Dr. Nandini Menon
Lead Instructor
Chief Education Officer, Serial Entrepreneur, Product Designer, Sustainability Changemaker, Formulator.
TiE Young Entrepreneurs · New Jersey
TYE EntrepreneurshipAcademy
Our mission: to inspire, challenge, and empower high school students to become the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders.
Oct 2026 – May 2027 14 Sundays · 10 AM – 3 PM Somerset, NJ
Who We Are
A Global Program for Future Founders
The TYE Entrepreneurship Academy is a global program dedicated to fostering future generations of industry leaders by teaching high school students the rewards and challenges of becoming an entrepreneur. During the program, student teams utilize modern skills and tools to build a concept using customer feedback, iteration, and lightweight business models. Open to students in 8th–12th grade interested in entrepreneurship, STEM or business.
15+
Years of proven curriculum
8th–12th
Grades eligible to apply
Global
Path to the TYE Global Competition
Why Join TYE NJ
What Every Student Gains
Build a real startup with a team
Rigorous business curriculum proven over 15+ years
Develop confidence and leadership skills
Learn directly from startup founders and industry experts
Collaborate with students passionate about STEM
Connect with a dedicated mentor who coaches your team
Professional development workshops: networking, interviewing, LinkedIn and more
Compete for seed funding and represent New Jersey at the TYE Global Competition
Finalists pitch at Middlesex Innovation Center for seed funding — and the first-place team represents New Jersey at the TYE Global Competition.
Program Details
Fourteen Sundays. One Real Startup.
2026–27 Session Dates
Alternating Sundays, 10 AM – 3 PM · Cedar Hill Prep School, Somerset, NJ 08873
Oct 11
Oct 25
Nov 8
Nov 22
Jan 17
Jan 31
Feb 14
Feb 28
Mar 7
Mar 21
Apr 11
Apr 25
May 9
May 23
Finals
Who should apply: any 8th–12th grade student interested in entrepreneurship, STEM, or business.
Each student must register and pay individually. After the first 20 slots are filled, applicants join a wait list. The fee includes a complimentary five-year TiE New Jersey membership for students who successfully complete the program.
TYE is a rigorous program that requires commitment: any student who misses the first two sessions, or more than three total sessions, will no longer be able to participate. Fees, once paid, are non-refundable.
Program Fee
$1,750
Includes all learning materials
Info Session: Sept 26 · 10:30 AM (Zoom)
Application deadline: Sept 30, 2026
Reserve Your SpotMeet the Team
Behind TYE New Jersey 2026–27
Raj Shah
Co-Chair & Mentorship Chair
Principal at Charles River Development (A State Street Company). Investment management technology leader with 15+ years across fintech, operations and entrepreneurship.
Buvana Radhakrishnan
Co-Chair & Mentorship Chair
Data Management & Governance, Analytics, AI Governance Practitioner. A product innovator committed to digital solutions that drive societal impact.
Priya Karthik
Co-Chair & Mentorship Chair
Leadership & Communication Coach and Founder of Enspire Academy NJ.
Syamala Suren · Program Coordinator
Raman Kapur · TiE NJ Board Member
Diya Mathews · TiE NJ President
Guest Speakers
Learn From Founders Who've Done It
To supplement our workshops and inspire our rising entrepreneurs, we invite founders to speak on the challenges and triumphs of building a company.
Lata Setty
VC, Angel Investor, LegalTech Pioneer, Serial Entrepreneur, Board Member, Patent Litigator.
Raj Lakhanpal, MD
Entrepreneur, Clinician, Thought Leader. CEO of SpectraMedix.
Ashok Krish
Founder & CEO of Kaizen Secure Voiz, Yale alum, EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 Finalist, Board Member TiE NJ.
Aruna Dontabhaktuni
Entrepreneur, Innovator, Scientist, Investor. Pharma & biotech consultant with 30+ years in drug development.
Kirthika Parmeswaran
CEO of Vital Start. AI and XR-enhanced employee and family wellbeing.
Avani Modi Sarkar
Inc Female Founders 100, Forbes Next 1000 Honoree, EY Entrepreneur of the Year NJ Finalist, Tory Burch Fellow.
Vinod Borsadiya
Founder & CEO of NasalRx — innovative nasal sprays and smart digital health platforms. Serial entrepreneur in HealthTech and MedTech.
Suresh U. Kumar
Entrepreneur, Professor, Author, Commissioner of the NJ-India Commission, Ex-President & Board Member TiE New Jersey.
Mentors
Guided Every Step of the Way
Each startup team is paired with a dedicated mentor who works with them all the way to the final competition. Our mentors understand every component of building a startup — and they care about creating a supportive learning environment for young people.
Are you a business professional interested in becoming a TYE mentor? Sign up to receive more information.
The New Jersey Competition
At the end of each program cycle, teams pitch their startups before a panel of investors — demoing their products and competing for seed funding. The first-place team from New Jersey is invited to compete against peers from Australia, India, Canada, and other US cities at the TYE Global Competition each summer.
Ready to Build Your First Startup?
Applications for the 2026–27 cohort close September 30, 2026. Only 20 spots available.
Apply Now