Had an amazing time hosting Sunday's eChai Ventures Startup Social at Draper Startup House Hyderabad!

It was my first time leading a session like this, and it was a lot more fun than I had expected. 

Quite a few brilliant ideas were shared during the session, and I got to meet a lot of interesting people in the Hyderabad startup ecosystem.

eChai Ventures New York will be hosting the small gathering of founders and startups folks on 16th February, Friday from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm EST.

eChai Startup Socials are volunteer driven small gatherings with founders and startup folks happening all over the world.

These meetups are free to attend and open for all.

It will be on pay-for-what-you-order basis.

Details about eChai Startup Meetup in New York:

Format: Small Group. Candid Conversations. Startup Folks.

Date & Time: 16th February, January. 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm EST.

Venue: Mr. Purple, 180 Orchard St 15th floor, New York, NY 10002, United States

Map link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ikjdUKCApzbZFbAq8

Masterclass on Sales & Entrepreneurship from The Barbershop with Shantanu:

This exclusive roundtable features:

🎤 Shantanu Khosla: Vice Chairman, Crompton Greaves
🎤 Tanmay Bhat: YouTuber, Comedian, Investor
🎤 Vani Kola: Managing Director, Kalaari Capital
🎤 Arjun Purkayastha: Senior VP, Reckitt
🎤 Vivek Gambhir: Chairperson, boAt lifestyle
🎤 Rohit Kapoor: CEO, Food Marketplace Swiggy
🎤Shantanu Deshpande, Founder & CEO, Bombay Shaving Company

....coming together to share their unparalleled insights into sales and entrepreneurship in today’s dynamic business environment. 

It's a must-listen for those looking to glean wisdom from top industry leaders on navigating the complexities of building and scaling successful ventures in the fast-paced world of business.

 

At our latest eChai Dinner Social hosted by Shalin Parikh and Leena Parikh from Entigrity at their farmhouse, we gathered a select group of startup founders and operators for an evening of candid conversations and community spirit.

ft.

Shalin Parikh

&

Leena Parikh

(Entigrity)

Syed Nadeem Jafri

(Hearty Mart)

Manasvi Thapar

(Candour Legal)

Rishit Shah

(Kinetiq)

Vishakha Shah

(Venus Logistics)

Kumar Manish

(Communicate Karo)

Nikita Lalwani

(Croooze App)

Kush Prajapati

(Redicine)

Prafull Billore

(MBA Chaiwala)

Harsha Bhurani

(Hummingbird Consulting)

Aalap Sanghvi

(Immersfy)
Priyanka Sharma (Republic)
Shreya Billore (Askus way)

Jatin Chaudhary

(eChai Ventures)

Over this weekend had the priviledge of being on a panel at eChai Ventures Meetup at Draper Startup House's !! Joined by a diverse set of fellow panelists Rudra Nikam, Vikas Bardia, CFA, Manjunath M moderated by Puneeth Suraana. We delved into the entrepreneurial journey, sharing experiences, challenges, and strategies for success.

Connecting with multiple young entrepreneurs at the meetup underscored the importance of collaboration, shared learning, and building a supportive ecosystem. Each interaction sparked new ideas, collaborations, and opportunities for growth.

As the audience was filled with young entrepreneurs, they thrive on the energy and creativity that comes from connecting with like-minded individuals. These connections not only inspire us but also open doors to new partnerships, mentorship, and possibilities for innovation.

Grateful for the opportunity to engage with such a vibrant community of startup enthusiasts at Draper Startup House by Karan Bahadur & curated community by Nivin Joseph enabled by Jatin Chaudhary of eChai Ventures . Let's continue to foster connections, support one another, and collectively drive positive change in the startup ecosystem!

The debut of Lightcone Podcast, a podcast series by Y Combinator. 

Kicking off with "The Truth About Building AI Startups Today," this series brings you up close with the thoughts and insights of YC's own Gary, Jared Harge, and Diana. 

Whether you're just curious about AI or deep into planning your next big venture, this is something you won't want to miss.

 

🚀Key Takeaways from eChai Ventures Sales Strategy Meet Up (I Moderated) at Ideas to Impacts Hub! But That's Just the Tip of the Iceberg!

What an energy-charged 2.5 hours we had yesterday (Saturday, Feb 10th’24)! As your moderator, I was blown away by the depth of knowledge and practical tips shared by our Panelist.

1: Suvikas Bhandari - VP of Straget and GTM at Pazcare
2: Shyam HN - Co-founder and CEO at Boomerang
3: Supriya Rao - MD India ClearRoute

Here's just a taste to whet your appetite:

Winning Game:

⭐️ Mastering Lost Deals: Suvikas Bhandari ji urged us to analyze even with high conversation rates, as the "why" behind lost cases holds the key to future wins.

