Notes from eChai's DeepTech Startups Meetup at Ahmedabad University

How drivebuddyAi started and what drivebuddyAI does?

DBAI is an Automotive AI startup working in the domain of Automotive Aftermarket in the category of ADAS.

What is AI in drivebuddyAI and what are the challenges about Human AI Interactions?
The drivers are usually in touch with our driver trainer team who talks to drivers and comforts them for their better safety and behavioral issues identified by the technology.

How do drivers react to AI alerts and how the resistance is being handled?

The drivers take 10-12 months of efforts to get confidence and comfort with the AI alerts i.e. a typical human psychological phase of accepting a tech in daily work life.

⁠What are the challenges of getting a customer, investors?

DBAI is funded and was raised before Covid in 2020 and since then have progressed towards becoming one of the major players in Indian market.

What are the challenges about hiring talent, building AI models and how it was handled in the case of drivebuddyAI?

Ahmedabad specifically lacks in talent pool required for AI, dbAI has talent pool available in Delhi, Vizag, Pune, Jaipur and all these are mid experience to entry level engineers working under the managent of domain expert AI engineers to solve daily AI challenges.

Typical challenges of building AI involves data collection, data curation, annotations, training, GPUs, model optimization etc. 

The DBAI journey started at a very early stage by using the pre-trained models for perception module to collecting and annotating data for Indian ecosystem when there was no Indian dataset available for building AI on it. The process of annotations, having GPUs for training purpose and managing a complete cycle of the data generation to updating a model with continuious learning is the journey in building AI.

To build AI/deep tech product startups, first one needs to start with whatever is readily available in the market which can give functional accuracy and then building on top of it by the feedback from the users, customers can help building the product focused on a specific domain.

People ask about weekends,

Your weekends can be worthy too if you are surrounded by the right folks, and for me, they are eChai Ventures and this is what echai friends do.

The day started with chit-chat about the business and was followed by an amazing lunch at Karnawati Club.

Attended an amazing echai demo day, where one friend pitched his new venture on the stage and another shared his success story.

58 Miles Rocks and AllEvents.in has been always inspiring.

Crazy fun weekend with craziness and productivity. Hope to have these keep coming in.

Jatin Chaudhary Pankaj Bhimani Amit Panchal Umesh Uttamchandani Himani Kankaria Kumar Manish Koumal Kalantry Shrijay Sheth Leena Parikh Syed Nadeem Jafri Gaurav Barot

Gained invaluable Insights and Inspiration from the latest eChai Startup Demo Day at IIMA Ventures in Ahmedabad.

On this Saturday I had attend Echai meet up for Start up enthusiasts, and it was awesome experience with innovation ,collaboration and potentials, from dynamic pitches to engaging discussion ,the event was full of entrepreneurial spirit.

There are many founders who represent their product and ideas. one founder introduced FMCG product app for fastest delivery service and highlights the emergence needs of online delivery services. on the other side the founder focusing on the travel bag product.

In Addition the founders of Smytten also shared invaluable insights into strategic approach and their journey to success. Overall, the eChai meetup served as a phenomenal platform where investors, start-up founders, and industry professionals meet to discuss emerging business opportunities and exchange knowledge.

This event helped me in fuelling my passion for innovation and Entrepreneurship.

I'm thrilled to share the incredible experience I had at recent Demo Day eChai Ventures IIMA Ventures at Ahmedabad curtesy of Jatin Chaudhary.

What made the day truly special was connecting with so many passionate entrepreneurs who share the drive for innovation. From insightful conversations to valuable feedback, meeting amazing people like you reminded us of the power of community in propelling us forward.

Jatin Chaudhary team keep up the good work really appreciate it on behalf the community and 1 Loyalty.

Being a startup entrepreneur is far from easy, as I've realized from my experience at Biziverse.

You must excel at making the product, managing finances, ensuring compliance, motivating your team, what not. One mistake and you face a disproportionately large punishment.

You cannot even expect support from the society. Some may look at you as a fool despite your multi role excellence everyday, or as an entitled "seth" even as you face nightmares of how to manage your next payroll. To them and to others, you must maintain the facade of "sab theek thaak hai" (everything's great).

