|
General Questions
TiE Chapters
Starting a Chapter
Membership
Programs and Activities
Volunteers
Sponsors
General Questions
What does TiE stand for?
TiE's primary goal is to build eco-systems where entrepreneurship thrives. In terms of its origin, TiE stands for 'The Indus Entrepreneurs', reflecting the ethnic background of the individuals who chartered the organization in 1992. But over period, TiE has come to stand for 'Talent, ideas and Enterprise'. Its principle objective is to provide a platform on which people with entrepreneurial spirit and all others interested in economic value creation can come together to share their ideas. TiE has now grown to become a global not-for-profit organization, which is inclusive and transparent in its governance and operations.
How is TiE governed?
Each established TiE chapter is governed by elected President and a Board of Directors, with broad guidelines and prescribed by laws. Globally, a Board of Trustees (BOT), headed by a Chairperson, constitutes the governing body of TiE. The chapter Presidents from amongst the worldwide list of Charter Members elect the Trustees. The by laws, strategies and oversight and support of the chapters are the primary responsibilities of the BOT.
How and when was TiE started?
The concept of TiE was born at the end of 1992 at a lunch meeting of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and professionals. Initially this small group of individuals launched monthly activities, which, in turn, attracted more members. By 1994, TiE had become a formal organization with a larger group of members and participants. TiE remains a unique volunteer organization, with the single-minded focus on its objective of advancing all aspects of entrepreneurship and professionalism.
How is TiE financially supported?
Local membership dues are the basic source of funding for the TiE chapters. Admission fees support expenses incurred with various events. At established chapters, such as Silicon Valley, sponsors and their financial contributions also play a very significant role.
What is TiE's philosophical base?
TiE´s philosophical base is a compatible blend of the Silicon Valley culture of economic value creation through Entrepreneurship, and the ancient South Asian tradition of (Guru/Shishya or Ustad/Shagird) or Teacher/Disciple relationship. This enables very productive networking and mentoring relationships among and between experienced and budding entrepreneurs through the two-way exchange of value in experience and knowledge.
Is TiE membership open to all?
Yes, TiE welcomes everyone who shares its objectives and philosophies to join its membership and activities at a chapter nearest to them. TiE Charter Membership is by invitation, based on one's accomplishments as a professional, entrepreneur, professional service provider, academic or other members of the economic ecosystem. Such invitations are extended regardless of one's ethnic or national identity.
Does TiE have any religious or political objectives?
No! TiE does not engage in political or religious activities, which tend to divide people. TiE is an inclusive organization for the benefit of all persons who subscribe to its objectives.
Is TiE a venture/investment organization?
No! TiE is not a venture/investments organization. However, TiE members, through their network relationships, often invest in companies with TiE affiliations. TiE also does not endorse any investments, even though companies may be presented at TiE events.
In addition to the impressive membership numbers in thousands, what are TiE's other accomplishments?
It is our estimate that those associated with TiE have created businesses with market value over $200 Billion since 1992. With TiE´s continued growth we are confident that this figure will continue to increase. Membership and attendance at TiE events continue to grow at the rate of over 20%, even during difficult economic conditions.
Is TiE engaged in any charitable or educational activities?
TiE is not directly engaged in any charitable or educational activities. However, various TiE affiliated individuals are involved with charitable organizations of their personal choice. TiE encourages all such efforts and takes pride in the initiatives of the membership to give back to the communities at large.
How is TiE helping the other regions of the world?
Having established chapters in US, Canada, India, UK, Pakistan, Singapore, Dubai, Australia and Malaysia, TiE movement has created a strong foothold in many parts of the world. In all these countries, TiE has brought together the entrepreneurs, business people, government policy makers, professional service providers, academics, and the media with the objective of enhancing the entrepreneurial climate of the respective areas.
TiE's long-term goals the future of TiE?
TiE aspires to continue the expansion of its chapters and membership worldwide, while maintaining a clear focus on its objectives and philosophies. TiE will therefore continue to encourage and support the efforts and spirit of entrepreneurship everywhere. TiE aims to continue its pivotal role in the formulation of sound ecosystems for regional and national economic growth through private enterprise.
TiE Chapters
What is the size of TiE today?
TiE currently has 38 chapters (28 are active, and 10 are under preparation) in 9 countries. Worldwide, there are about 800 Charter Members and 8,000 Members.
