Entrepreneurship conference coming to Tampa  

Entrepreneurs and aspiring business leaders from across the country will come together next week in Tampa. 

TiECON Florida 2025, a conference focused on entrepreneurship, is scheduled to take place Oct. 8 at Centro Asturiano de Tampa in Ybor City. 

The event will be hosted by the Tampa chapter of the IndUS Entrepreneurs (TiE Global). The international organization was founded in 1992 by Indian-American business leaders.

TiECON Florida 2025 will feature an array of keynotes and panels that provide guests with an opportunity to learn and network, said TiE Tampa Bay executive director Mehak Arora. 

The theme this year will be “Impact, Influence and Beyond.”  

This was chosen to highlight the success stories of entrepreneurs and how their work has made a difference. Moreso, how it can be a catalyst for upcoming leaders so that they can write the “next chapter,” according to the TiE Tampa Bay website.  

A key aspect of TiE is fostering an environment where leaders from different cultures and backgrounds can thrive and educate one another. Supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs is a core part of the organization’s mission. “It’s a big umbrella and everybody is welcome,” Arora said. “We want to focus on the community and give back.” 

There is a diverse selection of topics for this year’s conference, she added. 

A panel entitled “About the Money, Rethinking Capital for a New Era” will highlight how capital and funding options are evolving and changing, and what this means for startups. 

Preethy Padmanabhan, 10xGrowth Strategies founder, will give a keynote about exponential influence and how to successfully scale and grow a business. 

The “Manufacturing of Tomorrow” panel will highlight how changes in technology and innovation are shaping the manufacturing industry and how this can have an impact on entrepreneurs. 

Another panel discussion, entitled “Leading with Impact – Building with Purpose | Global Vision. Strategic Growth. Lasting Influence,” will discuss how entrepreneurs can scale businesses beyond local markets, invest in creating ecosystems and mentorship networks and navigate reinvention and resilience. 

Gacsym Ventures and Gacs Ltd. CEO Anmol Goel will be giving a keynote address called “Beyond the Exit: Influence That Lasts” that focuses on how business leaders can use capital from exits to fund new projects and empower other entrepreneurs. 

The next panel discussion, “When Vision Meets Partnership, Legacy Follows | Dynamic Duos – Power Couples in Innovation,” will highlight the stories of John and Helena Boucard and Saravana Pat Bhava and Chitra Kanagaraj. The two couples, who run businesses together, will discuss how they are partners both personally and professionally and how that has played a role in their ventures.  

Cyberhuman.ai CEO & co-founder Poonacha Machaiah will give a keynote called “The Art of the Possible,” which will focus on how “ancient wisdom, modern science and conscious innovation can unlock the next frontier of human evolution.” 

The final panel, entitled “Everything Was Until It Became Something Else | Florida’s Innovation Ecosystem: Uncovering Roots,” will reflect on the “people, places and decisions” that have played a role in building Florida’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

Additionally, Mela Artisans founder and CEO Navroze Mehta will discuss the challenges of balancing profit and purpose in a brief talk called “Fireside Chat: When Impact Makes Good Business.” 

Numerous awards will also be presented at the conference to honor TiE entrepreneurs who are making an impact. 

“This event is our collective workshop, our stage and our promise that Tampa Bay will keep shaping stories of impact that reach far beyond our region,” said president of TiE Tampa Bay Chitra Kanagaraj in a prepared statement.

“By honoring legacy, celebrating bold entrepreneurs and connecting investors and partners, we’re building not just companies, but a stronger future.” 

For tickets and additional information, visit the TiECON 2025 website.