TiE Mangaluru to host inaugural TiECon Mangaluru 2026 on january 16
Convention to bring together 500+ delegates, 50+ investors, 30+ startup exhibitors
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Mangaluru: TiE Mangaluru will host the inaugural TiECon Mangaluru 2026 on January 16, coinciding with National Startup Day, marking a major milestone for the startup ecosystem of Coastal Karnataka.
The convention, supported by the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) and the Silicon Beach Program (SBP), is expected to bring together more than 500 delegates, including entrepreneurs, investors, corporate leaders, policymakers, and innovators from across India and abroad, with a focus on highlighting Coastal Karnataka’s emergence as an innovation and investment destination.
TiECon Mangaluru 2026 will feature over 50 investors and 30 startup exhibitors, showcasing 30 of the region’s most promising startups. The event aims to position the Mangaluru–Udupi–Manipal belt, widely referred to as the Silicon Beach of India, as a key driver of Karnataka’s next phase of startup-led growth.
The convention will see participation from several senior leaders and prominent figures from government, industry and the startup ecosystem.
Key leaders at the event:
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Priyank Kharge, Minister of IT & BT, Govt. of Karnataka
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Captain Brijesh Chowta, MP of Dakshina Kannada
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S Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
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Manjula N IAS, Secretary, IT & BT, Govt. of Karnataka
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Sharath Bache Gowda, Chairman, KEONICS
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Padma Shri Prashanth Prakash, Partner, Accel India
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Murali Bukkapattanam, President, TiE Global
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Mohandas Pai, Chairman, 3one4 Capital
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Romal Shetty, CEO, Deloitte South Asia
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Suniel Shetty, Entrepreneur and Actor
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BV Naidu, Chairman, KDEM
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Sanjeev Gupta, CEO, KDEM
Speaking to the media at the Mangaluru Press Club, Rohith Bhat, Founding President of TiE Mangaluru, said that the TiE Mangaluru chapter was established in April 2023 with the vision to galvanize the startup ecosystem in the Mangaluru–Udupi–Manipal region, which is now recognised as the Silicon Beach of India.
He said that in less than two years, TiE Mangaluru has organised 40+ startup-focused programmes, reached 400+ entrepreneurs, and built a strong member base of 130+ founders, who collectively employ over 20,000 people.
He further stated that with the presence of 15+ angel investors and three recent tech exits collectively valued at over USD 250 million, the region has demonstrated strong early traction and clear potential to emerge as Karnataka’s next major startup hub. Outlining the long-term roadmap, he said the vision is to enable 4,000 startups by 2034, with at least five unicorns emerging from the region.
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, from whom the region intends to learn and draw inspiration to become one of the top innovation hubs in the country in the coming decade.
He added that 30 high-potential, high-growth startups from the Silicon Beach of India have been carefully curated for potential investors and high-net-worth individuals to experience the innovation taking shape in the region.
TiE Mangaluru expressed its gratitude to its sponsors for extending support to TiECon Mangaluru 2026.
The event is supported by DBS as the banking partner, with Niveus Solutions (part of NTT Data), Featherlite, and Neo Wealth Partners as platinum sponsors. The diamond sponsors include Nuvama Private, Karnataka Bank, Vertex Workspace, and Peninsula Del Mar, while The Avatar Hotel is 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 around the world have evolved into a vibrant platform for entrepreneurs, professionals, industry leaders and investors to interact, collaborate and forge long-lasting relationships. Today, TiE has over 15,000 members, including more than 3,000 charter members and mentors, spread across 61 chapters in 14 countries.
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Infant dies after medical emergency on Jaipur-Bengaluru flight; emergency landing in Indore
Bengaluru: An Air India Express flight operating from Jaipur to Bengaluru made an emergency landing at Devi Ahilyabai Holkar International Airport in Indore on Tuesday following a medical emergency involving an infant passenger.
The infant, identified as Mohammed Abrar and aged around one year, reportedly suffered a choking incident while onboard the aircraft. When the child was brought to the hospital nearest to the airport, he was declared dead on arrival, The New Indian Express reported.
According to the report, the child was sick even before boarding. While on air, a cabin crew member spotted his mother crying and approached to help, when the full seriousness of the incident came to light. After some crew members tried to help, a doctor onboard who was travelling as a passenger tried to help as well, to no effect.
As the infant’s condition deteriorated, the flight crew declared a medical emergency and diverted the aircraft to Indore. Medical personnel were present on the ground upon landing, but the child could not be saved.
The exact cause of the choking is unclear. Further details are awaited.
