Real-world solutions driving impactful change through technology and collaboration.
On September 27th, I had the opportunity to speak at the ClimateTech Startups Meetup, hosted by eChai Ventures at AIC GUSEC - Atal Incubation Center, Gujarat University. This event brought together some of the most innovative minds in sustainability, including @Ashit Chandaria (Belgrey Waters) and Dr. ANSHU KUMAR (AirX Purifier), to tackle pressing environmental challenges with cutting-edge solutions.
It was an exciting moment to showcase how Oizom is transforming air quality monitoring across 70+ countries. The discussions were not just insightful but action-oriented, highlighting the power of partnerships in driving meaningful, lasting change.
A big thank you to eChai Ventures and GUSEC for creating this platform. Together, we’re not just talking about the future—we’re building it.
Success Story: Celebrating Partnerships with eChai
Over the years, we have had the privilege of meeting some truly remarkable people, thanks to the various programs and events organized by Jatin and the team at eChai. The eChai community has been instrumental in helping us (IndiaBizForSale) build valuable relationships with founders and entrepreneurs, and this ecosystem has played a significant role in our growth. Our journey with eChai began in early 2014 when we first met Jatin at CIIE (now IIM A Ventures).
I still remember how, without hesitation, he recommended that we meet six individuals who could help us. That kind of easy access, with no expectations, really highlighted the essence of eChai: the power of paying it forward. Fast-forward to 2024, and I’m glad to share that we (IndiaBizForSale and now also IBGrid) have closed several successful transactions through connections made in the eChai community.
One standout example is the recent funding secured for DevX, facilitated by investors from the IndiaBiz network. Our initial introduction to the founders of DevX came through Jatin, and over the years, we strengthened this relationship through multiple interactions at eChai events. That trust and camaraderie eventually led to their successful fundraising round—and yes, we happily earned our fees from it 😊.
In recognition of the immense value that eChai has brought to us and the wider ecosystem, I’m happpppy to announce that we’ve partnered with eChai as they transition to their new business model, becoming growth partners for brands.
As far as I know, we’re the first to pay affiliate fees for the outcomes we’ve achieved through eChai, and it feels great to be part of this next chapter.
A huge thank you to Jatin, Kunal, and the entire eChai team for their unwavering support throughout our journey. We’re incredibly grateful and look forward to many more successful collaborations in the future.
At eChai Ventures, we are collaborating with the Accel on the Accel Atoms program, along with many other good folks from the ecosystem.
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Accel is back with the fourth cohort of their pre seed accelerator - Accel Atoms. Over the last 3 cohorts, they’ve funded 30+ startups who’ve collectively raised more than $200 Million. With their fourth cohort they’re looking to invest in founders building in two thriving sectors - AI & Bharat.
What is the AI opportunity? 🤖
Microprocessors led the first tech revolution, which was followed by the internet. The third tech revolution is led by Artificial Intelligence (AI). This is a global opportunity for any Indian-origin founder to build AI applications for business cases or to building development/ foundational tools in the AI ecosystem.
What is the Bharat opportunity? 🇮🇳
The top 20 per cent of the rural population has a higher monthly per capita expenditure (MPCE) than about 50 per cent of the urban population. This highlights the substantial purchasing power & opportunity that is often overlooked in Bharat.
Who should apply for Accel Atoms? 🫵🏻
Accel Atoms is looking ambitious founders with an ambitious idea in AI or Bharat. This includes startups at the pre-seed stage to startups in the idea-stage/ pre-product stage.
Why should you apply for Accel Atoms? 🤔
When selected, you’ll receive up to $1 Million in funding, perks worth $5 Million & access to a community of 300+ founders. You will also get access to a dedicated learning track to set up your startup for long term success.
✅Support our 5,000+ early-stage startup community, acing their journey from Zero to One ✅A three-month action-packed "Open Accelerator" to learn all about Starting Up ✅Learn from the ones who have worked their way up! From the Community, by the Community ✅Engage in a series of online webinars and live interactions covering broad topics to ease the initial hustle ✅Suggest topics you would want to learn in detail and connect with mentors who could guide you better ✅Stand a chance to present your product to a larger audience at the "Demo Day" and interact with early-stage investors!
Tag your startup friend & colleague to remind them to join.
