TiEcon 2023 attendees network in the halls of the Santa Clara Convention Center (All Photos: Vansh Gupta/Siliconeer)

TL;DR

TiEcon has heralded many different identities over the years. With a core belief in entrepreneurship, the grandiose conference became a reflection of Silicon Valley within the halls of the Santa Clara Convention Center. Returning back to in-person after the pandemic led to a strong pivot from the foundation that built TiE. TiE’s exponential growth of TiEcon can be attributed to sticking to its core principle of fostering and engaging entrepreneurs of tomorrow. However, TiEcon 2023 – the first since the pandemic — followed a very different narrative and the flavors just didn’t sit right for many returning attendees.

After a four-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I was finally standing on the floors of the Santa Clara Convention Center, attending TiEcon 2023. Being captivated by the aura in previous years, I was looking forward to being dazzled by TiEcon 2023. After all, we longed for an in-person event and an opportunity to, once again, connect with like-minded individuals.

Held against the backdrop of a turbulent economy, massive layoffs, West Coast bank failures, and some pressing global events, the cost-cutting measures to adapt to record inflation were apparent at TiEcon 2023. Kudos to the TiEcon 2023 team for breathing life to tracks with like-minded tech gurus, tech entrepreneurs sharing their vision and mission statements, opportunities to connect with tech honchos, and startup bootcamps. However, there was still something missing.

Attendees and exhibitors engage at the TiEcon 2023 Expo.
Attendees and exhibitors engage at the TiEcon 2023 Expo.

Halls felt more airy than usual. The expo felt a little lifeless at times. Lastly, the content mix was monotonous and felt influenced by current tech trends. Then it hit me. The youth element was the missing puzzle piece to this conference. In more broader terms, TiEcon has always presented a strong showcase of youth entrepreneurship, women in tech, and more diversified topics that arise from the mundane. That spice was missing from this year’s TiEcon. The conference, once a playground for optimistic entrepreneurs of today and tomorrow, now felt like a charity event with boxed food and transactional talks.

The essence of TiEcon has always been to engage and foster entrepreneurship. However, this year felt more like a discount TechCrunch Disrupt for the South Asian community. Tracks included the standard topics of AI/ML, Cloud/Edge, Cybersecurity, Global Connect, Generative AI, Healthcare, Manufacturing, India, Supply Chain, and Web3/Metaverse. These common topics, mixed with the grand keynote halls having empty chairs, and every paid extra imaginable – once a part of the regular conference – gave TiEcon a more cultish feeling, where only a few deserved to get the grand experience of TiEcon.

(L-r) The founding fathers of TiEcon - Mr. Kanwal Rekhi and Mr. Suhas Patil - attend TiEcon 2023
(L-r) The founding fathers of TiEcon – Mr. Kanwal Rekhi and Mr. Suhas Patil – attend TiEcon 2023

Now, you might think I am being critical, but this is an honest review of this year’s TiEcon after being an attendee at this mammoth conference in 2015-2019. Here are some valuable highlights standing out from the conference. Yes, the conference was valuable for many. However, it wasn’t extraordinary as witnessed in previous years — or our expectations are just higher, at this point.

Canada – The New Land of Opportunity?

For decades, we have seen the United States as the country for enterprising entrepreneurs. Silicon Valley has been a breeding ground for tech startups and disruptive unicorns. Recently, we have seen new markets emerge as hubs for innovation and entrepreneurship, namely Singapore, Hong Kong, and India.

The Tagility team showcasing the benefits of Canada for entrepreneurs and H1-Bs
The Tagility team showcasing the benefits of Canada for entrepreneurs and H1-Bs

This TiEcon highlighted Canada as the new hub for innovation and startups. As the tech and finance sector grows in Canada and resources are in abundance, Canada is now welcoming aspiring entrepreneurs with its new immigration initiatives. Tagility Co-Founder, Howard Greenberg, emphasized that Canada welcomes everyone. They want H1-Bs, aspiring startup founders, entrepreneurs, young professionals, students, and US Citizens. Lower taxes and better social services were highlighted as an appeal to emigrate to Canada.

