TiE Silicon Valley was proud to host a special Book Launch & Fireside Chat with Kanwal Rekhi, TiE Co-Founder and one of Silicon Valley’s most influential pioneers — a visionary who helped build the global TiE movement.
Entrepreneur, investor, mentor, and thought leader, Rekhi is the author of the newly released book The Groundbreaker: Entrepreneurship, the American Dream, and the Rise of Modern India, a powerful memoir that traces his journey from humble beginnings in India to becoming a trailblazer in Silicon Valley.
Rekhi is widely recognized as the first Indian-American founder and CEO to take a company public on NASDAQ, breaking barriers for immigrant entrepreneurs and paving the way for generations of founders who followed.
Most notably, he co-founded The IndUS Entrepreneurs (TiE), which has grown into one of the world’s largest global networks of entrepreneurs, mentors, and investors, supporting innovation across 60+ chapters worldwide.
A Special Fireside Chat
The evening featured an engaging fireside conversation between Kanwal Rekhi and Vish Mishra, offering a rare opportunity to hear firsthand stories from the early days of Silicon Valley and the founding of TiE.
Together, they reflected on the origins of TiE, the rise of Indian entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley, and the journey that helped shape a global entrepreneurial community.
Their conversation highlighted:
• The early days of Silicon Valley and the immigrant founder experience
• The founding vision behind TiE and its growth into a global movement
• Personal stories and defining moments from Rekhi’s entrepreneurial journey
• Lessons and inspiration for the next generation of founders
Rekhi’s Legacy of Impact
• Trailblazing Entrepreneur – The first Indo-American CEO to take a company public on a U.S. stock exchange.
• Co-Founder of TiE – Helped build TiE into a global community mentoring thousands of founders worldwide.
• Bridge Between the U.S. and India – Played a key role in strengthening technology and policy ties between the two countries, including contributions to India’s telecom policy and the U.S.–India nuclear cooperation framework.
• Thought Leader – Has advised institutions such as the RAND Corporation and the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research on technology, policy, and economic policy issues.
About the Book
In The Groundbreaker, Rekhi shares his remarkable story — from growing up in a modest home in India to becoming one of Silicon Valley’s most influential entrepreneurs and mentors.
The book chronicles his journey as one of the earliest Indian-origin entrepreneurs helping shape Silicon Valley while also inspiring and supporting the rise of India’s modern startup ecosystem.
As Eric Schmidt writes:
“Immigrants like Kanwal have shaped the DNA of Silicon Valley, and this book provides a firsthand account of how that transformation took place.”
The book also features a foreword by Congressman Ro Khanna.
]]>TiE Silicon Valley hosted its February Mentor Connect session on February 27, featuring Vinita Paunikar, former Senior Vice President of Engineering at Oracle America and recognized by Business Insider as one of the “26 Most Powerful Female Engineers in the U.S.”
Six founders joined Vinita for focused 1:1 mentorship sessions, exploring challenges and opportunities around product strategy, AI transformation, SaaS platforms, and scaling enterprise-grade technology. The discussions provided founders with practical guidance on building resilient product roadmaps, strengthening technical infrastructure, and aligning innovation with real customer value.
With leadership experience spanning Oracle, VMware, Microsoft, and Sybase, Vinita brought a powerful combination of deep engineering expertise and enterprise-scale product leadership. Founders benefited from her insights on translating customer needs into impactful product strategies, building high-performing teams, and leveraging AI/ML to drive operational efficiency and long-term growth.
The conversations were candid and highly tactical, helping founders pressure-test assumptions, prioritize next steps, and think more strategically about how to scale their ventures in competitive technology markets.
Participating Founders
- Anant Misra, Co-Founder & CEO, Easentic Inc
- Ben Goswami, CEO, Nurona
- Mohinder Sikka, Founder & CEO, Sens AI Platforms, Inc
- Raju Shreewastava, CEO, Big Data Trunk
- Sachin Saswade, Co-Founder & CEO, Turiya AI
- Zulma Y. Terrones, Founder & CEO, Align by Life Stages
Mentor Connect continues to provide founders with direct access to experienced leaders who have built and scaled complex technology organizations. Each session is designed to deliver practical feedback, real-world perspective, and actionable insights that help founders move forward with clarity and confidence.
The February edition of TiE Silicon Valley Angels Office Hours brought together a group of promising early-stage founders for focused 1:1 conversations with seasoned entrepreneur and investor Anand Jagannathan.
Held at the TiE Silicon Valley office in Palo Alto, the session gave founders the opportunity to receive candid feedback on their fundraising readiness, product positioning, and growth strategy — the kind of practical insights that only come from someone who has built and backed multiple successful companies.