It takes a village to raise a child. It takes a community to raise a startup.
Grateful to have found eChai Ventures community & Jatin Chaudhary and an incredible network of people who continually inspire me and team at Digipple to push boundaries and strive for more.
As we open the doors to our new office, we’re excited to celebrate this milestone with our Founder Friends & Mentors at an exclusive eChai Marketing Social.
At Digipple, we believe the best is yet to come.
Let's continue to inspire, innovate, and co-rise.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for this special evening:
Bringing the first program of The Startup Code, an open accelerator program by eChai Ventures and LegalWiz.in, designed for early-stage founders and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Building a startup starts with finding the right people. But finding the perfect co-founders and early employees can be tough.
That’s why we’re bringing together founders who’ve been through it.
They’ll share what worked, the challenges they faced, and how they built their teams.
If you’re an early-stage or aspiring founder, this event is for you. You’ll get insights, a draft co-founders agreement, and a chance to connect with others looking for their ideal co-founders.
Join us for practical advice and meaningful connections.
it was indeed entrepreneurial and stimulating and enriching to listen to founder of TorchIt .
torchit works towards empowering the differently abled community using modern tech and giving them independence.( www.mytorchit.com)
Learnings from the founder of Torchit :
_ attendance to networking events helps find mentors and investors ..keep attending. keep meeting lots and lots of people .
_ alignment with your co-founder at skills and belief level is more important than functional alignment. having a co-founder always helps .
_ your purpose and it's clarity triggers the scale up strategy automatically.
_ innovation engine of a start up business is like a popcorn machine where you need to continuously pop up innovative ideas ..how many pop corn machines Can you instill in your start up ?
_ 18 versions of his prototype has made the company product robust to scale. keep on developing prototypes .fail forward .fail fast. iterate . _ you can learn anything .anything .including coding even though you are not a coder professionally . keep aspiring and keep learning. he built his program code himself .
_its good to have multiple mentors for every area of your business where you have concerns .listen to all mentors , use your gut and do what feels to you is good. you as a start up owner may need different styles different nature and different type of mentors as you progress along the business journey .having functionally qualified mentors ( as for example legal experts etc ) is more apt .
_ continuously talking to , interviewing with and observing your target audience is the best way to learn about products and innovation. he learnt that visually impaired clients not give " blunt " and right answers ..they always give good answers .so meeting more and more users, one of the users helped in understanding that his product was not up to the mark .and that thought triggered him to go deeper in their lives. so the founder decided to employ micro blind entrepreneurs who become trainers to their clients for torchit clients.
_ game of start up entrepreneurship is about completing a full cycle of the value chain . once done, and once sorted, your role is now to give the execution of the cycle to your team .your role is to be mentally free. being a innovator your role is not to sit idle, but to create similar such multiple cycles ( new products / new markets / new tech/ new orbits )
_product innovation and business innovation are two sepate types of innovation streams, according to him business innovation is the key trigger for his success
_ community building has been a key success factor for his success.creating a band of micro entrepreneurs who are having partially disability are a key segment for training and marketing their products
As a proud Rajasthani, I've always cherished the opportunity to visit my home state (though I have become half Gujarati now!), and this time is extra special - I'm beyond excited to announce that our upcoming Startup Meetup in Jaipur has received an overwhelming response with 400+ registrations!
Growing up in cities like Pali, Jodhpur, Kota, and Jaipur, I've witnessed firsthand the incredible talent and entrepreneurial spirit that thrives here. It's an honor to be able to contribute to this vibrant startup ecosystem, again and again!
When we were planning to start our air quality monitoring devices manufacturing company, we considered how our technology should work. We wanted it to collect data accurately and exhale pollutants like a human nose, which would improve its ability to detect pollution levels. After all the research and consideration, we decided to patent our own e-breathing technology, which works exactly like a human nose and lungs.
One of our amazing features is our e-breathing technology. Think of it as biomimicry inspired by the way human lungs work. A specially designed chamber keeps the air quality sensors safe from harsh environmental conditions while ensuring we get super-accurate data.
E-breathing technology allows Oizom to provide reliable and accurate air quality data, even in challenging environments. This accuracy is crucial for effective air quality management and informed decisions.
