Recalling an enriching evening at the Hyderabad Startup Meetup, powered by eChai Ventures and hosted at The Headquarters! Gratitude to the esteemed panel members for sharing their expertise and making it a night of insightful discussions and collaboration.
Maithreye Murali Reddy Reena Sumera Srikanth Dhanwada Vishnu Chaitanya Kushagra Gupta

🤝 Meeting incredible new minds and reconnecting with old friends—what a day it was filled with inspiring conversations! #Networking #NewConnections #Reunions

Vishnu Chaitanya,Gopi Krishna Gantala,Reena Sumera,Srikanth Dhanwada,Pradeep Reddy,Jatin Chaudhary,Dhruv Gupta,The Headquarters,Zepul,eChai Ventures,iTIC Incubator at IITH

🇸🇬 #Singapore in peak bustle on a Thursday!

HEX's TENTH Singapore cohort of founders took the stage and pitched their businesses yesterday evening. One of the memorable demos was EduKate, promoting STEM education for girls through dolls 👧🏼♀️Pleasant surprise to bump into Remi and Benedict who were the judges, and hella proud of Jaclyn Benstead and Shirley Pham who led this program and made it epic!

Worlds colliding 🌏💥 when Jodie meets Mihaela meets HEX! The startup ecosystem welcomes everyone – innovators from all walks🚶🏼‍♀️🚶🏻‍♂️🚶 (for context: Jodie is an excellent UX researcher/designer and Mihaela is working on her phD in financial inclusion + 

I missed Accelerating Asia Ventures's demo day this week and the FOMO got to me 😢 but I'm truly glad that everyone passes through the Draper Startup House HQ whenever they're in town... (👋🏽 hi Amra 🥲)

Paying for beer in Singapore with #India rupees 🍻💰 I'm grateful for this fellow globetrotting buddy Ibrahim who recently passed through Hyderabad, and exchanging notes and insights on the city!

It's been an epic two weeks in Singapore; I'm happy to be home! ...If you think I'm taking off soon, you guessed right 😉

🔜 NEXT STOP #HYDERABAD 🔥🚀

I'll be around for a month(ish), excited to CONNECT with the entrepreneurs, founders, investors, operators, and the startup community and learn from everyone 🤩 

ASK: Who should I meet / grab chai with? 👀

🚀 Exciting News! 🚀

After pouring heart and soul into this, I'm thrilled to share Asnap, my latest venture in the world of #MicroSaaS

Much like Thanos' iconic finger snap transformed the Marvel universe, Asnap is poised to shake up how Saas companies approach support documentation.

Why take on this challenge? 👀

Having personally felt the pains of manual content creation and relying on outdated tools in past roles, I knew there had to be a better way🤔

Existing tools like Scribe & Tango missed the mark, not tailored for SaaS companies.

Spotting this gap in the market, I decided to take the reins 😇

Leveraging my experience launching Clipboard Archive, I set out to create a solution for those, like me, seeking efficiency in crafting product guides🚀

To ensure Asnap met real user needs, I engaged with over 50 Technical Content Writers, Product Managers, and Marketers, digging deep into their pain points. 

This wasn't just about building a product; it was about crafting a comprehensive solution 🤩

Excitingly, Asnap is now available in Alpha, ready to be put through its paces by real customers for testing and feedback.
 
If you've ever grappled with creating guides in a market where existing solutions fall short, Asnap is here to bridge the gap. 

Let me show you how Asnap can transform your approach to support documentation. 🚀

First customer : (this is not AI generated story :D )

Today I am going to share how we got our first customer for 58 Miles and how our first stock was sold out in a day.

So once we were ready with our stock and we were planning many things in all directions, that online fod daalenge , Insta pe dhamaal macha lenge and give few samples to influencers and once 10-15 reviews are set , we will sell our stock in next 2-3 months with lots of learning.

