TIE U
TiE U, formerly known as TiE University, is revolutionizing entrepreneurship education in Oregon by providing a comprehensive platform for university students to leap into the entrepreneurial world. Through a unique blend of education, mentorship, and inspiration, TiE U equips students with the tools and confidence needed to navigate the complexities of starting a business.
TiE U brings together university entrepreneurs with successful business leaders across Oregon to perfect their pitch, develop their product or service and provide a holistic approach to their startup.
The program culminates with a State Pitch Competition. The winner of that competition will have the opportunity to attend TiECon Silicon Valley one of the world’s largest investor conferences in the world.
2024-2025 Timeline:
October 2024 -- registration opens
January 17 2025 -- registration deadline
January-March 2025 -- regional programming
April 2025 -- regional pitch competition
May 2025 — TiECon Silicon Valley
“TiE has been invaluable to us. We’re grateful for the mentorship, feedback, support, and advice we’ve received. It’s helped us refine our concept, address our risks, and move toward realizing our business. TiE has been incredibly beneficial to our startup and our successes are a direct result of your support.”
2024-2025 PARTICIPATING COMPANIES
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2024 winner bproud of portland state university
The winner of the local TiE U Program (formerly known as TiE University), Bproud advanced to the TiE U Global Pitch Competition at TiECon Silicon Valley in May 2024. This prestigious event offers the opportunity to compete for additional cash prizes and engage with angel investors and mentors from around the world.
Bproud is a purpose-driven clothing brand with a mission to make a positive impact on the world by empowering individuals to embrace their unique identities and be unapologetically proud of who they are. Please check out their collection here - https://www.bproud.shop/.
Pictured: Co Founder Jospin Mugisha
Pictured: Co Founder Japhety Ngabireyimana
2023-2024 pARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
2023-2024 PARTICIPATING COMPANIES
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Visit Oregon State University to learn more…
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Make a donation or become a sponsor
Whether you plan to sponsor or contribute a tax-deductible donation, TiE Oregon/TiE Oregon Foundation ensures that your support is contributing to our next generation of innovators and strives to grow a workforce that understands the global marketplace and entrepreneurship.
Click below to make a donation, or contact Kari.Naone@oregon.tie.org for more information.
GET INVOLVED / CONTACT:
David Smith PhD
TiE Oregon Board Member
TiE Oregon University Lead
dcsmithor61@gmail.com
Jerry Young
TiE Oregon Charter Member
jerry.lee.young@gmail.com
TESTIMONIALS
“TiE U has been incredibly helpful in expediting the amount of feedback and knowledge I needed to move my company along.”
- TiE University Alum
Oregon State University, InnovationX
“TiE U provides students an opportunity to continue to develop their ideas and entrepreneurial ambitions with knowledge, skills, and resources (mentors, funding, and community). TiE U builds on the foundation provided by the programs at Oregon State University.”
- Dale McCauley, Assistant Director of InnovationX
Portland State University, Center for Entrepreneurship
“Programs like TiE U give incredible access to mentorship, pathways, and networks that we cannot always provide after the Invent Oregon competition is over. TiE University has a way of nurturing Innovation and Entrepreneurship in a healthy, productive, and honest environment.
We view TiE University as that next step for students to get them one bit closer to creating a future for themselves.”
- Abigail Van Gelder, Director at PSU Center for Entrepreneurship
Oregon State University, Advantage Innovation Impact Program
“TiE U is additive to what our single university can offer. We have student teams create new ideas all the time and we provide them with tools and support to get their startups moving. TiE U, with its mentor program, puts them in a position to think on a global scale, create a network of like-minded people and have that professional experience of pitching to equity investors. It’s a great next step for any student team.”
- Karl Mundorff, Executive Director, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Program highlights
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Students gain invaluable guidance from successful business leaders across Oregon, helping them refine their business plans and perfect their pitches.
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The program supports students in developing both their products and services, ensuring a well-rounded approach to entrepreneurship.
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The program culminates in a Global Pitch Competition at TiECon Silicon Valley, one of the largest investor conferences globally, where students present their business ideas on an international stage.
what’s in it for students?
Opportunity to connect with TiE’s business mentors
Opportunity to pitch to a panel of judges (Top VCs and Angels) at the Global Pitchfest at the TiECon Conference in Silicon Valley in May
Monetary prizes and free services for the top winning teams
CRITERIA to participate
Must be a team of at least 2 members and as large as seven members
At least two of the team’s members must be currently enrolled students in accredited colleges or will have graduated within the prior twenty-four months of the competition finals
Such students can be enrolled in undergraduate/bachelors, graduate/masters, or post-graduate/doctoral programs
Business ideas should be a real life, traded-sector, technology and/or technology enabled, executable and fundable
Must be able to participate in global competition (virtually) at TiECon Silicon Valley in early May
COST TO STUDENTS
The cost to participate is covered by generous donations from the TiE Oregon Community and includes:
Opportunity to meet 1:1 with experienced and engaging mentors, influencers, and serial entrepreneurs who can support your entrepreneurial aspirations
Opportunity to engage with other entrepreneurs, mentors, investors and domain expertise around the world via TiE’s online member directory
Opportunity to publish your blogs through the TiE Oregon e-newsletter and social platforms
Discounted attendance to TiE events
Opportunity to participate in the TiE Global Entrepreneur Boot Camp, TiECon Silicon Valley, and the TiE U Global Pitch Competition
— “If not for TiE U our business idea would have stayed just that. An idea. Today, it is a growing business!”—
—Winner of TiE University Global Pitch Competition 2020