"If you come from the social studies department you're going to understand what's going on," Bottino said.

The group is part of the University's goal to keep up with global business trends.

"For many years a great many of our graduates in computer science have gone into entrepreneurial pursuits, within a few years of graduating or even straight out of college," said Harry R. Lewis '68, dean of the College. "TECH provides a wonderful series of forums for students to connect with others who have been there before them, and who have an interest in sharing their experience with today's undergraduates."

In the past, technology has been a perk or luxury for businesses, but TECH now sees it as a necessity.

"I'm a strong believer that what computer science is doing is so fundamental and pervasive," said Venky, who gives most of the credit for the organization of TECH to the persistent Harvard students who recognized the demand for such a program last winter.

One of those founders, Maryanthe Malliaris '01, a Crimson editor, was present last night and pleased at with the turnout.

"At first we had a hardcore computer science audience," she said. "Tonight, the crowd was more varied."