TiE to focus on Tier-II cities

The Hyderabad chapter of TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs), a global-not-for-profit organisation focused on promoting entrepreneurship, is planning to take its startup-investor connect initiatives to Tier-II cities like Visakhapatnam [ Images ], Vijayawada and Tirupati from next year.

"We are looking at holding around 46 'speed-dating-style' quarterly events to connect startups with mentors and investors in Tier-II cities from next year. We will be preparing a schedule for the same by December," Murali Bukkapatnam, incoming president of TiE-Hyderabad, told media.

TiE Hyderabad, in association with the Indian School of Business, is organising the sixth edition of TiE-ISB Connect 2012, touted as the country's largest networking forum that brings entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and academicians together, in the city from November 22.

"The three-day event will see the participation of 40 investors and leading venture capital firms like Sequoia, Mumbai [ Images ] Angels, IDG Venture, Ventureast and Nexus Ventures, of which 25 investors will be sitting on various panels," he added.

The TiE-ISB Connect 2012 will have VC and Mentor Connects, through which startups can meet investors and mentors.

It will also have Jumstart, a workshop where successful entrepreneurs and early-stage investors would guide delegates for starting or running a business enterprise.

The event will also have BizQuest, where a jury of investors will evaluate around 150 small and growth companies, and award Rs 1 crore (Rs 10 million) investment to a winning startup company.