TiE Student Entrepreneurs

Fostering Entrepreneurship

TiE Student Entrepreneurs - Vancouver

TSE Cohort 9:
Road to Silicon Valley

Applications are now open

Pitch your startup in the startup capital of the world.

TiE Vancouver is looking for its next student founders. Join Cohort 9, get mentored by experienced entrepreneurs, pitch at our local chapter finals, and compete for a place on the global stage in Silicon Valley.

Apply
About TSE

Empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs

TiE Student Entrepreneurs (TSE) Vancouver is part of TiE Global's initiative designed to fast-track collegiate entrepreneurs' innovative ideas into market-ready ventures. Over the course of eight months, selected students from colleges across Western Canada will gain the tools, mentorship, and network to turn their startup visions into real-world impact.

Through mentorship, education, investment readiness, and hands-on learning, TSE Vancouver connects academia with the entrepreneurial ecosystem - empowering the next generation of innovators to scale with confidence.

Mentorship - the spark that ignites innovation

Mentorship is the heartbeat of TSE Vancouver. Our ecosystem is built on deep, meaningful relationships between experienced mentors and budding student founders. Every workshop, pitch competition, and bootcamp is designed to foster trust, guidance, and shared learning - because we believe mentorship makes the difference between a good idea and a great company.

Vision

To empower student entrepreneurs in Western Canada to transform innovative ideas into scalable ventures through mentorship, education, and industry connections.

Mission

TSE Vancouver supports students with innovative ideas by providing mentorship, global networks, and practical learning to launch impactful, investor-ready businesses.

Benefits
1-on-1 mentoringFrom experienced entrepreneurs in the TiE Vancouver community.
World-class workshopsCovering diverse topics, from idea to scale.
Exclusive masterclassesBy founders, investors and ecosystem partners.
Compete globallyA truly global competition, with peers from 18 countries.
Investor & angel accessConnect with angels and VCs (Demo-Day Track).
Lifelong alumni statusLifelong access to the global TiE network.
Who can apply

Current undergraduate and postgraduate students, PhD scholars, and founders who graduated within the last two calendar years.

Good to know: TSE Vancouver is a volunteer-led entrepreneurship program of TiE Vancouver, a chapter of TiE Global. It is not an academic institution and does not grant degrees, credits or accredited qualifications.

Choose the track that fits you

Core Track

Early-stage ventures led by current student founders (idea, prototype or MVP stage).

  • All founders are current undergraduate or postgraduate students (excluding MBA)
  • Early customer discovery and validation
  • First-time founders; no external funding raised
  • No more than $25,000 in prize money received

Open Track

Student-led ventures with an MVP or product in market and early customer validation.

  • At least one founder is a current student or graduated within the last two academic years
  • All students eligible, including PhD scholars
  • Under $25,000 in grants and/or prizes; no equity raised

Demo-Day Track

Student-led startups with proven traction, raised equity or more than $25,000 in grants or prizes.

  • At least one founder is a current student or program alumnus
  • Investor-ready and seeking scale

*Final track placement is decided by TiE based on your application.

What's at stake
$20,000 Cash and in-kind prizes for the Core and Open Tracks
$100,000+ Equity investment opportunities for the Demo-Day Track
Top 6 Teams pitch to investors and TiE Global members in Silicon Valley
Key dates
01
Oct 1 - Dec 31, 2026Applications openTell us about your team, idea and traction
02
Jan - Mar 2027Acceleration cohortVirtual global masterclasses every Friday, plus hybrid sessions and 1-on-1 mentoring with TiE Vancouver
03
March 2027Vancouver chapter finalsIn person - selects our teams to advance
04
April/May 2027Global semifinalsVirtual - chapter winners compete for the finale
05
May 2027Global finaleTop 6 pitch on the main stage in Silicon Valley; all semifinalists exhibit in the pavilion
Meet the TSE Vancouver team

Empowering student entrepreneurs - one venture at a time.

Pankaj Bagga
Pankaj Bagga Vice President, TiE Vancouver & Chapter Lead, TSE Vancouver LinkedIn profile
Tabissh Czar
Tabissh Czar Chapter Lead, TSE Vancouver LinkedIn profile
Gurwinder Singh
Gurwinder Singh Co-Lead, TSE Vancouver LinkedIn profile
Meer Anwar
Meer Anwar Co-Lead, TSE Vancouver LinkedIn profile
Purva Arora
Purva Arora Co-Lead, TSE Vancouver LinkedIn profile
Kriti Dewan
Kriti Dewan Co-Lead, TSE Vancouver LinkedIn profile

Have an idea? It's not too early.

Apply before December 31.

Apply
TiE Vancouver - Fostering Entrepreneurship

Questions? Contact TiE Vancouver at [email protected]

Empower. Connect. Grow

Programs Designed to Inspire, Support, and Scale Entrepreneurs

Connecting you to mentorship, funding, and a global network — TiE programs accelerate every stage of your entrepreneurial journey

Voices of Impact

We are proud to spotlight Sophia Miller as a shining example of the spirit and tenacity behind the TSE founders. 

Love the problem, not your solution. Get feedback from your customers as often and as early as possible. Iterate and stay open minded.
Sophia Millar
Sophia MillarCEO at Sonibel Instruments