At TiEcon it's all about making the connection

"There was just as much buzz in the hallways and around the chai tea carts as in the assembly hall. That's where business cards are swapped and deals are sealed - or at least discussed." Check out John Boudreau's Mercury News article on TiEcon 2008 here.

TiEcon 2008 ... the wait is over

Truly INSPIRATION FROM THE FRONTLINES.
I am attending TiEcon from the first time and I am convinced that apart from being world's largest conference for entrepreneurs, it is a knowledge machine and network machine. I feel as if taking dip in holy river Ganga after listening to great great legendary Bill Campbell, chairmain of Intuit. The spark of energy oozes in every sentence he speaks. No wonder he was a football coach.



The Parallel sessions on "Trial and tribulations of starting a company" and "To VC or not to VC" were excellent. It gave a clear idea about what circumstances startups get into and what can the founders do. I had a chance to attend two last sessions of the day today, which I believe were one of the very few inspirational talks I have ever attended in my life. The story of Naresh Goyal, chairman of jet Airways from his days in Punjab, India to this day when Jet Airways operates flights from San Francisco to Mumbai is an excellent example of dreaming big, persistance and utilizing the network of friends. The last session of Robert Swan, the only man who walked both North and South pole was really awe inspiring and touched the heart. Robert cleary and precisely delivers the message that unless we all together work consciously to save the planet from global warming, we will be answerable to coming generations. As he says none of us inherit our time here on earth from our parents, we borrow our time here from our children .

E-Bazaar a VC's perspective- Part 2

Lara Druyan, a top notch VC in silicon valley is a General Partner at Allegis Capital. Lara believes that when a company approaches VCs for funding, it should put itself in VC's shoes and think about what it wants as an investor. VCs get convinced more when they are told about what they get as an investor and not only the product that the company is working on. A VC according to Lara, as an investor wants
1) to focus on BIG markets
2) a good quality team
3) a defensible technology


Concentrating solely on technology in the pitch is not a good idea, she says. In other words, the technology should reach a point where it will be marketable and usable among the end users sooner - it's better to fail early so that you can make adjustments while you still have money. VCs also expect the team to have a highly qualified techie person on the team if the company is about hitech product. It makes more sense if the company is honest upfront about the resources and people they are lacking so that VCs can help fill in holes on the executive team. Knowing what you know or even don't know is of utmost importance, she says. Watch the video -- Neha Dadhbhawala from TiECon Live team interviews Lara Druyan to understand the functional skills VCs looks mostly in entrepreneurs in the E-Bazaar event of TiECon 2008.

TiECon 2008, the world's largest convention for entrepreneurs is being held on 16th and 17th May 2008 at Santa Clara Convention Center in silicon valley. More information on www.tiecon.org

E-Bazaar a VC's perspective- Part 1

Dharmesh Thakker is a Senior Associate with Advanced Technology Ventures based in silicon valley. Dharmesh is intersted in meeting high quality people and professinals and believes that TiE is one of the best platforms that serves this purpose. According to Dharmesh, TiE not only gives Venture Capitalists like him a good opportunity to meet aspiring entrepreneurs but also like minded VCs in the silicon valley with whom he can partner with in funding, growing and mentoring new companies.

Advanced Technology Ventures, according to Dharmesh, can help fund and grow companies that are early or mid stage. Early stage companies mostly have work in developing the technolgy and executing the project. The technical skills and execution ability of the whole team plays a key role in being VC friendly and attracting needed money. Mid size companies are those where the company has already graduated from the technological innovation and is trying to scale up the technology to cater to different and more users. An invincible business development strategy, enviable market positioning and best sales force are very important to pitch the company's growing financial needs, Dharmesh says. Advanced Technology Ventures is among numerous Venture Capital firms participating in the much sought after E-Bazaar event on 16th May during TiECon 2008 at the Santa Clara Convention Center, Silicon Valley.

Are you attending ??

TiECon Success Story

Farzin Shahidi, the CEO of an early stage startup NextPlane during May 2007 was introduced to TiE charter member Sandip Gupta just prior to TiECon 2007. NextPlane signed up for the Entrepreneurs Bazaar, the only event of its kind where over 40 leading Venture Capitalists, Lawyers, Bankers, and other members of the entrepreneurial ecosystem come together to help you take your venture to the next level.


The business plan that NextPlane pitched infront of the prospective investors met with exactly what they desired. The candid perspective on their pitch by the prospective investors helped them shape the business plan that they are marching to with great pride and confidence today. Farzin believes that TiE network has proven more helpful to him than any other entrepreneurial network he got engaged in and that introductions at TiE with executives from different industries is just a beginning of a long time relationship. NextPlane has just closed its Series-A round of investment.

If you already have an early stage startup or if you are planning to start a startup and looking for money, Entrepreneurs Bazaar @ TiECon 2008 is the right place. Meet the top notch Venture Capitalist of silicon valley and convince them about your plan and walk away with loads of money !!

Visit Entrepreneurs Bazaar @ TiECon 2008 on 16th May 2008 at the Santa Clara Convention Center . Register today and get attractive discounts