By Suchitra Srinivas
New York: TEFCON, the entrepreneurs’ conference of the Tamil Diaspora is all geared for its meeting in New York on July 1st as part of the Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America’s (FeTNA) 35th annual convention.
“Over 600 registrations have been received so far and expected to go higher but we are keeping the numbers down to a safe limit considering the Covid concerns,” said entrepreneur Kathirvel Kumararaja, Chairman, TEFCON.
The first in-person convention coming after the Covid years is being received with a lot of expectations and enthusiasm, he said.
TEFCON will put to spotlight the successful entrepreneurs from the community and will also provide an opportunity for incubation of business ideas.
TEF Junior is an important event where 6th to 12th graders, looking to monetize their business ideas, will pitch for investments.
Venture capitalists and a major supporter of TEFCON Nanban Foundation, and Hourglass Ventures, from Silicon Valley who funds and mentors the young organizations are among prominent players present at the convention.
Jay Vijayan, ex-employee of Tesla and Founder and CEO of Tekion; Bobby Balachandran, Founder and CEO of Exterro Inc; M R Rangaswami, Founder, Indiaspora; His Holiness AasaanJi, founder, Atma Yoga Foundation; actor, politician and entrepreneur Napoleon are among the speakers.
Dr. Jeyaranjan, Vicechair Person, TN state Development Policy Council and Shivaraja Ramanathan, CEO of Tamil Nādu startup Innovation Mission are among the dignitaries from Tamil Nadu attending the TEFCON.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams will be the special guest.
