Tie50

TiE50 is TiE Silicon Valley’s premier annual awards program, contested by several early to mid-stage startups worldwide. Participating technology startups benefit from significant exposure to venture capitalists, angels, and entrepreneurs; in-person product showcasing, and business partnering/networking.

Now in the sixteen year, the prestigious TiE50 awards recognize the top technology and technology-enabled startups. We invite all startups worldwide to participate, particularly early-stage companies.

Since the inception of the TiE50 program, about 85% of the winners and top startups have been funded with over a billion dollars. Many of these companies got acquired or went IPO. At least 29 of the exits were over $100 Million, e.g., FireEye (IPO), Mulesoft (IPO), Pearl Therapeutics (acquired by Astra Zeneca), and Velocloud (acquired by VMware).

TiE SV and the TiE50 program is also in partnership with the “Meet the Drapers” show. Approximately 10 to 12 companies from the 50 winners will be selected by the Draper Team to pitch to them at TiEcon 2024 and have a chance to win a spot for the Casting on season 7 of “Meet the Drapers” show.

How does TiE50 work?

A select panel of experts, including venture capitalists, angel investors, corporate executives, and successful entrepreneurs will screen the companies on TheBizPlanner Competition edition. Scoring is done on each company’s IP, business model, traction, and team. This process weeds through the applicant pool to select the very best startup finalists.

The selected startups will pitch on May 2nd at TiEcon 2024 with a 3 minute video recording and will have the opportunity for live Q&A.

Application Benefits

  • 1 Free Pass to attend TiEcon conference
  • Discounted additional passes to TiEcon
  • Discounted expo booth 
  • Discounted Startup Bootcamp
  • Discounted VC Connect

Winner Benefits

  • Opportunity to network with Venture Capitalists, Angel Investors, and some of the brightest minds of Silicon Valley
  • $800+ VALUE encompassing Annual Membership to TiE Silicon Valley chapter for 1 team member ($150 value), One Complimentary pass to TiEcon 2024 ($329 value), discounted prices for additional team members to attend TiEcon 2024 and discounted rates for VC Connect & TiEcon Expo ($300 value), & Complimentary Mentor Connect ($49 value)
  • Year rounding branding on TiEcon website
  • Others Benefits from sponsors to be announced

TiE50 winner showcase & Virtual awards ceremony

TiE50 winners will be announced by email and on the website on April XX. Winner Showcase (3 min presentation and 2 min. live Q&A with investors for feedback) will be held on Thursday, May 2. The Awards Ceremony will be announced after the opening Grand Keynote on Thursday, May 2 at 9:00 AM.

How do I qualify?

Companies must be privately held and of good legal standing.

How do I apply?

TiE50 has partnered with TheBizPlanner for the infrastructure to run the awards program. All 2024 applicants must apply and register on TheBizPlanner to apply for the TiE50 Awards Program.

Who are the judges?

Judges’ identities, their affiliations, company representations, scoring patterns, and all information related to their participation in the TiE50 selection process are confidential. Each external judge will work independently and will not know the scores or identities of the other judges. External judges are selected only by invitation and are subject to TiE Silicon Valley’s strict confidentiality and disclosure guidelines.

How to Register?

  • A nominal application fee includes one complimentary single two-day pass to the TiECon 2024 conference, discounted Virtual Expo, VC Connect, and complimentary Mentor Connect.

  • Incomplete nominations or incorrect contact details automatically disqualify the registry. No further contact will be made. Successfully completed registrations with fully paid application fee are automatically confirmed by email. Any individual, founder, CTO, or authorized representative of a technology start-up can register their company.

  • Nominating individuals must use a website domain email address.

  • Awards Program Recognizing World’s Technology Startups

Application fee

Apply on TheBizPlanner website and pay for the application fee to successfully submit your application.

    • $249 Early Bird Pricing by March 8th- Back by popular demand & courtesy of our sponsors
    • $299 by March 15th
    • $399 by March 25th
    • $459 by April 1st
    • $549 by April 7th

Important Deadlines

  • Registration open: Thursday, February 1 at 8:00 am PST
  • Registration close: Monday, April 8 at 11:59 pm PST
  • Winner announcement: Wednesday, April 17th ***Winners will be announced by email and on our website***
  • TiE50 Showcase: Day, May 2  from Time PST
  • Awards Ceremony: Day, May 2 at Time PST
  • Meet the Drapers: Day, May 2 at Time PST 
  • Sponsored Networking Lunch: Day, May 2 at 1:00 pm PST

    Sponsors