India Currents gave me a voice in days I was very lost. Having my articles selected for publishing was very validating – Shailaja Dixit, Executive Director, Narika, Fremont
TiEcon 2012, marks its 18th year as “The World’s Largest Conference for Entrepreneurs” and has been convening since 1994. This annual meet serves to facilitate the networking of entrepreneurial eco-system, not only in the Silicon Valley, but also globally. The conference, that spans two days, includes panels that address topics which are current and relevant to entrepreneurs.
TiEcon is organized by The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), which celebrates two decades since its inception in 1992 and is inclusive of all demographics. TiE is also an acronym for Talent, Ideas and Enterprise. This certainly describes the attributes of the populace that its annual conference attracts, which made Silicon Valley a thriving hot-bed of industry and has bred successful entrepreneurs with vision and passion.
TiEcon provides a meeting ground for entrepreneurs and professionals, who get an opportunity to network, forge ties (pun unintended) with other like-minded individuals and are exposed to the growing trends in businesses.
“TiE’s charter is to foster entrepreneurship”, says R. Paul Singh, Marketing Chair for TiEcon 2012 and a TiE Board Member. “Entrepreneurship and innovation are really complementary. We hope to create that spark and with some great keynotes, inspire the entrepreneur in everyone to innovate.”
Keynote speakers are luminaries selected by TiE’s Keynote Committee, for not only being innovative but also inspirational and out-of the box thinkers with a recognized name. Eminent and august, each is an icon in his own industry with a list of accomplishments so great that it is humbling.
Here is a list of keynote speakers slated to speak at this year’s conference.
• Sam Pitroda: An inventor, thinker, policy-maker, Pitroda is currently Adviser to the Prime Minister of India on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovations, charged with the task of providing a plan for creating digital infrastructure in India. He is also the Chairman of the National Innovation Council (NInC) which is working on several initiatives to boost innovation performance in the country.
• Deepak Chopra: As the founder of the Chopra Foundation, Senior Scientist in The Gallup Organization and author of New York Times best-sellers, Deepak Chopra needs no introduction. This spiritual guru’s contributions to mind-body medicine have gained him national and international fame. He has authored over sixty books, 19 of which are on the New York Times bestsellers list.
• Anant Agarwal: Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at M.I.T., Director of the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), Guinness World Record holder for the largest microphone array based on Raw, his accomplishments do not end there. He is also founder of Tilera Corporation, Virtual Machine Works and author of the textbook “Foundations of Analog and Digital Electronic Circuits”.
•Carlos Dominguez: In his talk at TiEcon, “New World, New Rules – Surviving, Leading & Thriving in Our New World,” Senior Vice President at Cisco and publisher of The Tech Nowist Daily, Carlos Dominguez will examine how we can leverage the present while preparing for the future and share survival tips for all entrepreneurs.
This year, TiEcon will also have breakthrough thinkers in addition to the keynote speakers. Jai Rawat, charter member and Convener of TiEcon explains, “Breakthrough thinkers are meant to jolt the audience out of their comfort-zone. They talk about research work that may sound like science fiction but is actually being carried out.”
In addition to talks by these stellar speakers, TiEcon has panels which will focus on emerging trends and issues that are relevant to today’s market and has set up tracks for addressing hot topics such as Cloud, Mobile, Social Media, Life Sciences/Healthcare and Energy and Cleantech.
When asked if TiE has added anything new to this year’s conference, Kiran Malhotra, Executive Director at TiE, says, “We will have a TiE Student Track for the next generation of entrepreneurs. In the last three years we added many new things which we are perfecting this year, such as TiE50, Mentor Connect, Startup Connect, and the TiEcon Innovation Expo which will feature over 120 companies showcasing their latest and greatest technologies and products.”
Track will examine what it takes to be an entrepreneur, to how to create a micro- and multi-national and build leadership teams which are crucial to the success of start-ups and the Women’s Forum Panel will address the challenges faced by women as entrepreneurs.
“TiEcon always strives to be inspirational, relevant and forward–looking,” says Vish Mishra, current President of TiE. “We believe that TiEcon is the only conference in the world to inspire, educate, prepare and fund the entrepreneurs in opportunity areas.”
Friday, May 18 and Saturday, May 19. 2-day pass $295 (members), $395 (non-members) Santa Clara Convention Center, 5101 Great America Pkwy,. Santa Clara www.tiecon.org.