BOSTON—TiE Boston announced that healthcare technology entrepreneur and AI leader Jeff Elton will deliver the midday keynote and serial entrepreneur David Friend will deliver the closing keynote at TiECON East 2026 on Friday, October 2, 2026, at the Burlington Marriott Hotel in Burlington, Massachusetts.
Co-hosted by TiE Boston and TiE New York, TiECON East 2026 will bring together founders, investors, operators and innovators for a one-day conference themed “The Next Growth Playbook: Product, Market and Capital in the Age of AI.”
The conference will focus on how entrepreneurs are using artificial intelligence to drive growth, strengthen competitive advantages and build sustainable businesses, with an emphasis on practical execution and real-world company building.
Elton is Vice Chairman and former Founding CEO of ConcertAI, a healthcare AI company that applies generative and agentic AI to accelerate drug development, optimize clinical trials and improve patient outcomes. He also serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, or MassBio.
His keynote, “The AI Opportunity in Life Sciences: What’s Real and What’s Next,” will examine where AI is already creating measurable value, the opportunities and challenges ahead, and what founders, investors and industry leaders should watch as the technology transforms drug development, clinical research and healthcare delivery.
Friend is co-founder, President and CEO of Wasabi Technologies and has founded or co-founded six technology companies spanning cloud infrastructure, software, communications, cybersecurity and music technology.
His closing keynote, “Building Companies That Hold Up Over Time,” will explore the principles that distinguish enduring companies. Drawing on decades of entrepreneurial experience, Friend will discuss leading through change, maintaining relevance and trust, testing assumptions and creating long-term value in an era shaped by AI.
TiECON East 2026 will also feature discussions among founders, investors and industry leaders on AI-enabled product development, go-to-market strategy, capital efficiency, scaling organizations and leadership.
“The most valuable lessons often come from leaders who have successfully steered multiple waves of innovation,” said Ameeta Soni, Chair of TiECON East 2026. “Jeff Elton and David Friend bring deep experience building companies, scaling innovation, and creating long-term value. We are excited to have them share their perspectives with founders, investors, and operators managing the opportunities and challenges of the AI era.”
TiECON East 2026 will take place on October 2, 2026, at the Burlington Marriott Hotel in Burlington, Massachusetts.
For registration and additional information, visit TiECon East.
Founded in 1997, TiE Boston connects entrepreneurs, executives, investors and innovators through mentorship, education, networking and community engagement programs that foster entrepreneurship and innovation. TiE New York is a volunteer-led nonprofit organization supporting entrepreneurs throughout the Greater New York region through mentorship, education, funding connections and other resources as part of the global TiE network.
