Hyderabad: TiE Hyderabad launched the TiE Women 2026 outreach programme at T-Works in Raidurgam and invited applications from women entrepreneurs across Telangana for the seventh edition of the initiative.
More than 100 aspiring entrepreneurs attended the roadshow on Thursday. The programme focused on mentorship, networking, investor access and startup growth opportunities for women founders.
TiE Hyderabad President Murali Kakarla announced that women founders could pitch in Telugu for the first time in the competition. He said language should not stop women entrepreneurs from entering the startup ecosystem.
The organisers said applicants could submit entries for TiE Women 2026 until May 10. They also announced plans to reach 200 applicants through statewide outreach programmes.
Immediate Past Chairman of the TiE Global Board of Trustees, Dr Murali Bukkapatnam, said entrepreneurship remained incomplete without women’s participation. He stressed that women entrepreneurs must contribute actively to the country’s economic growth.
TiE Hyderabad officials said the organisation would hold roadshows in Tier-2 cities such as Nizamabad, Warangal, Karimnagar and Khammam. These programmes aim to increase participation from women founders across Telangana.
TiE Women 2026 expands startup mentorship
TiE Women Committee Chair Ankit Sanjay Shah said the initiative connected women founders with mentors, investors and global startup networks through partnerships with more than 60 TiE chapters worldwide.
He said TiE Hyderabad had mentored more than 600 women entrepreneurs over the years. In addition, the chapter provided structured mentorship support to more than 100 founders.
Officials stated that the programme facilitated over $352,000 in equity-free grants for women-led startups. Last year’s winner, Sowmya Darapaneni of Avinya Neurotech, also entered the TiE50 and TGS100 global startup lists.
MV Reddy from the TiE Women 2026 Committee explained the eligibility criteria for the pitching contest. Startups must have women founders or co-founders holding at least 33 percent equity. Eligible businesses must also register after January 1, 2019 and actively seek funding.
The event also featured a panel discussion titled “Future is Female”. Entrepreneurs and industry leaders discussed opportunities and challenges in the startup ecosystem during the session.