As our first product is "Camera wale baba ka Jhola, to Sahil Shah ne bola , to take part in Offline photo expo in Gandhinagar, and I was convinced to give it a try. We booked last moment so got the last stall :D

At the expo, we unveiled our product, but for the entire morning, it was like a ghost town at our stall. Ten other camera bag bigwigs had set up shop before us. But then, around 1:00 PM, a lone ranger strolled in. I narrated the whole saga of Moment Camera bag by 58miles, and guess what? He agreed to pay! A whole year of hard work, and finally, someone was ready to pay for it. I was so overwhelmed that when he swiped for payment, I stopped him and said, "It's a gift from us, Sir." He couldn't believe it! With joy and excitement, he ran out, sharing the tale of our unique camera bag and how he got it for free.

and then it was like everybody was coming to our stall, we were talk of town (thought it was expo and not the town) We were sold out , all 125 bags for first stock, on the first day of expo. I could not believe it.

Photo story : The guy in black tshirt is not our first customer , Its our beloved supporter , my pakka dost Jatin Chaudhary (eChai Ventures wale bhaiya). His support to us and thousands of other startups across the globe is unmatchable. He bought the Camera bag just to support our launch.
www.58miles.com

eChai meetups happening in 5 cities in India this week.

Free registration at eChai.Ventures

Had an amazing time at @WestbridgeCap B2B SaaS dinner event.

Met so many founders building in India 🇮🇳 for the world 🌍 and pretty convinced on “long India” for the next decade, at least.

🇸🇬 Singapore: We appreciate everyone who joined us at the eChai Ventures event at Draper Startup House 

#Singapore last night! Special thanks to Shilpa S Nath and Anna Rehermann for their valuable contributions as speakers and moderators 🙌

45+ amazing humans came together last night for the @eChaiVentures event at Draper Startup House in #Singapore to learn, share experiences, connect with each other, and to grow together as a community.

I had an amazing time engaging with fellow entrepreneurs and enthusiasts in the startup community. The atmosphere was charged with an extraordinary level of passion and energy.

A bit thank you to Jatin Chaudhary & eChai Ventures for organising it.

A shout out to Puneeth Suraana for being such a good moderator.

I had an amazing Saturday evening at my second visit to the eChai Ventures venture hosted by Yash Shah bhai IIMA Ventures ! The meeting was structured crisply and clearly, starting and ending on time. 😊 

Many startup enthusiasts were present, grappling with the dilemma of pursuing a job or starting their own venture. The fear of financial security often looms large, with thoughts of placement and fixed salary cheques tempting many students. Reflecting on my own journey, I believe that while no timing is perfect, starting early towards your goals is key. 

Viraj Rajani did a great job as a cohost, asking really good questions that young entrepreneurs could relate to.

For those already embarked on their entrepreneurial journey, decisions around funding, exits, target audience, and sustainability are paramount. The importance of cofounders was emphasized, along with the necessity of differentiation in the market. Simply lowering prices isn't enough; offering additional value and services can set you apart. 

Yash bhai eloquently articulated this point, which resonated deeply with me. It reminded me of my own experiences; newcomers needn't slash fees but should focus on delivering exceptional service. Lowering fees may attract clients initially, but loyalty isn't guaranteed. 💼 

The session was highly interactive, with various startups pitching ideas ranging from loan-related ventures SarvDhan to e-waste collection and website analytics Heatmaphero . It was a valuable opportunity to learn from seasoned founders and exchange knowledge. 

My purpose in attending was to connect with people, learn about their ideas, and gain insights into navigating the business landscape. Thanks to Yash bhai for hosting such a wonderful event—I'm glad I attended! 🎉 

Building the next big thing in Audio-Video space.

Looking for Gen AI Experts, Sound Technology experts and CTO to join my startup.

Thanks to eChai Ventures for organizing the lovely meetup. It was great to meet everyone and I learned a lot.

I got inspired by Nemesh Singh who runs a successful SaaS company from Bhopal with exceptional growth.

His insights on serving enterprise businesses were eye-openers.

I learned about the importance of understanding the unique needs of enterprise clients, and how to tailor solutions to meet those specific demands.

Also learning about building strong, long-term relationships with enterprise customers by focusing on reliability and customized service was truly impressive.

I loved the way he is running his business, mirroring the exact mindset of Zoho, especially in terms of people and culture.