📚Salesperson's Bookshelf: Get inspired and boost your negotiation skills with "Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It. Book by Christopher Voss and Tahl Raz”, and "The Art of War - Book by Sun Tzu”, recommended by Suvikas ji.

⭐️Scaling Your Sales Dream Team: Shyam HN shared a framework for building a high-performing sales development team, including adapting outreach channels to target personas and optimizing for results.

⭐️Building Trust, Closing Deals: Supriya’s insights on handling objections with intelligence and honesty resonated deeply, emphasizing the importance of trust in the sales journey. She also stressed prompt communication, responding within 24-48 hours and keeping prospects informed.

But that's just the tip of the iceberg! This post only scratches the surface of the valuable knowledge shared during the session.

Exciting News for SaaS Founders! 🚀

I'm thrilled to share that our partner, Upekkha, is now welcoming applications for their UP24 Spring Cohort. This is a golden opportunity for SaaS startups looking to catapult their growth to the next level.

What's on offer?
- A robust 💰 $125K Pre-Seed Fund to kickstart your journey.
- Unparalleled 🌐 strategic guidance and support for global expansion.
- An opportunity to 👥 join a vibrant community of 300+ founders who are reshaping the SaaS landscape globally.

🌟 Why Upekkha? 🌟

Upekkha isn't just about funding. It's about fostering a community where founders can thrive, share, and grow together. With 40 startups funded in 2023 and plans to fund 70 more in 2024, Upekkha is on a mission to nurture the next wave of SaaS success stories. Whether you're dreaming of hitting your first $1M ARR or scaling beyond, Upekkha's track record speaks volumes:

- 165+ profitable and capital-efficient startups.
- 11 startups have soared past $1M ARR, with three exceeding $5M ARR.
- A remarkable 85% of the first 20 startups are cash flow positive and growing month-on-month.

Don't let this chance slip through your fingers! The application deadline is 15th Feb 2024. If you're ready to take your SaaS startup to unprecedented heights, apply now at https://lnkd.in/gcZuKGGS.

Bangalore Really Works.

I just joined my team in person in Namma Bengaluru on 1 February. The energy of the city is awesome. I attended some stellar startup events such as eChai Ventures and connected with amazing people, and now more excited about the business.

Building a Software Development Agency here feels like unlocking a treasure of opportunities. The work culture, diverse talent pool, and openness to trying new things are amazing.

Compared to remote/smaller cities, the mere dynamism of Bangalore accelerates the development process and opens doors to a myriad of possibilities

If you want to build websites and apps, let's Chai and Chat!  Contact me at [email protected] or check out our work at Curl Crafters. Let's craft digital experiences together!

Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending an exhilarating session at the eChai's Startup Growth Networking Meetup, hosted by the dynamic Jatin Chaudhary at the prestigious IIMA Ventures, Ahmedabad.

Our panelists, each a trailblazer in their domain, shared their unique journeys and invaluable insights:

Zaiba Sarang from iThink Logistics is revolutionizing the logistics sector by significantly reducing product return ratios - a game-changer for brands.

Aditya Shah from Because demonstrated how they're helping brands carve their unique voice in a crowded market.

Vishakha Shah from Venus Logistics shared her experiences in the distinct US logistics market, creating substantial waves in the industry.

Sushil Agrawal's initiative, Saarthi Pedagogy, is impacting over 10 lakh students across India, revolutionizing the educational landscape.

The energy was palpable as young entrepreneurs eagerly engaged with the panelists, seeking wisdom on multitasking and effective management as founders.

Ziaba's anecdotes about customer feedback enhancing their product, Sushil's insights on fundraising, Aditya's take on cultivating a growth-oriented work culture, and Vishakha's candid sharing of the challenges faced by female entrepreneurs, added layers of depth to the discussion.

Kudos to Jatin Chaudhary for his relentless efforts and consistency in creating this one-of-a-kind platform that not only connects but inspires and empowers the startup community.

Had an amazing time at eChai yesterday and came back with some gems that I just have to share. This place really shows that the more you share, the more you get back.

Here's what stuck with me:

1. *Go with Your Gut Feeling*:

   

Bhavesh Patel

from Brands.Live dropped this truth bomb - if you feel something's not gonna work, trust that feeling. Trying to push it when your gut says no? That's a no-go. It's all about trusting that inner voice.