Where are the various TiE chapters located?
We have locations in Ahmedabad, Atlanta, Austin, Bangalore, Boston, Chandigarh, Chennai, Chicago, Dallas/Ft.Worth, Delhi, Denver, Detroit, Dubai, Florida, Houston, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kanpur, Karachi, Kolkata, Lahore, London, Los Angeles, Malaysia, Mumbai, New York, Patna, Pune, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, San Diego, Seattle, Silicon Valley, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, Vancouver, and Washington D.C. Click here for more details about each chapter.
How do I get more information about TiE or a specific chapter?
Please visit our web site www.TiEFlorida.org where you can receive information about TiE chapters and events.
Starting a Chapter
How does a TiE chapter get started?
There are several important prerequisites for the start of a successful TiE chapter in a city or geographical area, where significant entrepreneurial activities exist.
The seeding of a chapter starts with a core team of individuals who are spiritually committed to TiE philosophies and are willing to provide sustained leadership with a single-minded focus on the mission of TiE. Some of these leaders need to visit Silicon Valley and other chapters to receive first-hand awareness of programs, quality, content and other aspects of TiE requirements.
The core team needs a few "lightening rod" personalities who can continually attract others. After several meetings of the core team, a pattern of leadership emerges among the participants. With advice from TiE, the team puts in place a schedule of events for the future. The issues of governance, accounting procedures and meeting venue are also addressed.
Prior to the formal launch of a chapter, four or five monthly meetings with high profile speakers and substantial attendance are required. The general experience has been that it takes six months to a year of disciplined meetings and build up of membership before a sustainable chapter becomes operational and official.
Membership
How do I become a member of TiE?
All TiE chapters are open for membership. Individuals may become a member by sign-up and payment of annual dues to their home chapter. At some chapters, there may also be an Initiation fee charged in the first year of membership. For the Florida chapter the recommended way for Online Registration is at membership info page on the website www.TiEFlorida.org .
What are the benefits of becoming a member of TiE?
TiE is a forum for interacting and learning from successful entrepreneurs and industry professionals. Members can establish relationships that can provide them mentorship, connections to venture capital investors and other professional organizations, advice (especially with respect to business planning and financing strategies) and, in some cases, access to capital. However TiE, as a not-for-profit organization, does not directly engage in venture capital investments. It also provides an opportunity to network with other professionals and entrepreneurs in various stages of realizing their individual dreams. These informal networks provide guidance, support and friendship from others with similar interests.
Can I cancel my membership with TiE at any point?
Yes, you can do so at any time. However, all membership payments are non-refundable.
How do I become a Charter Member of TiE?
Charter membership is by invitation only, and subject to a due process prescribed in the TiE bylaws. If an individual feels that he/she is qualified to be a Charter member at any existing chapter, he/she should approach two existing Charter Members at that chapter for sponsorship. The process of approval goes through the Governing Board of that chapter. In case of a new chapter, the first five to ten charter members are approved by TiE through an assigned Trustee. A three step pre-approval process for Charter Member nominations is utilized within a Chapter:
Step #1: Nominator-Charter Member in good standing with minimum 2 years tenure as Charter Member of the Chapter, or in case of a new Chapter is one of the founding / initial Charter Members.
Step #2: Confirmer-Charter Member who seconds the nomination
Step #3: Confirmer Checker-Charter Member who researches the background and credibility of the nominee. At this stage the name is presented to the board for approval.
Who are the TiE Charter Members?
TiE Charter members are high achievers as entrepreneurs, corporate executives, academician, venture capitalists, law or accounting firm partners and the like. They are committed to wealth creation through entrepreneurship and economic development of the region.
Charter members bring value and prestige to TiE rather than draw prestige from TiE. They subscribe to the philosophical framework of TiE as articulated in various TiE brochures. The spirituality of the framework is of paramount importance in how the Charter members relate to TiE.
Charter members are also ready and willing to mentor young entrepreneurs and start-up companies.
What are the benefits of becoming a Charter Member of TiE?
Charter members help underwrite TiE operations. Several Charter members participate in the leadership and management of TiE as elected officials or volunteers.
Charter members benefit by networking with each other and derive satisfaction by helping budding entrepreneurs. They also get opportunities to participate in start-ups in many ways.
How do I get more information about TiE or a specific chapter?
