BANGALORE: The first Indian chapter of The IndUS Entrepreneurs (TiE) has been informally started in Bangalore. TiE chapters in India will aim to replicate the success of the original model in the US, which has inspired and nurtured many a start-up in the Silicon Valley.
TiE’s presence in Bangalore is expected to give entrepreneurship in the city a real boost. Infosys Technologies Ltd. managing director Nandan Nilekani, who is closely involved with the initiative said, "Entrepreneurs in Bangalore are looking at three or four things - inspiration, networking opportunities, advise and expertise on business opportunities, and a source for funds. TiE will expedite all four."
Exodus Communications Inc. chief technology officer B. V. Jagadeesh pointed out that if 40 per cent of the start-ups in the Silicon Valley are either headed by Indians or have Indian promoters, as some recent studies have revealed, then a "big percentage of that success is because of TiE".
Opening of chapters outside America requires certain changes in the TiE charter, which when completed, the process of enrolling members for the Bangalore chapter will commence. TiE chapters are to be shortly opened in other Indian cities like Mumbai and Delhi.