TiE Detroit Announces Sam Pitroda as Grand Keynote Speaker for TiECon Midwest 2016

Sam Pitroda, an entrepreneur, father of Indian telecom, author and policymaker will be Grand Keynote Speaker at Ignite2Disrupt.

FARMINGTON HILLS , MICHIGAN, U.S., September 19, 2016 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The Detroit chapter of TiE, largest non-profit entrepreneurial organization, announced Sam Pitroda as the grand keynote speaker for TiECon Midwest 2016¹, Michigan’s largest conference to be held October 27 and 28, 2016 at The Henry, Dearborn. The announcement was made by TiE Detroit² President, Tel Ganesan.

“We’re thrilled to have Sam Pitroda address TiECon Midwest 2016 gathering. Hailing from Chicago, starting, running and owning several business operations related to national and global developments in telecommunication’s and technology makes Mr. Pitroda an ideal keynote candidate. As "the man who connected India" and the "father of Indian Telecom", his keynote will be so timely and relevant to TiECon with the key theme "connected world, connected technologies". He will motivate and inspire the entrepreneurs with proven advice and winning business strategies to help them identify opportunities and position their business for future growth.”, said Tel Ganesan, President TiE Detroit.

Mr. Sam Pitroda is an internationally respected telecom inventor, entrepreneur, development thinker, and policy maker who has spent 50 years in information and communications technology (ICT) and related global and national developments. Credited with having laid the foundation for India’s telecommunications and technology revolution of the 1980s, Mr. Pitroda has been a leading campaigner to help bridge the global digital divide. During his tenure as Advisor to Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Mr. Pitroda led six technology missions related to telecommunications, water, literacy, immunization, dairy production, and oil seeds. He was also the founder and first Chairman of India’s Telecom Commission. In these plural roles, Mr. Pitroda helped revolutionize India's development philosophies and policies with a focus on access to technology as the key to social change. He served as the Chairman of the Smart Grid Task Force, as well as the committees to reform public broadcasting, modernize railways, deliver e-governance, and other developmental activities.

Mr. Pitroda is a Founding Chairman of five non-profit organizations including the India Food Bank, the Global Knowledge Initiative and the Institute of Transdisciplinary Health. He is also a founding Commissioner of the United Nations Broadband Commission for Digital Development and Chairman of the International Telecommunication Union’s m-Powering Development Board that looks to empower developing countries with the use of mobile technology. In addition, Mr. Pitroda is a serial entrepreneur having started several companies in the United States. He holds around 20 honorary PhD’s, close to 100 worldwide patents, and has published five books and numerous papers and lectured widely all over the world.

In accepting the invitation to be the grand keynote speaker, Sam Pitroda said, “I am excited to share my entrepreneurial journey from Odisha to USA, and the return to India with a desire to contribute to India’s development. With big dreams, I lived in multiple countries, different cultures – and multiple realities, built a network of connections and contacts with global leaders and champions. I had lots of energy and focus, and learned lessons on technology,entrepreneurship, innovations and leadership to get things done against all the odds of the world stacked up against me. My advice to my fellow entrepreneurs is don’t worry about destinations and results but enjoy the journey in the process to build your legacy.”


TiECon Midwest 2016 will bring together TiE members, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, top industry executives and thought leaders in two action-packed days. TiECon Midwest provides a unique opportunity to exchange ideas, explore new businesses, discuss emerging technologies, share growth strategies and obtain insight from global business leaders, community leaders and worldwide experts. The conference will also host “TiE20", which will showcase the most promising 20 start-up companies across TiECon Midwest's five focus segments: IOT/ Sensors, Fintech, Transportation / Mobility, Health / Fitness and Manufacturing Devices/ Augmented Reality / Artificial Intelligence .

Online registration and more information are immediately available for TiECon Midwest 2016 at www.tieconmidwest.org . For more information about the conference, please contact Sarah Myrand, TiE Detroit (248) 254-4043 or via e-mail at sarahm@kyyba.com

About TiECon Midwest 2016
TiECon Midwest 2016 is Michigan’s largest entrepreneurial conference, attracting hundreds of entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and other professionals. This year’s theme is Ignite2Disrupt. Connected World. Connected Technologies. Our three main tracks will focus on Connected Mobility, Connected Health and Global Connectivity. This year’s TiECon Midwest is being held on Oct 27-28, 2016 at "The Henry", Dearborn. For more information, visit http://www.tieconmidwest.org/

About TiE
TiE is a global, not-for-profit, non-political, and non-religious organization dedicated to fostering entrepreneurs across its international network sponsored by top Venture Capital Firms, and Fortune 500 corporations; spread across 61 chapters in 18 countries comprising 2500 experienced entrepreneurs and business executives as charter members, 13000 aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals as members. TiE has grown to become the world’s largest non-profit organization for entrepreneurs. For more information, visit http://www.detroit.tie.org/

Sarah Myrand
TiE Detroit
(248) 254-4043
email us here

¹ http://www.tieconmidwest.org/
² http://www.detroit.tie.org/