entrepreneurs to attend more than one program if they so desire.

  1. Startup Bootcamp

Startup Bootcamp takes place from 7:30 am to 10:30 pm PT on Monday, May 2nd and also from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm PT on Thursday, May 5th.

The Bootcamp is designed to get entrepreneurs ready to raise money and get them ready to talk with investors. This ½ day event is repeated on two days to allow the international audiences to attend (virtually) based on their convenience. The bootcamp is designed to prepare entrepreneurs to fine-tune their business plans and pitch to investors in a way that will grab their attention.

This unique format will allow entrepreneurs to learn from Silicon Valley experts about how to start right. Attendees will work with mentors, seasoned entrepreneurs and local business leaders in a small group setting and gain insights on how to take their business to the next level. The startups will also have an opportunity to pitch to a panel of investors and get feedback from them.

All attendees will receive an e-book about how to start a company and get it funded Silicon Valley-style.

  1. VC Connect

VC Connect takes place on Tuesday, May 3rd at 9:00 am PT and at 1:00 pm PT. VC Connect will be conducted virtually.

The VC Connect program gives entrepreneurs a chance to get feedback directly from seasoned Silicon Valley venture capitalists. These VCs have invested in and helped grow startups from the early stage all the way to exit. Their expertise spans AI, Blockchain, Security, Cloud, Enterprise applications, and more. The VCs this year include Ekta Dang (U First Capital), Ashmeet Sidana (Engineering Capital), Raghu Madabushi (National Grid Partners), Kanwal Rekhi (Inventus Capital), Christina Ku (NTT Docomo), Noor Kamruddin (Clear Ventures), Keira Moon (Translink Capital), Gayatri Radhakrishnan (Micron Tech VC Fund), Ajay Chopra (Trinity Ventures), Sunil Kurkure (Intel Capital), Lu Zhang (Fusion Fund), Ryan Floyd (Storm Ventures), Susan Mason (Aligned Partners), Pourya Moradi (Think+ Ventures), Ching-Yu Hu (Next47), Miraj Sanghvi (DigiTx Partners), Madhu Iyer (Rocketship VC).

The fee to participate in VC Connect is $99 ($79 for TiE members of any TiE chapter). There is a curation process for startups to participate in VC Connect. Once a startup registers, they receive a qualification form which they must submit. The expectation is that the entrepreneurs are working full-time on their startups. Since there are limited seats on the (virtual) table, we request only one founder per startup to participate.

A maximum of 3 entrepreneurs will have a discussion with a VC for 50 minutes. After that, the VCs will be rotated, and the founders will have a second session with a different VC. This allows entrepreneurs to get feedback from 2 investors over nearly 2 hours.

VC Connect registrations must be completed before April 15th. Startups that are eligible will receive their session time and the VCs assigned to them by April 22nd. If a startup does not qualify, their VC Connect fee will be refunded after TiEcon.

  1. MentorConnect

The MentorConnect program offers a structured environment for Mentorship to TiEcon 2022 attendees. It is held over two cohorts on Wednesday, May 4th at 9:00 am and at 1:00 pm PT. Like the rest of TiEcon, MentorConnect will be conducted virtually.

This program is focused on wantrepreneurs and professionals seeking to validate their ideas. Mentees have the opportunity to get mentored, on a near one-on-one basis, with some of the very best in the business. The Mentors include Angel Investors, successful entrepreneurs and Corporate executives. As we all know, hindsight is 20-20. With the right mentor, their hindsight becomes your 20-20. In a sense, these mentors could provide mentees with a “forward view mirror” and offer their perspectives on what to expect ahead.

Here are some testimonials from past attendees:

  • “Loved having genuine, caring Mentors who are here to help you succeed”
  • “My Mentor was able to give valuable suggestions for some of the very issues that my company is facing by sharing his own experience”

To participate in this program, include the MentorConnect Add-on (free for TiE members) during registration for the conference. For those who select the MentorConnect Add-on, they will receive a separate email to select a Mentor of their choice from a cross-section of luminaries.

  1. TiE50

TiE50 is a premier annual awards program keenly contested by thousands of early to mid-stage startups from around the world. Participation in TiE50 provides entrepreneurs significant exposure to VCs, angels, corporate executives and potential customers. Now in its 13th year, the prestigious TiE50 awards recognize the top technology and technology-enabled startups. There are no restrictions placed on any specific technology segment.

There are several other benefits for TiE50 winners:

  • Year-round branding and logo promotion on TiE Silicon Valley and TiEcon websites
  • Annual membership to TiE Silicon Valley chapter for 2 team members ($300 value)
  • Two complimentary passes to TiEcon 2023 ($200 value)
  • Discounted rates for VC Connect and MentorConnect
  • Six months access to Zendesk Suite and Zendesk Sales CRM at no cost
  • Select group of TiE50 winners will be invited to participate in Dell for Startups pitch competition. This presents the opportunity to $500k in cash and tech prizes
  • The top TiE50 winners will get the chance to audition live for the “Meet the Drapers” show during TiEcon

As mentioned earlier, registration for TiEcon is free for all TiE members (any chapter). If you are not a member (select the non-member option during registration), use the code “INDICA” to get a complimentary ticket to the conference.

In addition, there is a limited number of discounts available for the Entrepreneur programs. TiE members can register for free for MentorConnect. Non-members can use the code “ASHAJADEJA” to get a free registration to the MentorConnect add-on. You need to hurry up. These will go on a first-come, first-serve basis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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