The IndUS Entrepreneurs (TiE) to open Dubai chapter

TiE Dubai is a non-profit global network of entrepreneurs established to foster entrepreneurship and nurture entrepreneurs and facilitate networking among members.

TiE Dubai (www.tiedubai.org) will be inaugurated at The Amphitheatre in Le Meridien - Mina Siyahi on January 5, 2003. Prominent TiE members Rajat Gupta, World-wide Managing Director of global consultancy firm McKinsey & Co Inc, and TiE founder Kanwal Rekhi ex- CTO of NOVELL will speak at the event.

Founded in Silicon Valley in 1992, TiE has more than 8000 members and 600 charter members in 40 Chapters in 10 countries. TiE is also supported by over 20 institutions including leading Silicon Valley venture capital investors, law-firms and banks.

Numerous start-up companies have benefited from TiE. Relationships forged through TiE have resulted in the creation of highly successful companies like Hotmail later acquired by Microsoft and now the most popular free e-mail service. TiE is rapidly emerging as a vital force of the industry, and a shining example of wealth creation through informed entrepreneurship.

Hari Padmanabhan, President of Dubai-based ICICI Infotech (MEA) (earlier known as Insyst) and the first President of TiE Dubai said: "TiE is open to anyone who is interested in working and supporting entrepreneurship. TiE will focus its energies on creating business opportunities, maintaining relationships through networking and nurturing entrepreneurs and supporting the cause of entrepreneurship."

Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, CEO of Dubai Internet City said: "We are glad to welcome TiE Dubai to Dubai Internet City at a time when the ground for entrepreneurial activity in the IT sector here is fertile. Dubai Internet City offers a supportive infrastructure for entrepreneurial ventures and we are keen to work with TiE to encourage and promote new business ideas in Dubai. I am sure that TiE's expertise will enrich the IT entrepreneurial scene in Dubai," he added.

Ahead of the inauguration, on January 5, TiE, Dubai will conduct a mentoring workshop at the Conference Room, Bldg. 3 - Dubai Internet City from 10 am - 12 noon. TiE founding members and members of TiE Global, arriving here for the inauguration will provide their experience and knowledge to participants of the mentoring workshop. Successful entrepreneurs and senior businessmen from the local market as well as investment bankers will be available for guidance and consultations.

The mentoring workshop will provide a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs in technology, media and other tech-related sectors to have their project concepts, business plans and strategies reviewed by the expert panel from TiE. TiE Dubai will extend guidance, assistance and even hi-tech resources to the entrepreneurs.

TiE's establishment in Dubai comes at a time when the city is emerging as a knowledge economy hub in the region, drawing on talent and resources from all over the world. Dubai is positioned strategically on the transit routes between India and the U.S., and is virtually a melting pot of expertise and entrepreneurship in this region of the world.

TiE Dubai will stimulate this further and act as a catalyst for faster and more sustained growth. TiE will help in bringing together investments, entrepreneurship, business acumen and management expertise of a global nature, especially in the IT and media sectors in the burgeoning economy of Dubai.