2. *Asking Questions the Right Way*:

   

Sushil Agrawal

, the brain behind Saarthi Pedagogy, shared a killer approach:

   - Are you even asking the right question?
   - Are you asking the right question to the right person?
   - And are you asking the right question to the right person at the right time?

Getting this right can really change the game.

These bits of advice are gold, making you rethink how you tackle things in your own journey. 

eChai isn't just about giving; it's a place where you gain loads, especially in ways you didn't expect.

Be the change you want to see!

Growing SOQO w little to nothing in a tier 2 city with a fledging startup ecosystem looked like the most impossible task, no one to look around, no one to aspire, no motivation and no empathy.

But that’s the thing, night is the darkest before sunrise. What you are seeking is seeking you, or do we say hungry hardworking entrepreneurs of Bhopal coming together for eChai Ventures Breakfast Social regularly every two weeks to be friends. No questions, no demands. Only good food, small groups and candid conversations.

My fav part of breakfast is morning energy of entrepreneurs, fresh and because we’re all in same boat hence without boundaries.

We talk. We talk about failure, getting into cycle of work after long break, mental health, hiring, lived experiences etc.

Good to just know, we’re all in same boat.

Wise words of Prerna Taneja today at the table “take it one day at a time”. And today was that one day we all met for nothing but meeting. :)

In frame

Sneh Nigam
Founder Mindcafe India

Meenal Rai Shejwar
Founder Amado

Vaibhav Kapoor
Director, RGIM Business School

Arihant Arya
Director, Glafix

HitartH Shrivastava
Founder, Bazarville
Co-Founder, F for Fries

Aman Talreja
Co-Founder, Seesaw

Kanika Gupta
Co-Founder, Seesaw

Amrita Bhama
Founder, Summer Stich

Prerna Taneja
Founder, The Zappy Box

and ofc me my and I haha, Founder SOQO

To many more breakfasts together!

eChai's Startup Growth Networking Meetup in Ahmedabad is happening today evening at IIMA Ventures from 6 pm to 8 pm.

ft.

Zaiba Sarang

(iThink Logistics)

Bhavesh Patel

(Brands.live)

Aditya Shah

(Because)

Vishakha Shah

(Venus Logistics)

Sushil Agrawal

(Saarthi Pedagogy)

I'll be moderating this meetup.

Free registration at eChai.Ventures

We are hosting the Hiring AI Talent for Startups meetup in Bengaluru today evening at WeCP HQ, HSR Layout from 6 pm to 8 pm.

Abhishek Kaushik

(WeCP)

Shivam Tiwari

(John Jacobs - LensKart)

Shreyans Panchal

 (Yomo AI)

Free registration at eChai.Ventures

eChai's Bengaluru Startup Meetup is happening today evening at Draper Startup House from 6 pm to 8 pm.

ft.

Vikas Bardia

(Shoffr)

Rudra Nikam

(Pocket FM)

Manjunath M

(CodeDesign)

Sumit Dutta

(Ex Nasscom)

Puneeth Suraana

(The Galata Podcast)

Free registration at eChai.Ventures

We are elated to share that, we will be exhibiting RoyalPOS at Food & AgriTech Expo 2024, organised by The Southern Gujarat Chamber Of Commerce And Industry - SGCCI.

🗓️ 10-12th Feb 2024

📍 Surat International Exhibition and Convention Centre, Sarsana, Surat, Gujarat

📞 +91 8780228978 

Startup #founders great opportunity knocking on the door, grab it. Are you ready to take your startup to new heights?

Season 2 of 'Leap to Unicorn' is calling for applications, and it's an opportunity you don't want to miss!

This unique Founder Success Program, brought to you by IDFC FIRST Bank in collaboration with Moneycontrol and CNBCTV18, offers unparalleled mentoring, networking, and fundraising opportunities. It's tailor-made to empower India's most promising startups.

Spearheaded by the visionary mentor Anand Lunia, this Founder Success Program, in collaboration with IDFC FIRST Bank, Moneycontrol, and CNBCTV18, offers a platform like no other.

With expert mentoring, including insights from Anand Lunia, networking, and fundraising opportunities, this program is crafted to propel India's brightest startups. Be part of this transformative journey and give your entrepreneurial aspirations the boost they need.

Apply to Get Funded

 

📣 Shout out to all amazing Women Entrepreneurs to apply for Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women program and be a part of a strong tribe of women entrepreneurs like you!

✔️ Open to women founders from every sector with revenue stage looking to accelerate their ventures to the next level!

🚀 Learn directly from the faculties from Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, get mentoring from Industry experts and access to best resources and investors!

📈Check out now to get started on your amazing journey at NSRCEL with #10KWomen - https://lnkd.in/d5fDqZ5d

One of my favorite things is inviting founder friends who are traveling to different cities to join the panel at eChai meetups in those cities.