This is where I realize the value of these three kinds of people: (1) Co-founders, as they share and lighten the challenges; (2) Investors, as they truly wish you well and help solve the critical challenge of finances, and (3) Startup communities like eChai Ventures, as you gain inspiration and wisdom from fellow entrepreneurs and their similar experiences.

We must realize and appreciate the roles of these three support sources, and even give back and give forward as much as we can! 😊

In 2020, I hosted a fire side chat with Mukesh Bansal, Co-Founder, Myntra and CureFit about brief history of Myntra, CureFit and his insights from building an iconic indian startup as part of The Red Bricks Summit by IIM Ahmedabad. 

You can check out the live recording of our conversation below.

At Ahmedabad University's eChai meetup, hosted by the university's incubation center, I had the privilege of engaging with a panel of entrepreneurs who had appeared on Shark Tank India.

They candidly shared insights into their experiences on the show, revealing the realities behind the scenes, the impact of the exposure, and the invaluable feedback they received from the sharks. Additionally, they delved into their ongoing challenges and future plans for their ventures.

Their narratives of resilience and determination in overcoming obstacles were truly captivating.

The distinguished panelists included Raj Shah Co-Founder of WeHear; Payal Pathak and Soham Payal Pathak Co-Founders of The Simply Salad; Nayan Shah Co-Founder of Maisha Lifestyle; and @illesh sharma Founder of Same Notification.

Here are few notable takeaways from the discussion:

I extend my gratitude for the opportunity to participate in these enriching events and to connect with these inspiring entrepreneurs.

Special acknowledgment goes to Jatin Chaudhary from eChai Ventures for orchestrating such impactful conferences that unite our startup community.

Had an awesome time putting together the eChai Ventures breakfast meet up in pune along with Prabhjyot Singh Mann!🌟

Connecting with the brilliant minds of fellow founders and investors in Pune was an absolute pleasure and discussing with them on startup fund raising. The impact and reach of eChai Ventures left me truly impressed, and I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the visionary team—Jatin Chaudhary

Your collaborative efforts made this networking event not just possible but exceptional! 🚀

Thank you for an amazing experience!

eChai Ventures Jatin Chaudhary Growth Sense Growth91 Sanjay Sarda Prabhjyot Singh Mann Disha Shah Sameer Karandikar Jitesh Devnani Sarthak Sudhir Shubham Sahamate Omkar Jadhav Aryan Hinge Smitesh Gadge Pankhil Baunthiyal Chaitanya Badave Abhishek Bang Rushikesh Khasgiwale Richa Mishra Parth Jadhav

Though I'm not much of a television serial enthusiast, I do consider myself a #series kind of person. I've been captivated by "Shark Tank India" and am keen on exploring the US and UK versions soon. My interest in business and wanting to know more about new startup , ideas and founders led me to attend eChai Ventures meetings. 🌍 Yesterday, I attended eChai Ventures at Ahmedabad University.

There's a saying, "Seeing on TV is one thing, but experiencing it live is something entirely different." The difference between a reel and real life is truly fascinating! 🎥✨ #reelvsreal

I wanted to grow as much as possible and empower as many people as I could. The mantra was, "I don't just want a job for myself; I want to create jobs for many." - #onmyway #startofmyjourney 🚀

Founders who have made it to Shark Tank India, like Payal Pathak and Soham Payal Pathak of The Simply Salad, shared their journey at an e-chai panel discussion. 🥗 "Simply Salad" saw growth from 3k to 9k followers post-Shark Tank and currently boasts 53,000 followers. Inspired by diet and healthy food, the founders believe in the power of authenticity and storytelling. They thought expanding to more cities before appearing on Shark Tank would have been advantageous. 🌱 #healthylife #healthyfood #inspringjourney

In discussions about family support, the consensus is that, while we hope for it, it's often not forthcoming. It's usually a few close people who support you at the start. Social media presence and marketing are key.

