Asian Immigrant Entrepreneurs in Cleveland

Robert Smith write for the Plain Dealer:

A rust belt city just gained some impressive, high-tech credentials and folks with a global view plan to celebrate.

Cleveland is home to the newest chapter of TiE, The Indus Entrepreneurs, a trade group that represents many of the people driving the new economy.

Founded 15 years ago in Silicon Valley, TiE gatherings became the place for Asian Indian immigrants to meet and mentor one another as they founded companies like Sun Microsystems and Hotmail.

This fall, Cleveland became home to the 50th TiE chapter and the only chapter in Ohio. The people who made it happen expect the prestigious trademark to stoke new energy and jobs.

“The TiE brand is a beacon for entrepreneurs,” said Eddy Zai, a local entrepreneur who will co-chair the Cleveland TiE chapter with Baiju Shah, president and CEO of BioEnterprise.

They and other charter members, including Ohio Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, will launch the chapter in festive fashion Monday, Dec. 8, at the House of Blues in downtown Cleveland. Click here for the column.

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