The best way is to visit our web site www.TiEFlorida.org where you can receive information about TiE chapters and events.
TiE Programs and Activities
What regular programs do TiE Chapters conduct?
TiE chapters conduct several regular programs and events, which, over the years, have provided value to its membership. Listed below are the descriptions of various programs at various TIE Chapters for reference purpose. Each chapter uses different combination of programs, but the monthly events are common among all chapters. Most TiE events are open to all, regardless of their membership status:
• Monthly Events - TiE Florida monthly events are held regularly on the 1st Wednesday of each month. These events include company presentations, panels on contemporary topics, and networking.
• Personal Mentoring Sessions - Any TiE Florida member can request a personal mentoring session with TiE Charter Members. The requests are processed on the basis of availability of mentors. The sessions last roughly one hour and topics of discussion are usually related to start-up companies or other professional matters.
• Company Workshops - Starting in 2001, TiE Silicon Valley has launched a collaborative program with its sponsors. The sponsor and TiE invite companies in need of advice and critique to apply. Selected companies are individually presented to a group of senior executives and Charter Members in private sessions and the company executives are given guidance and, in some cases, encouraged to talk to other companies or experts.
• Special Interest Group (SIG) Events - In order to provide sharper focus on domain specific issues and opportunities, some TiE SV programs are segmented in to SIG´s, such as semiconductors, software etc. The SIG concept has proved to be an effective way of elevating the quality of the TiE programs to higher level, by keeping the domain focus.
• Charter Member Retreats - Each chapter plans retreats and social events to facilitate the networking among its Charter Members. Once each year there is also a retreat for worldwide Charter Members. This enhances the inter-chapter networking and sharing of ideas.
• TiEcon - TiEcon is the flagship annual event of TiE and TiE Chapters. It is a conference, which addresses the wide spectrum of needs of entrepreneurs. The keynote speakers and the panelists are individuals who are widely acclaimed for their knowledge of business and entrepreneurship. The overall success of TiEcon depends not only on the industry luminaries who come and share their knowledge, but also on a large number of volunteers who manage just about every aspect of TiEcon. It takes about six months of team effort on the part of the volunteer team to put out this significant event for TiE.
Volunteers
How do I become a volunteer of TiE?
Any one interested in joining TiE as a volunteer can contact the TiE Florida Administrator at Admin@TiEFlorida.org with a small brief about his/her skills and background. The chapter office will assess which skills can be of most help at TiE Florida and benefit the volunteer.
What are the various ways in which one can help TiE Florida as a volunteer?
TiE Florida, like all other TiE Chapters, is managed primarily through the volunteer efforts of charter members and members. As a volunteer one can be of assistance to the various committees at TiE Florida. Depending on one´s skills background and intent, one can be involved in various projects and events at TiE Florida.
What are the benefits of becoming a volunteer of TiE?
TiE Florida is a forum for learning and interacting with peer members and successful entrepreneurs and as a volunteer you will do all this. It provides an opportunity to network with entrepreneurs/professionals in various stages of realizing their dreams. These informal networks provide guidance, support and friendship with like-minded people.
Sponsors
Who are the sponsors of TiE?
TiE Chapters have been supported by an increasing numbers of prominent sponsors. These are typically venture, law and accounting firms and other businesses with interest in Entrepreneurship and economic value creation. Currently 60 sponsors support Silicon Valley alone. TiE Florida has commenced in forming sponsorship relationships. Other chapters approach these relationships to best suit their area´s circumstances. We very much appreciate the value the sponsors bring to TiE. Also, with the new global Board of Trustees (BOT) there is a new program of global sponsorship.
How do the sponsors benefit from their support of TiE?
It is truly a win/win relationship. TiE is able to maintain excellence in its programs with the support of the sponsors. Many of the sponsors help TiE with their participation in panels and seminars. They all receive good visibility among TiE members and in fact many are engaged in business relationships with TiE related companies. Certain new programs also encourage interested sponsors to create programs in cooperation with TiE.
How does one become a sponsor of TiE Florida?
To become a sponsor of TiE Florida, please contact the TiE Florida President or Administrator in any of the following ways:
Our street address is: 207 West State Road 434, Suite C, Winter Springs, FL 32708.
Our phone number is: (407) 327-9472
Our Fax number is: (407) 327-9469
Or Email us at: Admin@TiEFlorida.com
|
