Dean Walsh is Program Manager for TiE Boston’s TiE ScaleUp accelerator, which provides mentorship and curriculum to startup founders across all sectors, helping them navigate from the seed-funding to Series A stage. He told us about the work he’s doing–and why he is passionate about it.
Q: Can you tell us what TiE stands for?
A: TiE stands for “The Indus Entrepreneurs.” It’s a global organization with chapters all around the world, primarily focused on South Asian and Indian entrepreneurs who often emigrate for advanced degrees, then develop companies that scale and have successful exits. Our nonprofit mission is centered around fostering entrepreneurship.
Q: What are some new and exciting things coming out of TiE ScaleUp?
A: One of the most exciting programs is Cohort 10, which is launching in November. Additionally, our Boston chapter has re-initiated special interest groups, which we used to do some years ago. These groups focus primarily on real estate and materials and manufacturing. They’ve been gaining traction and engaging our network on topics they are most interested in.
Q: What drew you to this work?
A: The sheer variety is what initially drew me to this job. In one day, I might meet with medical device experts, property tech innovators, cybersecurity specialists, and more—all in rapid succession, which keeps me energized. I was curious about working for a startup, but wanted to see more of the landscape to help determine which companies and sectors would be the best fit for me.
Q: Why is this work important to you, and why did you choose it over other career paths?
A: I strongly believe in the significance of economic development, and startups are a crucial part of that equation. While companies with venture-scale returns are important, I also value small businesses that contribute to local communities. Personally, I’m inclined toward ambitious projects that are audacious and challenging to pull off. I particularly enjoy working with research spinouts and learning about how they can commercialize their innovations.
Q: Are there any particular challenges or issues in the startup world that you’re working to address?
A: Currently, one of the issues I’m deeply passionate about is the funding gap for female founders. The funding discrimination that exists upstream makes it challenging to find enough female founders with the necessary resources to participate in our seed-focused accelerator program. Achieving better gender equity in entrepreneurship and funding is a significant challenge that needs attention.
It’s essential to create an inclusive environment where female founders have equal access to resources and opportunities. This requires collective efforts to address and rectify existing disparities.
Are you working to find connections, community, and opportunity as a Massachusetts startup founder? Join MFN and get access to experts, networking opportunities, and connections within the statewide entrepreneur ecosystem.