Utpal Vaishnav (@utpalvaishnav)

Utpal Vaishnav

Founder @ Upsquare & House of Starts • Angel Investor + LP

Let's co-create a shared future.

I am the founder & CEO of Upsquare® Technologies, leading a team of over 200 people in creating Internet businesses.

My journey?

A multi-million-dollar tech company exited in 2017 and acquired a $10 million SaaS business in 2022.

On LinkedIn:

I share my journey under #DhandheKaFunda, focusing on mindset, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

I'm all about peer learning and shared growth.

Quick facts:

- Work → Self-taught software engineer, finance/business background; dropout.

- Sports → Martial Arts enthusiast (Wing-Chun), ex-national chess player.

- Travel → Digital semi-nomad, 44 countries (and counting).

- Mindset → Passion for boundary-pushing projects.

I look forward to connecting and learning from each of you.

Let's connect and make something happen! ✌🏻

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eChai Startup Stream

A stream of the startup world with founder voices, stories, news, and raw insights.

Blessing in disguise Books for Entrepreneurs Documentary eChai Wall of Love How I Met My Co-Founder In Focus Today Insight Reports Movies for Entrepreneurs Notes from Podcasts Slice of Startup Life The First Hire The First Welcome in Silicon Valley The Reading Room Unforgettable Lessons

When Small, Unplanned Things Shaped Meaningful Moments at an eChai Bengaluru Founders Event

Mansi Baheti

When Pitching Turns Into Conversation - From an eChai AI x SaaS Founders Meetup in Bengaluru

Kalgi Sheth

When Conversations Matter More Than Credentials - From an eChai Women Founders Circle in Ahmedabad

Kommal Vishant

The Shift From Building Products to Building Businesses - from AI x SaaS Founders Meetup in Surat

Latika Singh

What Happens When 100+ Product Builders Come Together to Talk Scale — eChai Mumbai x ProductTank

LoveKshitij Suryavanshi

Community is Currency

Kanan Dhru

Upcoming events in Ahmedabad

Jan

16

Fri

Ahmedabad Innovation Summit 2026

Ahmedabad University Auditorium

9:00am — 06:00pm

Jan

17

Sat

Ahmedabad Founders Walk - Heritage City Edition

Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kalupur

7:00am — 08:30am

Jan

22

Thu

Food & Beverage Startups Meetup: Building What India Eats & Drinks - Ahmedabad Edition

GVFL Ahmedabad

6:30pm — 08:30pm

Jan

29

Thu

eChai Startup Demo Day in Ahmedabad: January Edition

GVFL Ahmedabad

6:30pm — 08:30pm

The eChai Effect - In Their Words

“eChai has been that turning point in my journey. It gave me a platform when I wasn’t looking for visibility but needed direction. Over the years, it became more than just a network. It became my tribe; a place where conversations sparked collaborations, and strangers became trusted sounding boards. What I value most is how effortlessly eChai brings people together - no airs, no filters, just genuine people with shared dreams. I owe a lot to this community and to Jatin, whose consistency and belief in people have shaped journeys like mine. Forever grateful to be part of something so real.”

Rushabh Shah

Managing Partner - STIR Advisors

"The eChai platform has been super valuable for me - it has helped me gain a deeper understanding of domains in the startup and tech ecosystem. What stands out most is the celebration of knowledge, professional growth, and entrepreneurship - it’s one of the best for the Indian ecosystem. Along the way, I’ve also been fortunate to make some great friendships and connections too."

Shalin (Shawn) Parikh

Founder, MyCPE One

"I attended my first eChai event 3 yrs back, and no one knew me in the market. Over the next three years, eChai didn’t only help me with knowledge or networking, but it gave me an identity from being unknown to now being recognized by a group of inspirational entrepreneurs connected with eChai, who have been gracious enough to acknowledge me and Digipple."

Viraj Rajani

Co-Founder, Digipple

eChai Partner Brands

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BigNano Ventures

Animal Health & Diagnostics for Vets, Pets & Animals.