Here's what makes e-breathing technology so awesome:
Active Sampling: Our system actively draws in air for analysis, making sure we collect data continuously and consistently. No gaps, no misses.
High Accuracy: By isolating our sensors from environmental influences, e-breathing tech ensures we get highly accurate air quality measurements. This data is comparable to what you’d find with Federal Reference Method (FRM) grade monitoring stations.
Sensor Longevity: Our sensors are protected from harsh conditions, so they last longer and need less maintenance. This is a big win for both us and our clients.
Reflecting on the incredible journey of our 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 this past year, I am beyond thrilled to announce that we have achieved a phenomenal 𝟭𝟬𝘅 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵. This milestone is a testament to our unwavering commitment to our vision and mission.
At Univia , we have always aimed for excellence, and this achievement signifies that we are not just on the right path but also moving at top speed. Our team’s relentless dedication, innovative strategies, and customer-centric approach have driven us to this remarkable success. As we continue to push boundaries and break new ground, I am confident that this is just the beginning. Here’s to achieving greater heights together!
Excited to share that we have received a funding grant of $70,000 USD from Climate Policy Initiative! This support will significantly bolster our mission to transform our cities into Net Zero Cities. With our innovative Urban Photovoltaic solutions, we are empowering city corporations to achieve their solar goals without dedicating additional land resources.
Moreover, our Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) solutions are designed to help millions of people living in high-rise buildings adopt solar energy, even without rooftop access.
Together, we are paving the way for a sustainable and green future, ensuring clean energy is accessible to all. Let’s work towards a brighter, cleaner world!
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting and engaging with incredible minds at the eChai Ventures Ahmedabad event at IIMA Ventures.
As a speaker, I had the opportunity to share my journey of building Cargar, diving into how and why we’re tackling the EV charging problem the way we are. We also explored the life of an entrepreneur, from day zero to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Looking ahead to 2030, I envision standing in the same place, among the same brilliant individuals, and thanking them for switching to green mobility and thanking them for using Cargar services. The future of green mobility is bright, and together, we’re driving the change.
I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Jatin Chaudhary for founding eChai Ventures and for the incredible work he’s doing. eChai has become a platform that amplifies voices, motivates individuals, and helps many make better career decisions. The impact of this initiative is truly inspiring, and I’m excited to see how it will continue to empower and guide people in their journeys.
At the eChai Ventures AI Day with GUSEC, one of the panellists, Chirag Patel, Chief Strategy Officer of Rysun Labs, emphasized the critical importance of embracing AI. He remarked, "In the future, there will only be two types of companies: those that embrace and adopt AI, and those that are shut down."
This resonates with the recent survey titled "Labour force perception about AI: A study on Indian white collar workers" done by Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad faculties & industry experts. It was released last day.
The survey reveals fascinating insights into AI adoption in India across industries like education, IT, manufacturing, and healthcare. • 𝟨𝟢% 𝘰𝘧 𝘦𝘹𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘈𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘫𝘰𝘣𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝟧𝟥% 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴. • 𝟩𝟢% 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘶𝘱𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘈𝘐 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘵𝘩, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝟨𝟨% 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘈𝘐 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘴. • 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘛 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺, 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝟥𝟤% 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘐 𝘫𝘰𝘣𝘴, 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢.
With AI making inroads across sectors, India’s AI market is expected to grow from $4.2 billion in 2023 to $8.3 billion by 2025. While AI adoption is rapid, caution is advised as the workforce gears up to upskill and adapt.
It’s clear—AI is transforming industries and creating both challenges and opportunities. Continuous learning and upskilling will be crucial to harnessing the potential of this AI-driven future.
Professionally, I have been using AI tools and it has enhanced my productivity and also helped in do mundane jobs while giving me extra time for creativity and complex problem-solving.
However, there can't be any replacement for Human Intelligence or maybe it is wishful thinking. Only AI can tell 😀.
Would love to hear your opinion & insights on this.
It was an absolute pleasure to meet you, Allan Koltin. I've been following your incredible journey since the start of my career in the US accounting industry, and your insights have always been invaluable to me. Truly humbled by your humility and generosity in taking the time to share your wisdom. Thank you for the great conversation—I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn from one of the best in the field!
