Latest eChai Startup Feed
Solving problems, helping other businesses grow, and hearing customers say, "This is the best software, thank you for introducing this to me," are what give me the biggest high as an entrepreneur. Let me take you on a quick journey through my world of SaaS innovation.

It all started with PitchGround, my SaaS marketplace. I saw countless brilliant ideas struggling to find their audience, and I thought, "There has to be a better way." So, I built one. Watching start-ups flourish on our platform? That's a rush like no other.

But I didn't stop there. As I interacted with these budding businesses, I noticed a common pain point: outreach. That's how FirstSales was born. I remember the first time a client told me, "Your tool doubled our response rates!" I couldn't sleep that night – not from stress, but from sheer excitement.

Then came the pinnacle of my problem-solving addiction: TinyCheque, my AI Venture Studio. It's like being a kid in a candy store, but instead of sweets, I'm surrounded by cutting-edge AI solutions waiting to be shaped into the next big thing in SaaS.

Every day brings new challenges. Sometimes, I'm up until 3 AM, wrestling with a particularly tricky bit of code or brainstorming a new feature. But when a customer reaches out to share how our software transformed their business? That makes every sleepless night worth it.

What really keeps me going is the partnerships we build. Whether it's a start-up finding their footing on PitchGround, a sales team crushing their targets with FirstSales, or an AI enthusiast bringing their vision to life through TinyCheque – these connections fuel my passion.

Each success story pushes me to innovate further, to solve the next big problem. It's a never-ending cycle of creation and impact. And you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way. This journey of turning ideas into solutions that change lives – that's my entrepreneur's high, and it's one incredible ride!
🎯 The Hero's Program at Draper University

When I first signed up for the Hero's Program, I thought it was all about startups. Boy, was I wrong. This experience isn’t just about launching ventures; it’s about discovering the hero within, pushing your limits, and thriving in the face of challenges. 💪

Picture this: 130 kilometers of walking and hiking in just four days, mixed with swimming, rowing, and running. Survival week, curated by US Navy SEALs, was a true test of grit, blood, sweat, and yes, tears. This journey was designed to build not just physical endurance, but the mental toughness to tackle any challenge with enthusiasm, energy, and a healthy dose of fun! 🎉

I’m beyond grateful to have been part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience, alongside 110 heroes from 37 countries. Draper University isn’t about being spoon-fed; it’s about being thrown into the deep end (sometimes literally, like treasure-hunting in San Mateo at 4 AM and jumping into a freezing pool in the early morning!) and getting the job done. The spontaneity of pitching to Tim Draper while strolling through the streets of #SanMateo or sleeping under the stars in Northern California Wilderness pushed me beyond my comfort zone in the best possible way. 🌟

Leaving loved ones for 40 days wasn’t easy, but it was worth every second. Huge shoutout to Karan Bahadur, Vikram Bharati, Asra N. for this great opportunity and the amazing Draper University team Waleed Arshad Mohammad Mustafa Hassan Suffiyan Malik Subah Zaeem Arisa Chelsea Ueno Umar Akram – you guys are rockstars & a special thanks to my stellar team back home – Mansi Baheti, Tanya Mary, Deepika Palreddy and Vignesh S – for keeping things running smoothly at Draper Startup House India while I was away. 🙌

To all the friends I’ve made from around the world, I can’t wait to reconnect with you in the years to come. 🌍

One key takeaway for me: *Amor fati* – love of fate. Look it up, and a big thanks to Roc Ryder for introducing me to this profound concept.

No more spoilers, but if you ever get the chance to join this program, here’s my advice: *Just say YES.* Trust me, you won’t regret it.

Anshul and I first met in 2012 on the first day of our engineering journey at UPES. Over the past 12 years, we have shared an extraordinary journey, working together on everything from class assignments and projects to significant entrepreneurial ventures. Every step of the way, we've found immense joy in our collaboration.

Our last day of college marked a temporary parting as we pursued jobs in Bengaluru, but deep down, we both knew that our paths would soon converge again. In 2017, we reunited to co-found our first blockchain company. Together, we immersed ourselves in the intricate world of entrepreneurship, learning invaluable lessons along the way. Even after closing that chapter, there was never a doubt that we would continue our journey together.

Launching our second venture, Cognecto, was a natural progression for us. Through all the successes and setbacks, Anshul and I have always stood by each other, turning challenges into opportunities and dreams into reality. The bond we share has made this adventure incredibly rewarding. Our journey is far from over, and I am deeply grateful for the friendship and partnership that has made it all possible. Together, we look forward to many more years of innovation and collaboration.
Provider of AI-powered sensor-based solutions for construction equipment monitoring. We offer monitoring services through AI or ML-powered sensor devices connected with the equipment integrated with the cloud that provides real-time status updates to all the stakeholders.
Top 11 resources we used & would recommend to every early stage startups.

