Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (NJC)
Mangaluru, Jan 8: TiE Mangaluru has announced the inaugural ‘TiECon Mangaluru 2026’, a two-day start-up convention to be held on January 15 and 16, at The Avatar Hotel and Convention Centre, Mangaluru. The event aims to position Coastal Karnataka as a fast-emerging innovation and investment hub under the theme ‘Building Unicorns from the Land of Sun and Fun’.
TiE Mangaluru leaders said the convention, supported by the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) and the Silicon Beach Program (SBP), will bring together over 500 delegates, including 50+ investors, 40+ speakers, and 30 start-up exhibitors from across India and abroad.
TiECon Mangaluru 2026 is expected to showcase some of the region’s most promising startups and strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the Mangaluru–Udupi–Manipal belt, popularly referred to as the Silicon Beach of India.
Several prominent leaders from government, industry, and the startup ecosystem are scheduled to participate in the convention. Key dignitaries include IT & BT minister Priyank Kharge, Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta, MeitY secretary S Krishnan, IT & BT secretary Dr Manjula N (IAS), KEONICS chairman Sharath Bache Gowda, Accel India Partner Padma Shri Prashanth Prakash, TiE global president Murali Bukkapattanam, 3one4 Capital chairman Mohandas Pai, Deloitte South Asia CEO Romal Shetty, actor-entrepreneur Suniel Shetty, KDEM Chairman BV Naidu, and KDEM CEO Sanjeev Gupta.
Speaking on the occasion, Rohith Bhat, founding president of TiE Mangaluru, said the chapter was established in April 2023 with a vision to galvanise the startup ecosystem of the region.
“In less than two years, TiE Mangaluru has organised over 40 startup-focused programmes, engaged 400+ entrepreneurs, and built a strong community of 130+ founders, collectively employing more than 20,000 people,” he said.
He further noted that the region has witnessed three recent tech exits valued at over USD 250 million, backed by the presence of 15+ angel investors, indicating strong early momentum. “Our long-term vision is to enable 4,000 startups by 2034, with at least five unicorns emerging from the Silicon Beach region,” he added.
Prashanth Rao Aroor, chair of the TiECon Mangaluru Organising Committee 2026, said the event will feature a powerful lineup of ecosystem builders and investors.
“We have carefully curated 30 high-potential startups from the region to showcase their innovations to investors and high-net-worth individuals. Our goal is to learn from industry leaders and transform this region into one of India’s top innovation hubs in the coming decade,” he said.
Founded in 1992 in Silicon Valley, TiE is a global non-profit organisation dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship. It currently has over 15,000 members across 61 chapters in 14 countries, serving as a platform for entrepreneurs, professionals, investors, and industry leaders worldwide.