Overall, it was great meeting all of you. Thank you!

I'm excited to share my first book, 'Reschool,' a personal reflection of my 20-year journey in the world of education. 📘 It's more than just a book; it's a heartfelt conversation with my younger self, exploring the highs and lows of this incredible journey. 🌟

'Reschool' sketches a vision of what New Age schooling could look like, inviting readers to dream and innovate along with me. 🚀 As we turn each page, we embark on a journey of self-discovery and educational transformation.

🌈 Stay tuned for more about this exciting venture!

This laughter defines the fun time we had at the Tank!

Everyone asked us about our journey at Shark Tank India Season 3. We were the fortunate few who received an opportunity to be a part of the sought-after television show which has stolen people’s heart since 3 seasons. Wait for it. We will be sharing our journey of the Tank Time with you all.

Meanwhile, Have a happy steaming, episode 6, Shark Tank India Season 3 @sonyliv.

eChai with Founders from the community who have made it to Shark Tank India.

Ft.

Ananya Maloo

, Co-Founder, Nuutjob

Shani Pandya

, Co-Founder, Imagine Powertree

Payal Pathak

&

Soham Payal Pathak

, Co-Founders, The Simply Salad

Jignesh Vasavada

, Co-Founder, Temple.ngo

Jainam Mehta

, Co-Founder, UrbanNaps

I had moderated this meetup.

 

Join us at Ahmedabad University on February 2, 2024, for the "Startup Exits and M&A Forum".

This unique event brings together leading minds in the startup ecosystem to share insights and strategies on navigating the complex world of mergers and acquisitions.

🎙️

Yash Shah

, Co-Founder, Clinetjoy
🎙️

Gaurav Barot

, CEO, Tridhya Tech
🎙️

Bhavin S Bhagat

, Co-Founder, IndiaBiz 

I'll be moderating this meetup.

Free registration @ https://echai.ventures/events/startup-exits-and-m-a-forum-feb-02-2024

The last-minute demo day turned out to be a huge success 🚀

Here are the key moments from eChai Ventures's 2024 Demo Day

Kudos to the 4 incredible founders who pitched with unwavering confidence, showcasing their innovative ideas and the tenacity of entrepreneurship.

Their strong grit is set to leave a lasting impact on the startup ecosystem💪

John Edward Founder of Chalice, unfolded a fresh perspective on digital marketing through his stealth marketing approach.

Vijayaraghavan Founder of of Stealth Product, emphasized the importance of building a marketplace for video editors and creative minds

Jayachandran, Founder of Maasta, showcased how technology can revolutionize the media and entertainment industry.

HEMAN Founder of GatiShakthi Bin who is on a mission to create impact through leveraging 5G Small Cells, Plastic Recycling, and Advertisement Revenue.

Huge shoutout to our venue partners Sevika Tech Pvt Ltd and Cynthia for helping us with the venue.

If you're interested in partnering with us to host these energetic events at your office space, feel free to DM me. Let's make every office space in Chennai a hub for innovation, without the need for formal hiring.

Exciting times ahead with numerous activities and events planned for the coming year. Follow me, Kirithiga, and eChai Ventures to stay updated on the latest startup events.

Let's keep the momentum going! 🚀

eChai Socials are delightful and fun conversations with founders. 

Lot of learning and fun exchanges.

Today 

Amit Panchal

(Allevents) hosted the founders lunch to welcome Bhopal-based Nemesh Singh (Appointy) who was visiting the city.

Appointy is one of the leading online scheduling software companies in the world, with over 200,000 customers globally.

We were joined by

Shalin Parikh

(Entigrity) ,

Rishit Shah

(Kinetiq),

Pankaj Bhimani

(58miles),

Bhavesh Patel

(Brands.live),

Ruchit Patel

(Allevents),

Kush Prajapati

(Redicine) and Dhruv Patel (SalesHandy). 

We had hosted the first eChai in Bhopal at Appointy Office in 2014. 