Rahul Devaskar, Senior Investment Officer for Global Affairs Canada, provided very valuable insight on the difference in lifestyle between SF Bay Area and Canada.
Rahul Devaskar, Senior Investment Officer for Global Affairs Canada, provided very valuable insight on the difference in lifestyle between SF Bay Area and Canada.

In a candid conversation with Rahul Devaskar, Senior Investment Officer for Global Affairs Canada, he shares that Canada is often overlooked because it is not as prominently marketed as America. Canada can emerge as the land of opportunity with the progressive initiatives being enacted.

Supply Chain, not Supply and Demand

In the last three years, we have seen major disruptions in supply chain management. From cars in dealerships disappearing to food in stores to delays in shipment for tires. Let’s not forget the meltdown in the aviation industry. Or even worse, toilet paper! Even today, with the increasing disruption of natural and political forces, supply chain management has become its own field of study and an area of significant specialization. The focus was digitalization and automation in the face of volatility at TiEcon 2023. Supply chain management goes hand in hand with a bigger issue at stake – climate change.

Fresh Air – Climate Technology

(L-r)Arvind Gupta, Partner at Mayfield, and Po Bronson, Managing Director of IndieBio and General Partner at SOSV, talk bio-chemistry to tackle climate change.
(L-r)Arvind Gupta, Partner at Mayfield, and Po Bronson, Managing Director of IndieBio and General Partner at SOSV, talk bio-chemistry to tackle climate change.

There is no question that we have an unprecedented challenge to face in the upcoming decades. With experts predicting that global warming could cross the 1.5ºC threshold, it is time to adapt and innovate in the space of climate. Technologies to reduce carbon emissions, improving processes to lower current emissions, and adapting to this new reality were the focus of this track’s content. Yes, this included assessing the potential of high-risk investments in a bet to conquer climate change.

Experience is Everything

Sarthak Dudhara, CTO of Aubergine Solutions, talks UI/UX at the TiEcon Expo
Sarthak Dudhara, CTO of Aubergine Solutions, talks UI/UX at the TiEcon Expo

This is not a direct jab at the organizers of TiEcon 2023. This was the recurring theme of most startups and scaling companies at this year’s expo. From all-in-one application solutions to VR technology to robotics, to simple award-winning UI/UX design – these were the companies present at this year’s expo.

The Hottest Subject – Generative AI

The one track where the hall was jam-packed with hungry techies was the generative AI track. With ChatGPT and other GPTs disrupting every industry, this track was fitting for the time. Future possibilities, current process improvements, and responsible development of these technologies were discussed in this track. Perhaps this track should’ve been in the Grand Keynote, instead?

The Gen-Z Editor Hot Take

Although I have been a long-time fan of TiEcons and have been the biggest proponent of this behemoth conference, this year felt a little tame. Past TiEcons were always a warm and welcoming experience where no expense was spared. This led to memorable experiences for every attendee shelling out hundreds to even thousands of dollars to attend the conference. This year, cost-cutting measures were very apparent and the flawless con of up-selling and nickelising-and-diming made this conference a very successful one, fiscally. These are very critical observations but my rather basic article should emphasize the monotony of this year’s TiEcon.

TiEcon volunteers, Vansh Gupta and Vaibhav Deshmukh share a coffee at the TiEcon 2023 Grand Keynote Stage.
TiEcon volunteers, Vansh Gupta and Vaibhav Deshmukh share a coffee at the TiEcon 2023 Grand Keynote Stage.

With the criticism, I would like to point out that it isn’t fair to the organizing team to compare this TiEcon with previous in-person TiEcons because of the context this conference was run in. People were still wearing masks, the SVB meltdown and fears of recession discouraged some to attend, and it is always hard to transition to in-person after being remote for so long. Look at the WFH vs. in-office debacle.

TiE President, Anita Manwani speaks with attendees at TiEcon 2023
TiE President, Anita Manwani speaks with attendees at TiEcon 2023

One inexcusable thing was the lack of young energy. Youth entrepreneurs are the future of this organization and the world. To exclude them in a flagship conference such as TiEcon can be alluded to throwing a stone towards a glass window. I hope the TiE Silicon Valley team is listening and will consider this constructive feedback.

All Photos