DEARBORN, MI — October 26, 2010 — MITechNews.com Editor and Publisher Mike Brennan moderated a panel discussion at TiECon Midwest that focused on social media strategy and digital media for startups. The one-hour session took place on October 29 in Salon 5 at The Henry hotel in Dearborn, Michigan (formerly the Ritz-Carlton).

Updated November 2, 2025, to include current branding, links, and context.

About TiE and TiECon Midwest

TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs) is a global nonprofit network founded in Silicon Valley in 1992 to foster entrepreneurship through mentoring, networking, education, and funding. Today, TiE operates in more than 60 cities across 14 countries, supporting over 12,000 members and 3,000 charter members who are top-tier entrepreneurs, investors, and executives.

The Detroit-based chapter, known as TiE Detroit, hosted TiECon Midwest as one of the region’s largest gatherings of entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and technologists. The two-day event, held at The Henry in Dearborn, featured sessions on funding, innovation, and market growth across industries such as mobility, software, and digital media. The 2010 conference also introduced the TiE20 Midwest Startup Awards, recognizing promising startups across Internet, software, mobile, and media verticals. (Archived TiE Detroit site)

Social Media Marketing at TiECon Midwest: How Startups Build Reach, Revenue, and Brand

The session explored how early-stage companies can use social media and digital marketing to gain traction, increase market penetration, and build brand awareness in competitive markets. Panelists shared specific strategies on:

  • Reaching larger audiences using social platforms
  • Using rich digital content and video to accelerate visibility
  • Turning awareness into business opportunities and revenue
  • Positioning a startup brand in a crowded space

As social media platforms were rapidly emerging in 2010, the panel offered practical examples of how startups could integrate these tools into marketing strategies to compete with established brands. Panelists discussed how viral video, digital storytelling, and early analytics tools were shaping the next decade of audience engagement.

TiECon Midwest Insights: Practical Guidance for Startup Founders

Entrepreneurs in attendance heard real-world advice on:

  • How to align social media activity with measurable business goals
  • Benchmarks for what a company should reasonably invest in social media
  • How to make social and digital strategy part of the company’s core marketing plan, not an afterthought
  • What investors and venture capital firms were watching most closely in the social media landscape

Panelists emphasized that social media and digital content were becoming critical assets in go-to-market plans — not just for brand awareness, but also to validate traction with customers, partners, and investors. For many founders, the session marked an early turning point in recognizing digital media as a measurable growth engine — an idea that continues to define startup marketing strategies today.

Panelists and Industry Experts

The panel was moderated by Mike Brennan, Editor and Publisher of MITechNews.com.

Editor’s Note: Melih Oztalay is the CEO of SmartFinds Marketing, a digital strategy and performance marketing agency helping B2B companies grow through AI-driven marketing, SEO, CRO, and lead generation.