TieCon Midwest 2009 Gave Meaning to Words

Our language has many powerful words. Some of those words that stand out are perseverance, audacity and resilience. Words are a combination of letters. They have no meaning in themselves unless they are demonstrated by action. If I had to mention the most important lesson that I learned by attending TiECON Midwest 2009, that will be my understanding of the meanings of those powerful words.

The event in itself was a testimonial to the perseverance of men and women who made it happen in the face of the worst economy faced by our nation in general and the state of Michigan in particular since the Great Depression of the last century. I have been a witness to the pain and agony that the organizers and volunteers of TiE Detroit went through in organizing the workgroup, contacting the media, getting sponsors, inviting the keynote speakers, segmenting the seminar into key technologies, coming up with the ideas of having ‘Business Boot Camp, PowerConnect, Women’s Forum and Business Plan Competition’ and marketing the event. In the end, we relished the ecstasy of achievement. I do not have to consult a dictionary to understand the meaning of perseverance anymore.

Entering the halls of Ritz-Carlton in Dearborn, Michigan was an energizing experience. The stories told inside could move mountains. Vinita Gupta’s leadership at Quick Eagle Network in taking worldwide leadership in wide area network (WAN), Lesa Mitchel’s defining and codifying alternative commercialization pathways and Josh Linkner’s identifying creativity as the next frontier (preceded by farming, industrialization and information technologies) were a few examples of leading through new ideas and innovation. Their boldness combined with the efforts of the exhibitors and sponsors and their faith in the community and their endeavor in creating the future gave a very clear meaning to audacity.

The Midwest 20 Industry Awards was a new feature added to TiE Midwest Conference. The idea was to acknowledge excellence among 20 startups within five identified segments: Software, Wireless, Cleantech, Media and Life Sciences. The very zeal and participation of the startup companies were a lesson in how to face adversity. I learned how the entrepreneurs perceive difficult times as an opportunity for change and innovation. I wondered what enables them to do so? As I was going through the thought process, I understood the meaning of resilience.


Yes, there were people like me who only participated and watched. I think we also contributed as John Milton wrote in Paradise Lost, “They also serve who only stand and wait.” Yes, words get meanings only when we put legs to ideas through entrepreneurship.