Raj Shah from WeHear pointed out that a Shark Tank episode, which lasts 20 minutes on TV, may actually go on for 1.5–2 hours. The foundation of a company lies in its people. #pepole #team #investinpeople

"Why take a flight when you can travel in third economy?" This question underscores the importance of value creation and staying grounded.#staygrounded

This resonates with my personal belief that I don't need expensive gadgets for the sake of it. My journey from coveting an iPhone in school to now prioritizing investment in dreams, vision, and people reflects this ideology. 📱➡️🌟

Nayan Shah co-founder of Maisha Lifestyle, also shared their insights. Failures are seen as learning opportunities. The vision of a firm, like Maisha's aim of providing one bag to every woman, is critical for success. 🎒#vision #goal #learninganddevelopment Esha Shah

Ileshkumar Sharma, founder of Same Notification, shared insights on public perception, there's wisdom in focusing on constructive criticism and ignoring trolls with simple answers. Engaging too much with negative comments offers little benefit. 🛡️💬 #focus #crticism

If you've attended events, what inspired you, or what is your vision for business and startups? Let's discuss for mutual growth. 💡🤝

Thanks to Jatin Chaudhary eChai Ventures VentureStudio for arranging such a great event!!

I believe Valentine's Day holds special significance for every individual, as it's a day dedicated to love and spreading affection. Everyone assigns different values to Valentine's Day. Here's why it's meaningful to me: I found my calling on February 14th, 2022.

It was the day when I took the first step toward Hummingbird. I had been associated with Cadila, and on that day, I resigned from the company. After resigning, as I made my way home, I passed numerous flower shops and realized that after making that decision, it was fitting to treat myself to a bouquet on Valentine's Day. I love roses like crazy, so I asked the cab driver to wait for five minutes while I gifted myself a bouquet :D

Journey from the office to my flat was very difficult and I was feeling “ Aaj ghar kyun nahi aa raha hai” . I questioned myself, wondering if I had made the right decision or not but Abhi to decision le liya tha. I was feeling quite emotional that day as I went to meet everyone. Some of my colleagues seriously started crying and were saying, 'What is this nonsense? Why are you making such a stupid decision but boss samjh to aaya us din ki insaan to apan ache hai Harsha Bhurani :D

I decided to spend quality time with myself when I reached home. The first person I called was Sumita Sharma and I shared the entire scenario with her. It was challenging for her to accept, as she, along with my colleagues, knew I was expecting a significant appraisal after months of hard work. However, she supported me nonetheless.

That day was simply amazing, still, I can recall spending a peaceful evening, enjoying the sunset with a cup of tea, and dinner at my favorite Pav Bhaji place near IIM, Vastrapur.
Eventually, till that time, I gathered the courage to inform my parents about this news. My father was initially shocked but he asked if I was okay, which meant the world to me. I reassured him, saying I was celebrating my day with Pav Bhaji. And then, I concluded my day with a brownie, and you can see the sheer joy reflected in this picture:D

After a brainstorming session with myself, writing three different Harsha on sticky notes and pasted them on my wall. I decided to go with 'Harsha Pro', who wanted to start her own business.

Feeling unsure of my next steps, I called Jatin Chaudhary for guidance and asked if I could meet him, and he suggested meeting half an hour before eChai event at IIM later that evening. I was extremely excited to meet him because I never thought that day would come that soon. So when I met Jatin I said , “Abhi resign to daal diya hai immediate basis par, entrepreneur hi banna hai but pata nahi iske baad kya karna hota hai?

He explained various aspects of HR, training, and development, providing valuable insights and references.

And so began my rollercoaster journey with Hummingbird, which continues to this day. It's been a journey filled with challenges, triumphs, and failures, and I'm ready to build HummingBird whatever it takes.

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

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)

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.

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

Conversations going beyond businesses but all align to make businesses bigger n better.

It was fun being part of today’s eChai SaaS Social at Magenta Insights office.

One journey setting path for another journey. Problems/Challenges bringing people together for bigger - brighter and more productive solutions.

Thanks you

Vikas Mundhra

and

Jatin Chaudhary

! cannot miss to mention - the happiness bell  is such a motivating n cute thing. 

Entrepreneurs present are great minds bringing innovative solutions.

And we all sneaked in for a quick photo shoot. Looks fab. Great places designed for best working - Devx.

Cheers