Hyderabad, Oct 13: Bringing together organisations from across Hyderabad’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, the Hyderabad Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Collective (HEEC), an initiative of TiE Hyderabad, has announced the next edition of the Hyderabad Entrepreneurship Summit (HES 2026), scheduled for November 20, 2026, at HICC Novotel, Hyderabad. Visit https://www.hes.events for more details
Launched at last year’s Hyderabad Entrepreneurship Summit, HEEC is a collaborative platform designed to bring together organisations working across entrepreneurship, startups, investment, industry, innovation, research and business development. Its objective is to foster collaboration, inclusivity and shared growth by encouraging institutions that often operate independently to work towards a common vision for Hyderabad’s entrepreneurial future. HEEC continues to add more partners to its collective.
Hosted by TiE Hyderabad and promoted by HEEC, HES 2026 is expected to bring together more than 2,000 entrepreneurs and business leaders, 120+ investors, 80+ speakers and 31+ partners.
The Summit will feature investor and business networking, masterclasses, leadership conversations, startup showcases, pitching opportunities, exhibitions and engagement with the global entrepreneurial ecosystem.
HES 2026 aims to connect entrepreneurs with investors, mentors, customers, corporates, technology partners and institutions, creating opportunities for collaboration that extend beyond the event itself. Its broader ambition is to help Hyderabad build a more inclusive, growth-oriented and globally connected entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The November 20 date places HES 2026 within Global Entrepreneurship Week (November 16–22, 2026), a worldwide campaign powered by the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN). The campaign celebrates entrepreneurship and connects entrepreneurs with the networks, resources and support they need to start and grow businesses.
GEN is an international organisation that connects entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, mentors and business-support organisations to strengthen entrepreneurship ecosystems worldwide.
By aligning the Summit with this global campaign, HES 2026 seeks to bring greater visibility to Hyderabad’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and encourage connections between local businesses and the wider global community.
“November 20 is an important date for Hyderabad because it places HES 2026 within Global Entrepreneurship Week, a global moment that celebrates entrepreneurship and the ecosystems that enable entrepreneurs to build and grow. For HEEC, this makes the date especially meaningful. We are delighted that TiE Hyderabad is hosting and anchoring HES this year, and we thank the TiE Hyderabad team for bringing the ecosystem together on this important platform,” said Rajesh Pagadala, Chair, HEEC and Co-Convener, HES 2026.
For Hyderabad, the opportunity extends beyond hosting a Summit. It is about exploring what the city can achieve when entrepreneurs, investors, corporates, institutions and ecosystem enablers work together to create new businesses, attract capital, generate employment and expand into new markets.
HES 2026 is built around three priorities: INCLUSIVE • SCALE • LEADERSHIP, reflecting the need to bring the ecosystem together, help businesses grow and strengthen Hyderabad’s position as an entrepreneurial centre.
“This year, HES is built around a simple but powerful idea: INCLUSIVE • SCALE • LEADERSHIP. Inclusion is about bringing the entire entrepreneurial ecosystem into the room; scale is about helping businesses move from potential to enduring growth; and leadership is about creating the conditions for Hyderabad to emerge as a leading entrepreneurial capital. Our ambition is not just to host a successful Summit, but to strengthen the connections that can help Hyderabad build what comes next,” said Murali Kakarla, President, TiE Hyderabad and Convener, HES 2026.
Entrepreneurship does not happen in isolation. Founders need access to investors, customers, mentors, employees, technology partners, corporates, academic institutions, government, incubators and accelerators.
HES 2026 seeks to bring these stakeholders together, enabling entrepreneurs to build relationships, explore partnerships, access expertise and identify opportunities for growth.
The focus extends beyond starting businesses to building enterprises that can grow, generate employment, attract investment, enter new markets and sustain long-term success.
The Summit will address themes including growth capital, market access, technology, talent, governance, acquisitions, global expansion and the leadership capabilities required to scale businesses. Rather than functioning solely as a pitching forum, HES 2026 aims to facilitate meaningful business relationships and conversations that support sustainable growth.
Hyderabad has the opportunity to build a distinctive identity as an entrepreneurial capital. This will depend on the businesses it creates, the investments it attracts, the opportunities it generates and the strength of the ecosystem supporting its entrepreneurs.
HES 2026 seeks to bring together the people and institutions committed to shaping this future. The message “Bet on Hyderabad” captures this ambition, inviting entrepreneurs, investors, corporates, institutions and ecosystem partners to recognise the opportunities emerging from the city and participate in its next phase of growth.
“HES is about bringing the strength of Hyderabad’s entrepreneurial ecosystem together to create meaningful connections and opportunities. TiE50 and the HES Awards will recognise outstanding entrepreneurs and companies, while the wider Summit will connect founders at all stages with capital, markets, mentors and business leaders who can help them scale,” said Ravi Chennupati, Vice President, TiE Hyderabad and CoConvener, HES 2026.
The Summit will culminate in the Celebrating Entrepreneurship Dinner, a gala evening bringing together the entrepreneurial community for recognition, celebration and networking
Through its sessions, showcases and networking opportunities, HES 2026 aims to strengthen connections between founders and investors, entrepreneurs and mentors, startups and corporates, and technology businesses and potential partners. The objective is to create relationships and opportunities that continue well beyond the Summit.
