Saturday, October 24, 2026 · 9:00 am – 12:30 pm
Price
Free
What it is Traction is a competitive, board-game-style startup simulation hosted by TiE Pune. Over roughly two hours, participants step into the shoes of a product manager and run a virtual startup - making strategy calls, chasing product-market fit, and racing other teams to acquire the most paid users. It is a hands-on alternative to the usual panel-and-slides format: less listening, more playing, with real startup lessons emerging from the gameplay itself.
Who it's for The session is designed for entrepreneurs, founders, aspiring founders, and professionals who want to understand what building and scaling a business actually feels like. It suits early-stage teams testing their instincts, operators sharpening product judgement, and anyone curious about startup decision-making without risking their own venture.
What to expect
Facilitator Mohammed Ali Chherawalla (Mac), Co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer at Wednesday, leads the simulation. His operator background in revenue and go-to-market gives the debrief a practical, numbers-driven edge.
About the organiser TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs) is one of the world's largest entrepreneurship networks, founded in 1992 in Silicon Valley and active across dozens of chapters globally. TiE Pune is a long-running local chapter that connects founders, investors, and mentors through events, mentoring programmes, and its flagship TiE Young Entrepreneurs and TiE Women initiatives. Its Pune programming regularly brings together the city's SaaS, manufacturing-tech, and consumer startup community.
Venue and logistics The event runs 09:00 to 12:30 IST on 24 October 2026 at Cafe Peter, Erandwane, Kothrud, Pune - a casual setting suited to table-based gameplay and open discussion. Seats are limited by the format, so early registration is advised. Speaker and sponsor announcements are expected closer to the date.
Price
Free