Learning from a Serial Founder and Angel
Anand Jagannathan is a serial entrepreneur and angel investor who has founded five companies, including two that went public — Banyan Systems and Responsys. With decades of experience as both an operator and investor, he brought a sharp perspective on what early-stage startups need to demonstrate to attract serious investor interest.
During the session, seven selected founders participated in 20-minute one-on-one meetings, where they presented their ventures, discussed challenges, and received direct, actionable feedback.
Strong Founder Momentum
The conversations sparked strong interest from the TiE network.
- 4 startups were invited to apply to TiE Angels Silicon Valley, the investment arm of TiE Silicon Valley.
- 5 startups were encouraged to apply to TiE50, the premier global startup awards program held annually at TiEcon.
These invitations reflect the strength of the founders participating in the session and the value of direct engagement with experienced angel investors.
Participating Founders
The February cohort included founders from diverse industries spanning AI, research, workforce technology, and service platforms:
- Brett Waikart, Co-Founder & CEO, Skillfully
- Darrell Young, Founder & CEO, KARMEQ
- Deepak Deolalikar, Co-Founder, ZiplyAI
- Parijat Bhatnagar, Founder & CEO, Tribe Research
- Shailesh Phansalkar, Co-Founder, Honge AI Inc
- Suresh Gurunathan, CEO and Co-Founder, Synkopi inc.
- Venkatesh Ragala, Founder & CEO, InstaService
Building Founder–Investor Connections
Programs like TiE Silicon Valley Angels Office Hours are designed to create meaningful, early connections between founders and investors — giving entrepreneurs the opportunity to test their narrative, refine their strategy, and understand how investors evaluate opportunities.
For many founders, these sessions become the first step toward deeper engagement with the TiE Silicon Valley ecosystem — from mentorship to investor introductions and global exposure through programs like TiE50.
As TiE Silicon Valley continues to expand opportunities for founders, Angels Office Hours remain a powerful entry point for startups looking to connect with experienced operators and investors in the heart of Silicon Valley. 
6 Startups. 1 Investor. Focused 1:1 Fundraising Conversations.
In February 2026, TiE Silicon Valley hosted Funding Fridays, bringing together six high-potential startups for exclusive 1:1 meetings with Krishna Mehra, AI Partner at Elevation Capital, during Funding Fridays.
Each participating startup engaged in structured, investor-grade conversations aimed at refining their fundraising narrative, pressure-testing strategy, and gaining clarity on growth, positioning, and capital readiness.
Participating Founders
Abhishek Mohanty, Founder & CEO, Common Porch by CareflickAvi Harsh, Co-Founder & CEO, Wizerr AI Uday Kiran Chaka, Founder & CEO, Sentry AI Pianpian Guthrie, Founder & CEO, Amotions AI Samir Mukherjee, Founder, Kashvisor Avinash Gujje, Founder & CEO, ZUUZ
These high-impact 1:1 meetings help startups strengthen their pitch, sharpen positioning, and better understand what investors look for when evaluating scalable, category-defining companies. Beyond feedback, the sessions offer founders a strategic perspective and actionable insights to move forward with greater clarity and confidence.
Hear what the startups have to share about Funding Fridays:
February 12, 2026 — the countdown to TiEcon 2026 officially began.
The TiEcon 2026 Kickoff brought together Charter Members, CXOs, volunteers, and community builders ready to put in the work to make TiE’s flagship conference another game-changer.
TiEcon 2026: AI & You — Human Centered, AI Powered
April 29–May 1, 2026
TiEcon 2026 is shaping up to be our most ambitious conference yet. This year’s theme explores how intelligence, creativity, and innovation are blending to reinvent how we live, work, and lead. This isn’t about technology replacing people. It’s about amplifying what makes us human: our ability to solve problems, build relationships, and create breakthrough value.
With 11 cutting-edge tracks spanning the frontiers of innovation, we’re creating the ultimate convergence point for founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders from around the world.
The Tracks:
- Applied AI — Where AI meets real-world impact
- Cybersecurity — Protecting the digital frontier
- AI Infrastructure — The backbone of modern infrastructure
- Global Trade & Education — Breaking down borders, building opportunities
- Go-To-Market — From product to profit
- Healthcare & Lifesciences — Innovation that saves lives
- Media & Entertainment — The future of storytelling and engagement
- Quantum — Computing’s next revolution
- Responsible AI — Building ethical, equitable tech
- Semiconductor — Powering the next generation
- Space Tech — Taking entrepreneurship beyond Earth
Programs That Connect Founders to Capital and Community
TiEcon isn’t just about content; it’s about connection. The programs launching at TiEcon 2026 are designed to accelerate startups at every stage, from first pitch to funding round.
