An article by Ms. Upasana Sharma, Executive Director, TiE Delhi-NCR
India’s entrepreneurial landscape is stepping into 2026 with sharper edges and a stronger backbone. The last year has shown that the startup ecosystem is no longer young and chaotic; it is maturing, diversifying and demanding more specialised support than ever before. From talent to technology, deeptech to digital adoption, founders are seeking platforms that can help them grow with precision.
In this context, TiE Delhi-NCR’s role as a key ecosystem builder has become more prominent. Across 2025, the organisation didn’t just keep pace with the sector’s evolution. It quietly shaped the direction in which entrepreneurs are now heading.
A Year That Started With Momentum
The first quarter of 2025 signalled how startups were preparing for a more competitive cycle. Hiring models, AI-led operations and investor readiness dominated conversations, and TiE Delhi-NCR curated its early-year programs to address exactly that. The HR Summit set the tone by taking a hard look at how workforces are being redesigned for a tech-first decade. The AI Advantage session that followed helped founders understand the practical integration of artificial intelligence instead of chasing buzzwords. The Leap Ahead pitch session brought emerging startups in front of mentors and investors who were focused on business fundamentals.
Notably, moments of celebration strengthened this narrative of revival. The Charter Member’s New Year Garden Gala strengthened the importance of community as founders and investors define goals for the year ahead. Soon after, Capital Connect 2025, hosted with SIDBI, deepened the conversation on how capital can accelerate India’s high-growth enterprises. Capital Connect – Hills Edition further extended this momentum by convening investors, policymakers and thought leaders to outline actionable strategies for next-generation enterprises. The quarter also included the CM Face to Face with Aloke Bajpai (iXigo) and Girish Shivani (YourNest), offering founders direct access to operator-led insights. Pitch & Partner and Founders & Funds added another layer of depth by giving early-stage teams curated access to the right investors and targeted 1:1 conversations. For a quarter that typically moves slowly, the ecosystem felt unusually energetic.
Deepening The Founder Playbook
By March and April, the focus had shifted from inspiration to competency-building. TiE Delhi-NCR’s programs during this period echoed what many founders were feeling: the need to learn faster, communicate better and pitch with more clarity. The Inside the Mind of a Leader session and the InnoVen Capital networking breakfast allowed founders to absorb lived experiences from senior leaders. A virtual session on PR and communications helped young startups understand how credibility is built long before revenue arrives.
The SHE summit stood apart due to its solid participation from women professionals across industries. It wasn’t just a diversity-focused event; it brought strategic insight, investor access and a sense of shared ambition. Pitch & Partner returned with a sharper slate of startups and an equally impressive list of investors. Leap Ahead continued its pace through a packed demo day that put 70+ startups in front of decision-makers, while the Take Off intrapreneurship initiative with GMR proved how large organisations are adopting the startup mindset internally.
These months also served as a reminder that the entrepreneurial mindset does not emerge during later years. The TYE Regional Finals saw high school students pitch with confidence and clarity, signalling a future generation that understands innovation far earlier than their predecessors.
Building Competence, Community and Confidence
The mid-year period strengthened TiE Delhi-NCR’s position as an ecosystem architect. The 14th edition of the India Internet Day brought more than a thousand delegates together, underlining how digital India continues to be a global talking point. The TiE Institute Learning Series began with a session on modern sales strategies, featuring practitioners who built sales functions in India’s top companies. Take Off continued with modules on MVP development led by operators who had executed in real markets.
This phase also featured the TiE Gold Alumni Meetup with Deep Kalra (MakeMyTrip) & the alumni offsite provided a platform for founders’ who have been part of our initiatives to reconnect & share their playbooks in addition to learning from leaders.
Student entrepreneurship came into sharp focus with the Student Entrepreneurship Summit and the TYE Global Finals, both of which celebrated young innovators. Newsroom visits, corporate tours and hands-on exposure enabled students recognise how businesses are established beyond classrooms.
Simultaneously, TiE Delhi-NCR strengthened its partnership with C-DOT for the Samarth Incubation and Acceleration initiatives. These sessions addressed hiring, business modelling, legal frameworks, IP, ESG, financial strategy and product market fit. The focus was quite clear that founders should know every aspect of building a venture, especially in challenging industries such as telecom, deeptech, AI and cybersecurity. Further strengthening community bonds, CM Rendezvous hosted by Rohit Sarin offered members a curated space for strategic conversations.
Expanding Horizons and Strengthening India’s Position
As the year went by, the organization went on to foster connections. TiE India Startup Superpower 2035 advanced India’s deeptech agenda ahead via discussions with policymakers. Workshops in schools like Bishop Cotton & Millennium Schools introduced entrepreneurship to younger groups. Partnerships with the UAE-India CEPA Council enabled startups tap into new markets.
By the time TiEcon Delhi 2025 was held at Taj Palace, the theme of India’s deeptech ascent seemed increasingly significant. The summit showcased India’s most promising homegrown ventures, fostering collaborations that will define the country’s global technology leadership for years to come.
A Future Built On Intentional Support
If 2025 highlighted anything, it is that entrepreneurship is no longer an individual effort. Founders must have funding, communities, mentorship, access to markets and guided learning. TiE Delhi-NCR’s initiatives throughout the year reflected these essential factors with exceptional clarity. As the ecosystem steps into 2026, the organisation’s work offers a preview of what the future will demand: sharper skills, deeper resilience, global ambition and an unwavering belief that innovation can come from anywhere. With the right support, this next chapter could be India’s most transformative yet.