1) How to get your first 1,000 users (for consumer startups) - http://surl.li/ltcnrw

2) How to get started with a consumer startup - http://surl.li/yifihg

3) How startups die from their addiction to paid marketing by Andrew Chen- http://surl.li/wrbiis

4) Must-have document templates for every startup: pitch deck, financial model, one-pager, and advisor agreement - http://surl.li/tgjdmv

5) 95 Ways to find your first customers for customer development or your first sale - http://surl.li/bvxpxz

6) Discounts and credits for startups - https://www.f6s.com/deals

7) Find your co-founder- https://lnkd.in/d8SRPSgn or https://www.antler.co/ or attend eChai Ventures meetups

8) How Superhuman engineered product-market fit - http://surl.li/jdqckj

9)Wharton's Entrepreneurship Specialization on Coursera - http://surl.li/lgfqvi

10) Y Combinator Startup School - http://surl.li/rghpgi

11) Check balance sheet, revenues & expenses of your competitors for free - https://lnkd.in/dxMgm_ad

12) Bonus - if you wish to hire pre-vetted interns or freshers for your early team, use Beep - https://lnkd.in/de7NKVRx
Considering every startup confronts this question at some point, I was surprised by how little has been written about it. Particularly anything actionable. So I decided to do my own digging. I spent the past month personally reaching out to founders, scouring interviews, and tapping the Twitterverse. Below, you’ll find first-hand accounts of how essentially every major consumer app acquired their earliest users, including Tinder, Uber, Superhuman, TikTok, Product Hunt, Yelp, and over a dozen more. Enjoy!
When a popular artist goes live on AllEvents

6x spike in North American ticket sales over the last two days, driven by an event featuring a well-known artist who chose AllEvents as their ticketing platform. 

This surge highlights the power of AllEvents as a global event discovery and ticketing platform, trusted by artists and event organizers worldwide. We’re proud to be the platform of choice for major events that connect with audiences across the globe.

As we continue to grow, we’re committed to providing a reliable, credible, and impactful platform for events of all sizes, anywhere in the world.

Looking forward to more exciting milestones ahead!
Today’s Mumbai Start-up Meet with eChai Ventures at DevX Andheri was nothing short of inspiring!

No panelists this time – just a fantastic group of startup enthusiasts seated in a circular setup, sharing their unique stories. We heard everything from innovative startup ideas, the inspirations behind their entrepreneurial journeys, and the real challenges they’re facing at work. It was a truly collaborative and insightful session!

A huge thank you to Jatin Chaudhary, the driving force behind eChai Ventures, for organizing this incredible event. And a big shoutout to our venue partner, DevX for providing the perfect space for these meaningful conversations!

Lastly, a special thanks to everyone who attended and asked such thoughtful questions – your engagement made today’s meetup extra special.

July's eChai Ventures Startup Demo Day in Hyderabad! 🚀

It was amazing to see new startups present their ideas and connect with investors and the community.

Thank you to Tarun Mor, CEO of CoKarma - Coworking Space, for organizing these events regularly. It's great to see such consistency.

Shoutout to Ashutosh Nagaria on pitching his business idea! Cheers on that man.

Looking forward to the next one!

Gayatri Pothukuchi Madanmohan Reddy Nukaraju Rahul Varadareddi Praneeth Simon Katta Sharath Chandra Chinnarigari Dr. Harpal Singh Malhotra Yash Sahu Eiman Usmani

eChai Partner Brands

eChai Ventures partners with select brands as their growth partner, helping them expand market reach, drive revenue growth, amplify brand visibility, and strengthen hiring efforts.

About eChai Ventures

eChai Ventures is a global startup network connecting entrepreneurs through local meetups in 20+ cities worldwide, enabling cross-border collaborations via startup panels, demo days, cricket, and pickleball leagues.

Make the most of eChai Ventures network:
  1. Complete Your eChai Profile It's key for others to discover you.
  2. Join eChai's Startup Meetups: Register for relevant eChai events happening across cities. Each event will have specific instructions on how to join.
  3. Discover Startup Folks: Explore and connect with other participants.
  4. Stay Updated: Follow the eChai feed for the latest updates from our community.
  5. Explore eChai Partner Brands: Check out our partner brands and how they can support you.
  6. Showcase Your Startup: Get opportunities to present your startup.
  7. Get Involved: Engage more and get a chance to volunteer or host meetups.
  8. Attend Global Events: Participate in events across different cities and countries.
  9. Find Collaborators: Discover co-founders, collaborators, talent, and business opportunities.
  10. Build Friendships: Make meaningful connections with fellow startup enthusiasts.

Join the meetups that interest you and start making the most of the community.

If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out at [email protected].