Building an Ecosystem

By Nick Stacey

Bellevue, WA — January 13th, 2017 — Moving  forward with plans to build a complete Tech Ecosystem in the Northwest, Bellevue-based Tech Campus extraSlice has partnered with TiE Angel Group’s Seattle chapter to help unite young tech companies with seasoned angels.

extraSlice Co-Founder and Co-CEO Binu Reghunathan says the partnership is part of a grand plan to make it easier for emerging companies to build tomorrow’s technology. “We take pride in having a professional, tech-savvy shared office space, but that’s not our special sauce. What really sets extraSlice apart is the global tech community. We’re building a complete Tech Ecosystem, where emerging companies can find all the resources they need in one spot. Partnering with TiE is a big step towards creating that ecosystem” he said.

“What really sets extraSlice apart is the tech community. We’re building a complete Global Tech Ecosystem, where emerging companies can find all the resources they need in one spot. Partnering with TiE is a big step towards creating that ecosystem”
-extraSlice Co-CEO Binu Reghunathan

In addition to providing funds, Venture Capital and Angel groups provide young companies and their leadership teams with something equally, if not more valuable: experience and expertise. 42% of startups fail due to lack of market need. 29% of startups fail because of lack of capital, and 23% fail because they’ve assembled the wrong team. Adding a team of seasoned investors, with years of expertise, business networks that have been grown and nurtured over the years, as well as capital to fuel strong teams with great ideas, can help alleviate all of those issues.

“Tie-Seattle has found a base in ExtraSlice Bellevue where it can execute on its commitment to foster entrepreneurship by hosting office hours , pitch clinics and panel events on trending topics in technology and investing”
-TiE Seattle President Pradeep Rathinam

TiE Seattle’s President, Pradeep Rathinam, sees the partnership as the perfect opportunity to execute TiE’s dedication to bolstering the entrepreneurial community in the Northwest.
“Tie-Seattle has found a base in ExtraSlice Bellevue where it can execute on its commitment to foster entrepreneurship by hosting office hours , pitch clinics and panel events on trending topics in technology and investing” says Rathinam, whose organization has already arranged for it’s 2017 Investment Outlook Panel to be held at extraSlice on Wednesday, January 18th. TiE Seattle Board member Haresh Ved is no stranger to The Place for Tech, having served as an investor panelist at extraSlice’s Celebrate Summer Pitch Competition, as well as the 1st Annual Bellevue Technology Expo, presented by extraSlice. Ved touched on extraSlice’s Tech Ecosystem office model, looking to establish the Alliance as a key player in that ecosystem:

“TiE Seattle firmly believes in and has focused on fostering meaningful collaborations, to progress the entrepreneur ecosystem and provide our portfolio companies with unimpeded growth opportunities. We are excited to partner with extraSlice as an integral part of this ecosystem to extend our support.”
-TiE Seattle Board Member Haresh Ved

extraSlice and TiE plan to grow this new partnership through events and regular office hours at extraSlice’s South Bellevue office space. Visit seattle.tie.org for more information on TiE, and visit their events page to register for the Investor Outlook Panel 2017.