When I first joined TiE Women Global, I was drawn by its mission: to create opportunities for women entrepreneurs worldwide. Over time, it’s become much more than an initiative. It’s a thriving, global ecosystem — and I’ve had the privilege of seeing that ecosystem in action once again at TiEcon 2025.
At this year’s conference, I was reminded of how far women entrepreneurs have come — and how powerful our momentum can be when combined with inclusive innovation, mentorship, and community.
TiE Women Global: Building a Platform, Creating Ripples
TiE Women Global was founded on a simple truth: talent is universal, but opportunity is not. Around the world, countless women are building remarkable businesses — yet too often without the funding, mentorship, or networks traditionally extended to male founders.
TiE Women Global is changing that narrative.
Through global pitch competitions, accelerator programs, and mentorship initiatives, we’re helping women access the capital and community they need to thrive. As Co-Chair, I’ve seen women go from concept to scale — launching products, closing funding rounds, forming cross-border partnerships, and expanding into global markets.
More importantly, I’ve seen them lead. When women lead, they do more than build companies—they build ecosystems.
A Personal Connection
Serving as Co-Chair of TiE Women Global, mentoring women founders has been one of the most rewarding and meaningful chapters in my professional journey. In this role, I’ve had the opportunity to support women entrepreneurs across geographies and industries, helping them refine strategies, secure intellectual property, and prepare for global scale. These weren’t just coaching conversations but mission-critical moments that shaped companies and careers.
What’s more, mentorship has never been a one-way street.
Working with these remarkable women has expanded my own perspective on leadership and innovation. Their creativity, grit, and ability to navigate systemic barriers — from limited funding access to cultural expectations — inspire me every single day.
Their journeys echo the broader themes of TiEcon 2025, which is that the future of entrepreneurship belongs to bold, adaptive, and deeply empathetic entrepreneurs.
TiEcon 2025: A Masterclass in Evolved Leadership
This year’s TiEcon featured some of the most compelling speakers I’ve heard in years. Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, received the TiE Lifetime Achievement Award and shared a deeply thoughtful fireside chat. One insight that stuck with me: empathy is a critical ingredient in entrepreneurship. He joked about “having empathy for log files,” but the message was clear — real innovation comes from deeply understanding your customer’s pain. That kind of empathy isn’t just admirable; it’s transformative.
Lip-Bu Tan, Executive Chairman of Cadence and now CEO of Intel, discussed the power of long-term leadership — not just building companies, but turning them around with vision, persistence, and clarity.
Vivek Ranadivé, founder and owner of the Sacramento Kings, described himself as “Version 5.0,” an evolved leader shaped by transformation. It struck a chord. Many of the women I mentor are constantly navigating multiple versions of themselves — founder, parent, investor, advocate — often all in one day.
Finally, one panel on entrepreneurship in the AI era made this bold prediction:
“The next unicorn will have fewer than 10 employees.”
In a world shaped by AI and automation, agility and clarity of purpose are the new scale.
Why TiE Women Matters — More Than Ever
Despite progress, women founders still face an uphill climb:
- Less than 3% of global venture capital goes to women-led startups.
- Women are underrepresented in boardrooms and on pitch stages.
- Structural barriers still shape how and where women can grow their businesses.
That’s why TiE Women matters. It’s not just a program. It’s an ecosystem. One that fosters capital, credibility, and connection — while also amplifying women’s leadership in AI, climate tech, digital health, and other rapidly evolving spaces.
We’re not only helping women get a seat at the table — we’re helping them build the table.
Looking Ahead
As the world evolves, so must entrepreneurship. And women will be at the heart of that evolution.
TiE Women Global remains committed to supporting and scaling women-led innovation. I’m proud to be part of that mission — and grateful to have seen it reflected so powerfully at TiEcon 2025.
Empathy. Resilience. Reinvention. These aren’t just traits we admire — they’re the blueprint for the next generation of global leaders.
Have you had a mentor, event, or organization shape your journey as a founder or leader? I’d love to hear your story — let’s connect and keep building bridges.