Hyderabad : TiE- ISB Connect 2010, the annual networking event for entrepreneurs and investors will be held on October 29 and 30, 2010 at HICC Hotel Novotel, Hyderabad. The event jointly organised by the TiE Hyderabad Chapter and the Indian School of Business (ISB) is being held since the last five years. This year the event aspires to attract more than 1000 delegates from all parts of India and is being supported by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. The theme for this year is ‘Transforming India: The Entrepreneurship Route. Dr. K. Rosaiah, the Honourable Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh is expected to preside over the event as Chief Guest.

Making the announcement, J. A. Chowdary, Chief Mentor, TiE- Hyderabad and Member Board of Trustees, TiE Global said, “TiE-ISB Connect brings together start-up and growth companies on a common platform with investors and provides an excellent learning and networking opportunity for start up companies. This is a high-impact annual event that encourages quality discussions on issues and trends in the entrepreneurial space with experts from various sectors.”

Speaking on the importance of promoting entrepreneurship, Ajit Rangnekar, Dean, ISB, said “The TiE- ISB Connect is a partnership to encourage entrepreneurship. This reflects our belief that entrepreneurship is a powerful way to create wealth, employment opportunities and social equity in this country. This has also been the driving force for the launch of the ‘Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (EDI) at the ISB which will incubate ventures that have the potential to generate employment and significantly enhance economic and social value.”

The aim of TiE-ISB Connect is to bring diverse insights to the vast, yet untapped entrepreneurial opportunities and create an engaging space for aspiring, ambitious entrepreneurs to network with like minded peers, mentors and investors. The event commenced with the ISB announcing ‘Velocity’ – a Business Plan competition that invited plans from start up entrepreneurs. The competition offers several benefits to the short listed ventures such as presenting their plans to VCs, funding, mentor support, networking and getting their plans incubated at the ISB. The top 20 selected ventures will showcase their plans to the VC’s and investors on October 22, 2010 at the ISB.

Explaining this, Dr Krishna Tanuku, Executive Director, Wadhwani Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (WCED), ISB, said, “Our focus is to promote and support both enterprise creation and growth. Through this competition, we hope that we will be able to identify ventures and ideas for incubation at the ISB”

The main conference is a two day event which will comprise

•             Panel discussions on five industry tracks – Consumer Services,                               Internet & Mobility, Research-to-  Market, Healthcare and Energy,

•             Workshop for start up entrepreneurs – Jump Start your Enterprise

•             A Company Showcase where over 100 large, medium and small                               companies will showcase their products and services.

a.            Incubators

b.            R&D to Market (Converting R&D prototypes/projects to marketable                     products and services)

c.             Cool Products/Ideas (disruptive innovations/products, small or big)

d.            Platform Companies (technologies/products/services that you build                   business with) and

e.            Start Ups (new to existing).

Individuals/ companies interested in registering for Jumpstart your Venture, Company Showcase, Conference can do so at http://www.tie-isbconnect.com/

In his comments Dr. Ramesh Babu, President of TiE Hyderabad Chapter said, “India is poised to become the 3rd largest economy in the coming decade. The coming decade is the story of growth – leading to a multitude of diverse entrepreneurial opportunities and our objective is to turn this event into one such opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs.”

Over the last five years, TiE-ISB Connect has attracted more than 5000 participants and more than 300 young entrepreneurs have benefitted through mentoring and business making opportunities.