Mumbai-based

Zaiba Sarang

 , Co-Founder, iThink Logistics will be joining the eChai Ahmedabad at IIMA Ventures.

Free registration at eChai.Ventures

From the earlier eChai SaaS Social with founder friends from the city at MagentaInsights HQ.

Small Group. Candid Conversations. Startup Folks.

Great to catch up with many new founder friends from Ahmedabad.

Vikas Mundhra & Vikalp Somani (MagentaInsights)

Yash Shah (Clientjoy)

VIKASH RAJPUROHIT & Keshav Dhamecha (VastraApp)

Pankaj Bhimani (58Miles)

Kush Prajapati (Redicine)

Pratik Patel (Flo Mobility)

Himani Kankaria (Missive Digital)

Bhavik Makwana (ZenDevX)

Anuj Dalal (Zestard)

Mitesh Shethwala (Currently)

Harsha Bhurani (Hummingbird Consulting)

Jay Patel (Momentum Ventures)

Koumal Kalantry (Ankk Cares)

Swayam Raval (Admyre Club)

Nishi Jain (Vibes Good)

Niren Panchal (Brittman & Workex)

Foram Popat (HROne)

List of participants at https://echai.ventures/events/echai-saas-social-in-ahmedabad-feb-07-2024

10 days of Shark Tank India Season 3, Episode 6 and that is how it changed my life!

-First of all, with the love and support of India, our sales have increased! We can see 3x-3.5x additional sales on marketplaces and on our website.

-Getting great organic reach and awareness of our brand, that is helping is to minimise our marketing cost. It is now much lower than 54% as stated by us in the episode & we are really happy about it.

-100s of proposals for business development and marketing services received. We are discussing future collaborations and distributions. Crossing our fingers!!

-Opened our doors for international market. Got call from Sell on Amazon International team as well. As we are having required documentation to go overseas, and soon we will be available in US market.

-Being approached by many events, colleges and talks. Such offline branding will surely help us to move forward. Can't thank enough everyone for providing bringing in such opportunities!

-We can see the enthusiastic and tirelessly working team to fulfil the demand. Feeling loved and cared by our small yet efficient team. Kudos to team Nabhi Sutra.

-The way I keep replying emails and messages, by working online for extra hours, switched from Nabhi Sutra healthy hair belly button oil to Eye care belly button oil to protect my eyes from dryness :) Well, such routines cannot be avoided at any stage of life. :) :)

The most important and my favourite, going for sleep every night with a big smile on face. Yes, success looks somewhat like this to me.

With lots of love!!
Swati Vakharia

For the first time, BabyOrgano | India's First Dedicated Ayurvedic Baby Care Health and Wellness Brand went for the campus placement!!

This is something that I had on my bucket list forever. In a world, where every company is asking for some experience, we are willing to be the one who gives experience to the young talent.

My Co-founder, HR and our Digital Marketing Manager went to St Kabir Institute of Professional Studies, Ahmedabad and let me tell you, it was a great experience.

I never expected students to be so aware of marketing, business and startup culture. We had some good conversations with some of the smartest students I have ever met.

We learned a lot about Gen Z’s professional behaviour and their expectations from the corporate world.

All in all, it was a day of learning!!

We have met some talented individuals and we will be hiring some of them for the required roles.

We are excited to welcome them to our BabyOrgano | India's First Dedicated Ayurvedic Baby Care Health and Wellness Brand family and help them grow their skills and careers.

We believe in nurturing young talent and giving them the opportunity to work on innovative and impactful projects.

Also, we are grateful to the St Kabir Institute of Professional Studies for hosting us and being so welcoming and supportive.

At IIMA Ventures, we're optimistic about the future of the sustainability sector in India. Harnessing the vibrancy of India's tech ecosystem, startups are poised not just for local impact but to build solutions with a global perspective. Excited to introduce Accenture Sustainability Value Accelerator 2.0's outstanding startups:

sentra.world building an AI platform for calculating, reporting, certifying, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

EcoRatings building an AI & ML powered platform for numeric ESG ratings based on the 17 SDGs framework.

TraceX Technologies building solutions focused on transparency, traceability, and sustainability in the food and agriculture supply chain.

CarbonMinus building a SaaS platform ensuring efficiency, compliance, and the realization of net-zero visions.

CarbonTrail building an AI-powered sustainability platform for fashion and retail, measuring environmental impact through automated LCAs and primary supply chain data.

Discover more about our impactful cohort: https://lnkd.in/gsjTnYeU 🚀