Loved moderating this eChai Ventures gathering on Fundraising for Startups, with Shubham Jhuria and Dishan S Raao at Draper Startup House ❤️

Quoting an attendee who shared his feedback post event, "I feel my energy is revived after attending this and knowing that there are others just like me who are hustling, building and willing to help each other grow".

P.S. We used Cards Against Work by Plum at the start of the event to have a whole lotta fun!

#Startups #LifeInBengaluru

Just back from 'Demo Day' organized by eChai Ventures.🎢

Picture this: it's like speed dating for entrepreneurs – you're not there to find a date, but to scout the future of your business!

The event was a blend of startups, businesses, and investors.

New ventures had their moment in the spotlight, sharing their visions and getting early feedback – minus the high-pressure environment of a judging panel.

Reflecting on the day, here's what stood out:

💡It was a fantastic opportunity for new startups to get valuable insights and possibly catch an investor’s eye.
💡For seasoned entrepreneurs, it was a space rich in networking opportunities, where business cards were exchanged as eagerly as ideas.
💡The inclusivity was notable: we had a spectrum of attendees from budding entrepreneurs to business experts.

This wasn't just about swapping greetings and LinkedIn profiles.

It was about creating meaningful connections that could steer your business towards exciting new horizons.

A huge shoutout to Nihal Ahamed M and Kirithiga Sundaramoorthy for organizing such an insightful event.

Can't wait for the next one!✨

#Throwback

Had a fab time sharing my Shark Tank India journey at this wonderful eChai Ventures evening!

It always gives me immense joy to be able to share my learnings and lessons from building Amrutam with budding entrepreneurs and start-up enthusiasts.

I also feel grateful to be given a platform to talk about crucial topics that are not spoken enough about, like mental health and female representation in business.

Learned a lot from my fellow Shark Tank founders Dhruv Soni Arun Agarwal Priyank Jain and Saif Shaikh :)

Had a blast at eChai's National Startup Day Bash in Bengaluru yesterday! 🎉 Big thanks to eChai Ventures, Jatin Chaudhary, and our awesome panelists - Karan Bahadur, Himanshu Upreti, and Mrinal Rai. 🚀

Draper was buzzing with energy! 🌟 Shoutout to everyone who joined in – you made the night unforgettable. Let's keep the startup vibes going! 🚀✨ #StartupFun #BengaluruNights #eChaiCelebration

Miracle Me, Draper Startup House, Ai Palette, Intugine - Logistics through Innovation, Sumit Dutta, Suranjika Mohapatra, Amrit Achipalya

🇸🇬 Singapore: Unleashing our inner tigers 🐅 It was fantastic to meet a delegation of 18 Startups from India who visited us at Draper Startup House #singapore today

Organised by Carve Startup Labs 🚀
➡ Alisha Davis
➡ Vishnu Nagaraj

Startup Delegation:
➡ Ramees Ali, Founder of Interval
➡ Dipti Sundar Mohanty, Founder of Mo Ambulance
➡ Midhun A kunj, Founder of Vowels 9M Healthcare Private Limited
➡ Soumya Bhattacharya, Founder of SustLabs
➡ Bhavana M., Founder of Bert Labs
➡ Sreenivas Paluvuri, Founder of VEHITO
➡ Bikash Mohanty, Founder of Smaket Solutions Pvt Ltd
➡ Meenu Sasikumar, Founder of AMG Invest Financial Services
➡ Layak Singh, Founder of Artivatic.ai
➡ Rohit Kochar, Founder of Bert Labs
➡ Karan Deep Singh from Anscer Robotics
➡ Sarat Tadanki from JK Nanosolutions
➡ Jitendra Saini, Cofounder of AquaAirX
➡ Prabhu Stavarmath from Bharat Pi
➡ Havish Sreenath from Infiction Labs
➡ Jayasudan Munsamy, Founder of DeepVisionTech.AI
➡ Raghavendra G. Shetty from RDL Technologies Pvt Ltd
➡ Susheel Chilashetty, Founder of Rootstart

Thank you to the wonderful speakers:
➡ Jaclyn Benstead
➡ Ashish Jain
➡ Anna Joke Breimer Bharati