February 8, 2008

(Toronto, February 5, 2008) – 200 entrepreneurs are competing in the TiEQuest 2008 Business Venture Competition that closed on Jan 31, 2008.  This tops the 185 entrepreneurs who participated last year.  Over the next ten weeks, these entrepreneurs will be pitching 90 different business ventures to a panel of judges comprised of successful entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, fund managers and other business leaders.  The winners will be selected on April 10, 2008, and will be announced at a gala dinner on April 12, 2008.  The winners will receive the Ontario Entrepreneurship Trophy, $150,000 in prizes and the opportunity of a $1 million investment from sponsoring funds.  "The consistently strong response from entrepreneurs has made TiEQuest one of the most competitive business venture competitions in North America", stated Suresh Madan, Chair of TiEQuest.  "Entrepreneurs from 22 different cities across North America are participating this year.  While the majority of the entrepreneurs are from Ontario, there are also entrepreneurs from California, Atlanta, Alberta, Quebec and Manitoba participating."  "TiE has established a panel of seasoned mentors from among its Charter Members who will guide contestants to further refine and present their business ventures to judges and sponsoring firms," stated Hari Venkatacharya, President of TiE Toronto.  "The companies competing this year are in a number of diverse sectors including IT services, healthcare, cleantech, consumer and lifestyle.  We will be matching our mentors with competing entrepreneurs to ultimately help them succeed both in TiEQuest and in their business ventures."   For additional information, please contact:  Suresh Madan Chair, TiEQuest, Tel:  416-964-6253; E-mail:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.