MARCH 2026 UPDATES

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear TiE DC Members and Friends,

Momentum is building across TiE DC.

Our March event, hosted by Pillsbury, brought together founders, operators, and leaders for an evening of meaningful conversation and strong connection. We had the privilege of hearing from two exceptional entrepreneurs, Mehul Sanghani and Sonu Singh, who shared candid perspectives on building, scaling, and navigating the realities of entrepreneurship. The energy in the room reflected what this community does best. Thank you to Pillsbury for hosting.

At the same time, TYE 2026 is fully underway at George Mason University. Students are building and learning in real time with the support of dedicated mentors and partners. What stands out is their curiosity, confidence, and willingness to take initiative. The TYE Pitch Competition on April 25 is approaching and will be an important moment for this community to show up and support the next generation of entrepreneurs.

TiE Women, now led by Neeraja Lingam, is a global and growing platform for connection and support. Applications are now open, and I encourage women entrepreneurs to apply.

We are also launching Special Interest Groups (SIGs), led by Manu Uppal, beginning with a curated, trusted vendor ecosystem connecting founders with partners you know, trust, and would confidently recommend.

In April, I will host a Charter Members gathering centered on a focused exchange among entrepreneurs, followed by time to engage more personally and strengthen relationships. An opportunity to share perspectives, deepen connections, and continue building together.

Momentum continues with our annual flagship conference, FedGov Symposium, on June 17^th bringing together government and industry leaders across the DMV’s federal contracting and innovation ecosystem.

Thank you for being part of TiE DC and for continuing to build it forward.

With appreciation,

Raji Bezwada

President, TiE DC

UPCOMING EVENTS

Charter Members Join Us On Sunday, April 19th

Members Circle: Sunday Supper

✨ An evening for real conversation, shared purpose, and the leaders who shape TiE DC.

This intimate gathering brings our Charter Members together for meaningful dialogue in a relaxed, unhurried setting. 🤝

🎤 Featuring insights from:

• Greg Baroni, Founder & CEO, Attain Partners

• Don Irwin, Managing Director, J.P. Morgan Private Bank

Their perspectives on growth, equity, and legacy will open the room for connection and thoughtful exchange. 💬

At its core, the Circle reflects what defines TiE DC: we build our most enduring work together. 🌱

🍽️ Dinner and drinks provided.

Pull up a chair—join us at the table.

⏳ Registration closes April 14.

🔗 Reserve your seat now!

TiE DC March Event at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

🙏 Thank You for an Inspiring Evening

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Building Differentiation that Drives Growth and Enterprise Value hosted by TiE DC. It was a fantastic evening filled with meaningful networking, thoughtful conversation, and powerful entrepreneurial insights.

A special thank you to our incredible speakers:

Mehul Sanghani and Sonu Singh for their candid discussion about building companies with true differentiation, strong culture, and lasting enterprise value provided invaluable lessons for founders, operators, and investors alike.

We are also deeply grateful to our event sponsor, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP whose support makes it possible for us to bring impactful programming and meaningful connections to the entrepreneurial community.

Finally, thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the evening so engaging. We’re proud to continue fostering entrepreneurship through the global network of TiE Global.

Thank you again to our sponsor for this amazing event!

SAVE THE DATE!

FEDGOV SYMPOSIUM

JUNE 17, 2026

SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE!

TiE DC TYE Boot Camp 2026 Nears the Finish Line

As the TiE Young Entrepreneurs (TYE) Boot Camp enters its final phase, the energy and excitement among this year’s cohort continue to build. What began just weeks ago with 31 high school students and 6 dedicated mentors has evolved into a dynamic journey of creativity, collaboration, and entrepreneurial growth.

Since kickoff, students have worked diligently to develop and refine their business ideas—learning how to identify real-world problems, craft solutions, and think critically about bringing their concepts to life. With just one class remaining, along with the practice pitch session and the highly anticipated pitch competition, the program is culminating in a showcase of innovation and hard work.

Through this experiential program led by TiE DC, students have gained invaluable skills in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving—building a strong foundation for their future academic and professional pursuits.

The upcoming pitch competition will highlight the incredible progress these students have made, as they present their ventures to judges, peers, and the broader community.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our mentors for their ongoing commitment and guidance throughout the program. Their support has played a critical role in shaping the confidence and capabilities of each participant.

As we prepare to celebrate the culmination of this year’s program, we look forward to seeing these young entrepreneurs take the stage and bring their ideas to life.

Interested in supporting and shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs? We welcome sponsors and partners to get involved. Please reach out to TiE DC to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.

Thank you to our Venue Sponsor!

SAVE THE DATE!

April 19, 2026	Members Circle: Sunday Supper
April 25, 2026	TYE Pitch Competition
May 19, 2026	M&A, Exit and PE Rollups: Let’s make a Deal: Inside the Mind of Buyers, Sellers & Investors
June 17, 2026	FedGov Symposium - Flagship McLean, VA
June 2026	TYE Global - Seattle, WA
July 3 - 6, 2026	TiE CM Retreat
August 2026	TiE Angels "Pitch" Fair
September 2026	Demo Day - Innovation Day
October 20, 2026	Mentor Match Day
November 2026	Diwala Gala: Founder Showcase & Member Awards
December 2026	Annual Dinner: Year-End Celebration, 2026 Impact and 2027 Roadmap Reveal

TiE Women Program 2026

APPLY TODAY

CHARTER MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

THANK YOU TO OUR RENEWED & NEW CHARTER MEMBERS!

A huge thank you to our renewed members for your loyalty, and a warm welcome to our new members, the DC entrepreneurial ecosystem just got even stronger and more vibrant!

RENEWED CHARTER MEMBERS:

NEW CHARTER MEMBERS:

Ashok Aggarwal

As a co-founder and Managing Partner at M&S Consulting, I have been working with an amazing team building a world-class technology and strategy services organization dedicated to customer satisfaction with a highly talented and dedicated group of enterprise consultants.

In this day-and-age, achieving major impact for customers always involves the use of technology, so I have made it my expertise to understand how to best leverage technology to maximize ROI. I have a solid background with traditional enterprise challenges and also market acumen with the latest trends in business, process, and technology, allowing me to advise customers on the the best way to bring all together.

Along with managing people, projects, and other assets, I like getting my hands dirty and personally delivering solutions since, for some organizations, this is exactly what is needed.

Tim Ma

Raised in Arkansas by Taiwanese immigrant parents in the restaurant business, Ma originally pursued electrical engineering before pivoting to culinary arts, training at the International Culinary Center in New York.

Restaurants: Notable ventures include Lucky Danger (modern American-Chinese), Kyirisan (French-Chinese fusion), and American Son at Eaton DC.
Activism & Sustainability: Co-founded Chefs Stopping AAPI Hate with Kevin Tien to combat anti-Asian racism. He is also known for reducing food waste, supporting DC Central Kitchen, and promoting healthy school meals.
Recognition: Featured in the National Museum of American History's exhibit, *Food: Transforming the American Table*.