Mentor Connect — Pairing entrepreneurs with experienced advisors who’ve been there
She Pitches, She Wins — Empowering women founders to secure capital and build networks
Startup Bootcamp — Intensive training for founders ready to scale
TiE50 — Showcasing the world’s most promising early-stage companies
VC Connect — Direct access to the investors who can fuel your growth
These programs have consistently delivered results, from seed rounds to Series A, from product-market fit to global expansion. TiEcon 2026 will once again be the launchpad where ambitious dreamers meet funding wizards and powerhouse corporations.
Building the Conference, One Volunteer at a Time
TiEcon takes hundreds of people working behind the scenes, coordinating speakers, managing logistics, creating experiences, and ensuring every attendee walks away with something valuable.
That’s why the volunteer kickoff was so important. From returning TiEcon veterans to first-time volunteers, everyone in the room understood the mission: create an event that empowers entrepreneurs and creates connections that transform industries.
Whether you’re coordinating keynote speakers, managing attendee experience, supporting program execution, or handling event operations, every role is essential. Every contribution matters.
The deadline to sign up is February 16, and we need this community to show up strong.
Why This Matters
TiE Silicon Valley has empowered 25,000 entrepreneurs and created 2 million jobs worldwide. TiEcon is where that impact accelerates.
Every year, founders come to TiEcon looking for their next breakthrough – the investor who believes in their vision, the mentor who unlocks their strategy, the partnership that changes everything. And every year, this community delivers.
TiEcon 2025 welcomed over 3,000 attendees and featured powerhouse keynotes from leaders like Satya Nadella (Microsoft), Lip-Bu Tan (Intel), and Shantanu Narayen (Adobe). The bar is high. The momentum is real. And 2026 is going to raise it even higher.
Looking Ahead: A Community That Shows Up
The kickoff reminded us of what makes TiE Silicon Valley different: this community actually shows up.
We show up for founders who are still figuring it out. We show up for entrepreneurs who are scaling fast and need the right connections. We show up for students launching their first ventures and CXOs building their next big thing.
And when April 29 rolls around, we’ll show up again, this time with thousands of entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, and ecosystem builders ready to push innovation forward.
Get Involved
Volunteer Registration Deadline: February 16
Sign up here
TiEcon 2026: April 29–May 1, 2026
Learn more: https://tiecon.org
This is just the beginning. Let’s build something extraordinary together.
For more information about TiE Silicon Valley programs, membership, or partnerships, visit tiesv.ai or contact us at [email protected]
TiE Silicon Valley kicked off the year with a focused and high-impact Mentor Connect session on February 6, featuring Anita Manwani — President & Board Chair, TiE Silicon Valley.
Four healthcare founders joined Anita for 1:1 sessions centered on building, scaling, and navigating the unique realities of HealthTech entrepreneurship. From refining business models and clarifying go-to-market strategies to understanding regulatory pathways and investor positioning, the conversations went deep — fast.
As a serial entrepreneur who has successfully exited two HealthTech companies and served on multiple boards, Anita brought real-world perspective to the table. She challenged assumptions, highlighted blind spots, and shared candid insights on what it actually takes to move from innovation to sustainable impact in healthcare.
The session was especially valuable for founders balancing technical innovation with commercialization complexity — a common tension in HealthTech. Anita’s guidance helped participants think more strategically about partnerships, capital strategy, and long-term scalability.
Participating Founders
- Amrish Walke, Founder, DeCode Bone LLC
- Moh Noori, Founder & CEO, ScriptChain Health
- Nidhi Pai, Founder & CEO, ZERObrush
- Sachin Shah, Founder & CEO, Pill Clarity, Inc.
Mentor Connect continues to provide founders with direct access to leaders who’ve built, exited, invested, and led at the highest levels. This session set the tone for the year: practical, honest, and focused on execution.
If you’re building in HealthTech and want real feedback from those who’ve done it before, stay tuned for our upcoming Mentor Connect sessions.
10 Startups. 2 Venture Capitalists. Focused 1:1 Fundraising Conversations.
In January 2026, TiE Silicon Valley hosted Funding Fridays, bringing together ten high-potential startups for exclusive 1:1 meetings with venture capitalists Arun Ramamoorthy, Founding Partner at Z5 Capital, and Anjali Arora, Managing Director at Techne Infiniti Ventures,
Each participating startup engaged in structured, investor-grade conversations aimed at refining their fundraising narrative, pressure-testing strategy, and gaining clarity on growth and capital readiness.
