CAMBRIDGE, MA—TiE-Boston is now accepting applications for its TiE ScaleUp program, which creates a new model for entrepreneurs looking to grow their business beyond seed financing. The deadline for filing an application is May 20.

Satish Tadikonda (Photo: INDIA New England)
Satish Tadikonda (Photo: INDIA New England)

TiE ScaleUp works closely with select companies and mentor them to refine their business model, obtain access to capital and tap into a peer network for ongoing support.

Satish Tadikonda, an entrepreneur and TiE-Boston charter member, said the TiE ScaleUp program started in 2015 and has been very successful.  Fourteen companies have already graduated from this program.

Tadikonda, who has been one of the main organizers of this program at TiE-Boston, said that many companies fail even after getting early seed stage capital.

“They need to learn how to refine their pitch and think through their future financing needs,” Tadikonda told INDIA New England News. “We made an assumption that after starting a company and raising the seed capital, the entrepreneur has passed the early test and now needs focused mentoring, and that is what we provide at TiE ScaleUp.”

He said a number of experts from various business disciplines and entrepreneurs come together and create an intense five-month program. The next TiE ScaleUp program starts in June. The deadline for application is May 20. For more information, visit www.TieScaleUp.org.

TiE ScaleUp begins the program with an initial pitch to venture capitalists and angel investors, and then taps into Boston’s academics and subject matter experts to deliver a curriculum tailored to the challenges faced by companies looking to scale.

The five-month program also includes mentorship, access to funding sources and executive roundtables, culminating with a Demo Day to leaders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, according to the organization’s website.

The companies which have been part of this program include Antera, ArtLifting, Biena, Birdzi, DropWise, Energysage, QMedic, Repsly, RueBaRue, Spot, Streetscan, VocalID, Zakipoint Health, and ZyPit.

The program consist of 10 workshops, 800 hours of mentorship over five month, 2 invite-only demo days with over 100 investors from top venture capital firms and angel groups from New England, 6-plus new investor connections per company, and five sessions of peer-to-peer learning through CEO roundtables.