Mangaluru: TiE Mangaluru will host the inaugural edition of TiECon Mangaluru 2026 on January 16, coinciding with National Startup Day, marking a significant milestone for the startup ecosystem of Coastal Karnataka. The convention is expected to position the region as a fast-emerging innovation and investment destination on India’s startup map.

The convention is being organised with the support of the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) and the Silicon Beach Program (SBP). It is expected to bring together more than 500 delegates, including entrepreneurs, investors, corporate leaders, policymakers, and innovators from across India and abroad. The focus of the event will be on showcasing Coastal Karnataka’s growing strengths in technology, entrepreneurship, and startup-led economic growth.

Showcasing Silicon Beach of India

TiECon Mangaluru 2026 will feature over 50 investors and 30 startup exhibitors, with 30 of the region’s most promising startups being showcased during the event. The convention aims to strengthen the positioning of the Mangaluru–Udupi–Manipal belt, popularly known as the Silicon Beach of India, as a key driver of Karnataka’s next phase of innovation-led development.

The event is expected to provide startups with access to capital, mentorship, strategic partnerships, and national visibility, while also enabling investors to explore high-potential opportunities emerging from the coastal region.

Senior leaders and prominent speakers

The convention will see participation from senior leaders and prominent figures from government, industry, and the startup ecosystem. Key leaders expected to attend include Karnataka Minister for IT and BT Priyank Kharge, Dakshina Kannada Member of Parliament Captain Brijesh Chowta, and S Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

Other notable participants include Manjula N, IAS, Secretary, IT and BT, Government of Karnataka; Sharath Bache Gowda, Chairman of KEONICS; Padma Shri awardee Prashanth Prakash, Partner at Accel India; Murali Bukkapattanam, President of TiE Global; Mohandas Pai, Chairman of 3one4 Capital; Romal Shetty, CEO of Deloitte South Asia; entrepreneur and actor Suniel Shetty; BV Naidu, Chairman of KDEM; and Sanjeev Gupta, CEO of KDEM.

Vision of TiE Mangaluru

Speaking to the media, Rohith Bhat, Founding President of TiE Mangaluru, said the TiE Mangaluru chapter was established in April 2023 with the vision of galvanising the startup ecosystem in the Mangaluru–Udupi–Manipal region. He noted that the region is now widely recognised as the Silicon Beach of India due to its growing concentration of technology-driven enterprises and innovation-led ventures.

He said that in less than two years, TiE Mangaluru has organised more than 40 startup-focused programmes, reached over 400 entrepreneurs, and built a strong member base of over 130 founders. These founders, he added, collectively employ more than 20,000 people, underlining the region’s economic impact.

Strong traction and future roadmap

Rohith Bhat further stated that the region has already demonstrated strong early traction, with the presence of more than 15 angel investors and three recent technology exits collectively valued at over USD 250 million. These developments, he said, indicate clear potential for the region to emerge as Karnataka’s next major startup hub.

Outlining the long-term roadmap, he said TiE Mangaluru’s vision is to enable 4,000 startups by 2034, with at least five unicorns emerging from the region over the next decade.

Curated startups and investor focus

Adding to this, Prashanth Rao Aroor, Chair of the TiECon Organising Committee 2026, said the convention features a strong lineup of speakers and ecosystem builders such as Prashanth Prakash, Mohandas Pai, BV Naidu, and Sanjeev Gupta. He said the region aims to learn from their experiences and draw inspiration to become one of the top innovation hubs in the country in the coming years.

He added that 30 high-potential and high-growth startups from the Silicon Beach of India have been carefully curated for the event. These startups will have the opportunity to engage with potential investors, venture capitalists, and high-net-worth individuals, offering a first-hand view of the innovation taking shape in the region.

Sponsor support and partnerships

TiE Mangaluru expressed gratitude to its sponsors and partners for supporting TiECon Mangaluru 2026. DBS is the banking partner for the event, while Niveus Solutions (part of NTT Data), Featherlite, and Neo Wealth Partners are the platinum sponsors.

The diamond sponsors include Nuvama Private, Karnataka Bank, Vertex Workspace, and Peninsula Del Mar. The Avatar Hotel has come on board as the hospitality partner for the convention.

About TiE

TiE was founded in 1992 in Silicon Valley by a group of successful entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and senior professionals with the objective of fostering entrepreneurship globally. Over the last 25 years, TiE chapters worldwide have evolved into vibrant platforms for entrepreneurs, professionals, industry leaders, and investors to interact, collaborate, and build long-lasting relationships.

Today, TiE has more than 15,000 members, including over 3,000 charter members and mentors, spread across 61 chapters in 14 countries.

Conclusion

With its inaugural edition, TiECon Mangaluru 2026 is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the startup ecosystem in Coastal Karnataka. By bringing together policymakers, investors, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs on a single platform, the convention aims to accelerate innovation, investment, and startup-led growth across the Silicon Beach of India.