TiE Kerala

Start with the mentoring request

• Use the mentoring request form on the TiE Kerala site. It is the only open way in that the site describes.
• Say your stage and what you need help with: idea validation, go-to-market, fundraising readiness or team building.
• Expect a mentor match and a first session first. Extended mentoring is by mutual agreement and chargeable.

Pitching to investors

• Capital Cafe and the startup track at TiEcon are the pitch routes. The site shows no current call, so write to the chapter before you prepare a deck.
• Selected startups are mentored by charter members before they pitch.

Know what it is not

• TiE Kerala does not list a cohort, desk space or a grant. It is a network and mentoring body.
• Charter membership is invitation only. Plan on mentoring and events, not membership, as your route in.

TiE Kerala is the Kochi chapter of TiE, a non-profit global community of entrepreneurs. It is a mentoring and networking body run by its members, not a classic incubator with a desk and a cohort. Founders reach it through its mentoring programme, its pitch events and its annual conference.

What TiE Kerala does

The chapter was registered on 12 March 2003 with 10 charter members. It now reports 95+ charter members and 300+ associate members, who are CEOs of small and mid-sized companies and professionals from industries such as IT and ITeS, hospitality and tourism, healthcare, food processing, agri-tech, financial services, pharmaceuticals and manufacturing. TiE describes its work as five pillars: mentoring, networking, education, incubating and funding.

How founders use it

The TiE Kerala Mentoring Program is the clearest way in. It is open to early-stage startups, growth-stage startups, aspiring entrepreneurs validating an idea, and student or first-time founders. It begins with mentor matching and structured interactions such as speed pitching and one-on-one mentor connects. Founders who want deeper help can opt for extended mentorship in mutually agreed, chargeable sessions, and some arrange for a mentor to act as an advisor. Mentors are mostly charter members who give their time as volunteers. Focus areas include idea validation, product-market fit, go-to-market, fundraising readiness and leadership.

Capital Cafe is a pitch event where selected startups are mentored by charter members and then present to angel investors, venture funds and senior entrepreneurs. The latest edition described on the site is from 2020, when 350+ applications were received and 120 startups were shortlisted to pitch online. Check with the chapter whether a new edition is planned.

TiEcon Kerala is the chapter's annual conference. The site says 13 editions had run till 2024, with more than 100 speakers and over 40 concurrent sessions in 5 parallel tracks, and separate pitch fest and mentoring tracks for startups.

Programmes for students

The TiE Young Entrepreneur Program, or TYE, is for school students in grades 9 to 12. Students learn business basics in classroom sessions, form teams of 3-5 to build a business plan with mentors, and the winning team from the chapter competition represents TiE Kerala at the global finals. The page last reports the 2019-20 round.

Government links and funding

The chapter says it works closely with the Government of Kerala, and its president and charter members sit on state committees. It lists memoranda of understanding with Kerala Finance Corporation and KSIDC. It says it was knowledge partner when Startup Village was set up in 2012, and that it has set up a seed fund and the Kerala Angel Network for angel funding to startups.

Membership

Charter membership is by invitation only and follows the process in the TiE bylaws. Institutional membership is open to corporates and senior educational institutions. Membership is valid for 1 year from the date of joining and is not refundable or transferable. You do not need to be a member to request a mentoring session.

Where it is

The office is on the 3rd floor of Chakkalakal Arcade in Palarivattom, Kochi, Kerala 682028. The chapter was named TiE Global Best Chapter in 2018.