Participating Founders
Brijesh Dutta, Founder & CEO, Nestingale, Inc. Muthu Krishnan, Founder & CEO, Kencor Health, Inc. Sachin Saswade, Founder & CEO, Turiya AI Sarvesh Bhardwaj, PhD, MBA, Founder & CEO, Magna Education AI Shital Tripathi, Founder & CEO, Pari Biosciences Inc. Srinivas Mantripragada, Founder, MaayaAI, Inc. Uday Kiran Chaka, Founder, Sentry AI Vatsal B., Founder & CEO, Jabali vignesh ravichandran, Founder, MyClone Vinh Nguyen, CEO, eVinh Inc.
These high-impact 1:1 meetings help startups strengthen their pitch, sharpen positioning, and better understand what investors look for when evaluating scalable, category-defining companies. Beyond feedback, the sessions offer founders strategic perspective and actionable insights to move forward with greater clarity and confidence.
Hear what the startups have to share about Funding Fridays:
TiE Silicon Valley recently hosted a special community screening of Humans in the Loop, a powerful and timely film that examines the often unseen human labor behind artificial intelligence—and the ethical and global inequities embedded within modern AI systems. Aranya Sahay, Writer and Director of Humans in the Loop, joined the screening for a post-film discussion on AI, ethics, and human impact.
The event brought together Charter Members, CXOs, and General Members of the TiE Silicon Valley community for an engaging evening of dialogue, reflection, and connection. The discussion highlighted the need for thoughtful, responsible innovation—reinforcing TiE Silicon Valley’s commitment to fostering conversations that place people at the heart of technology.
The January edition of TiE Silicon Valley Angels Office Hours brought six founders for focused 1:1 conversations with Sandeep Kishore, Founder & CEO of Agivant Technologies and a veteran technology leader, CEO, and board advisor with decades of experience scaling global tech businesses.
Throughout the session, founders pitched their companies, pressure-tested their strategy, and received candid feedback on positioning, traction, and fundraising readiness. The conversations were tactical and grounded — giving founders a clearer view of what experienced angels evaluate at the early stage and what it takes to move toward investability.
By the end of the program, three founders were invited to formally apply to TiE Silicon Valley Angels for potential investment consideration and deeper review through the screening process. The remaining founders left with pointed next steps, including validation milestones and strategic adjustments to strengthen their pitch before raising capital.
TiE Angels Office Hours continues to be a high-signal entry point for early-stage founders seeking real investor insight and a realistic path toward angel engagement. The program runs monthly and will continue connecting founders with seasoned operators, CEOs, and angel investors committed to supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs.
TiE Silicon Valley Angels Office Hours | Featuring Sandeep Kishore
Founder Spotlight: Ben Goswami, Co-Founder of Neurona
Founder Spotlight: Akon Dey, CEO & Co-Founder of Predictable Labs
Founder Spotlight: Ram Vemuri, Founder of Mercati
TiE Silicon Valley closed out the year with a high-impact December Mentor Connect session featuring Bala Kasiviswanathan, Executive Advisor for Product, AI, and Customer Experience, and former Chief Product Officer at Simpplr and Tidal | X (formerly Google X), as well as Director of Product Management at Google Cloud.
Six founders joined Bala for focused 1:1 conversations centered on product strategy, AI-driven innovation, and building customer experiences that scale beyond early traction. Across the sessions, founders explored how to sharpen product vision, validate 0→1 and 1→N roadmaps, strengthen product-market fit loops, and better align product, engineering, and go-to-market teams around clear outcomes.
Bala brought a rare blend of big-tech rigor and startup pragmatism, helping founders pressure-test assumptions, simplify complex product decisions, and prioritize what truly moves the business forward. The discussions were candid, tactical, and deeply grounded in real operating experience.
By the end of the session, each founder walked away with clearer direction, concrete next steps, and renewed confidence in how to build products that customers actually adopt and love.
Mentor Connect continues to deliver what founders value most: direct access, honest feedback, and practical guidance from leaders who’ve built and scaled products at the highest level.
Stay tuned for upcoming Mentor Connect sessions in the new year.
Founder Spotlight: Anu Shultes, CEO of DashAI
Founder Spotlight : Dhruv Gupta, Founder, Sleep Analytics
Founder Spotlight: Visha Chadha, Founder, Stealth Mode Startup
Founder Spotlight: Uday Kiran Chaka, Founder & CEO, Sentry AI