President’s Greeting
Welcome to TiE Philadelphia
Every great company begins with a leader who sees a possibility… and decides to act on it. Behind that decision and the journey that follows is a human story - a problem that feels worth solving, the courage to take a risk, the passion to bring people together, and the determination to keep going when the path is uncertain.
TiE Philadelphia is a community for these entrepreneurs and business builders.
Throughout my career leading and growing businesses, I have seen how much difference the right people can make: a mentor who challenges your thinking, a colleague who helps you navigate a difficult moment, an introduction that opens a door, a team that solves a seemingly intractable problem. That power of community draws me to TiE, and what makes serving as President of the Philadelphia chapter such a privilege.
Our region has extraordinary ingredients for entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship: world-class universities, global corporations across industries, access to capital, and a special Philadelphia spirit that combines ingenuity with grit. TiE Philly’s ambition is to connect these strengths so that more ideas become businesses, more businesses grow to be successful, and more people share in the opportunities they create.
That ambition shapes our work. Through Top Pitch, we bring entrepreneurs and investors together, helping promising businesses gain exposure, feedback, and connections. Through TiE Women, we support women founders with mentorship, community, and opportunities to bring their ideas to a global stage. Through Speaker Series, we bring the community together to learn about investable growth ideas. Through TiE Young Entrepreneurs we teach entrepreneurship, invention, and innovation to High School students. Through Philadelphia Founders Sessions, we explore the people behind the companies, so others can learn from their journeys and find the confidence to begin their own.
We are building on the commitment of our chapter’s members and past leaders, and on TiE’s enduring belief in giving back. Our Charter Members, investors, volunteers, and partners put that belief into practice by sharing their experience and opening their networks. Working alongside organizations such as Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Drexel University, Temple University, Arcadia University, PACT, and Pennovation - to name a few - we can strengthen the connections that help businesses thrive across the Greater Philadelphia region. Through TiE’s global network of over 60 chapters and calendar of thousands of events, we can also help our region build relationships and pursue opportunities around the world.
My vision is for TiE Philadelphia to be a community where aspiration is welcome, where experienced leaders invest in the next generation, where success creates opportunities for others. Whatever your background, industry, organization, or stage of journey, we hope we can help you build the relationships, judgment, and confidence to keep moving forward.
If you are an entrepreneur, business leader or investor looking to give back – consider becoming a Charter Member. If you are building a business – contact us about Top Pitch or TiE Women. If you want to connect with our mighty community – register to attend our events. If you are a like-minded organization – let us know how we can partner. If you are a local corporation that shares this mission – become a sponsor.
Together, we can make Philadelphia a place where more people choose to build something that matters.
Sincerely,
Himesh Bhise
President, TiE Philadelphia