As we are working on product development at Binary Infura. I always had questions related to "Selling the product before or while building it". I was fortunate to have the opportunity to discuss this with Panelists. Luckily panelists are also tech product founders and so, they shared valuable insights from their journey.
Got an opportunity to reconnect with old & new US state alumni based in Ahmedabad. Attended the “Alumni Networking Event" hosted by the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai at the Centre for Environment Education (CEE), Ahmedabad.
As part of a Legislative Fellow way back in the Year 2016, I spent a month in the USA ( Washington DC & Reno) during the election time of Ex Prez Trump & Hillary Clinton and got first-hand experience of the US election frenzy. During the fellowship, the best part was meeting fellows from other parts of India & Pakistan who were working on sustainability, digital media, storytelling, social mobilisation & the political domain. Also, staying with host US families and getting first-hand experience of American culture.
As part of this meet-up, we exchanged ideas, experiences, and insights to see how each of us can partner in making a positive impact in our chosen area of work.
The breakout sessions on Climate Change, Women’s Economic Empowerment, DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility), and Education led to thought-provoking discussions & collaborative opportunities.
A big thank you to Nerissa Castelino and the team for organizing such an enriching experience, and special thanks to Rob Anderson and Tejal Vasavada for hosting the event. Also, met Nayankumar Dave,a media veteran and former TOI colleague, after a long time.
Hope to have meaningful collaboration & partnerships on issues which are close to our hearts.
In case, you are a US state alumni based in Ahmedabad/ Gujarat and still not part of the community, do PM me to join the dedicated WhatsApp community. :)
We work with a wide range of event organizers at AllEvents, from local gatherings to global festivals. But seeing a traditional institution like ISKCON Bangalore✔ embrace digital technology for their Janmashtami celebrations is something truly special.
In just 2-3 days, tens of thousands of devotees registered online for the event. It’s inspiring to see how the temple is using technology not just to streamline the festival but to build a stronger, more connected community. Going digital allows them to plan future festivals more effectively, keep their community informed, and ultimately enhance the experience for everyone involved.
This partnership is a beautiful example of how tradition and technology can come together to create something meaningful. We’re proud to support ISKCON Temple Bangalore in their journey towards a more connected and engaged community.
As the founder of Currently.social, reaching that high of seeing genuine, unfiltered human connections flourish on the platform is an exhilarating moment—a validation of the vision that inspired this journey. But the high doesn’t end here. It extends to the experience of building an incredible team, composed of passionate individuals who believe in the mission just as much as I do. The shared struggle of everyday of discussing 100s of ideas, the late nights spent brainstorming and problem-solving—these are the moments that make the entrepreneurial journey even exciting everyday for me.
Building Currently isn't just about creating a product; it is about fostering a culture of innovation, resilience, and collaboration. The thrill of entrepreneurship comes from constantly challenging myself to take bigger bets, to push the boundaries of what’s possible, and to navigate the uncertainties that come with growing a startup. The journey has been filled with highs and lows, but each challenge faced and each milestone achieved has been a stepping stone towards something greater.
The ultimate high comes from knowing that Currently.social is more than just a platform; it’s a movement that’s changing the way people connect. And in building it, I’ve not only created a space for others to thrive, but I’ve also grown immensely as an individual, and it makes me ready to embrace the next big challenge life has for me on my way!
21st August, the world marks World Entrepreneurs' Day. I am reflecting on my journey as an employee, a consultant, and an entrepreneur. It is perhaps the most exciting ride one can ever board, but that's not for everyone.
As LegalWiz.in's primary target market remains to be #smallBusinesses and #Startups, our commercial success is a direct function of how much of the youth is willing to dive into the journey of entrepreneurship. With the hope of creating the next big #innovations and #Unicorns out of #India - all Incubation Centers, Policymakers, and Motivational Speakers are aligned to project the best that is out there for us. Much like your family physician who would want you to stay healthy, but their income still depends on how often you fall sick.
However, it is almost a moral responsibility of the stakeholders in the ecosystem to discuss the unpopular side of the story. If you are planning to start a new venture, consider this before committing to the #StartupLife
You are entering a high-risk, high-reward game:
"90% of the Indian Startups fail in the first 5 years" is what most studies conclude. While we all admire the growth of a few, there is enough of the bloodbath that often goes unseen. Make sure you have the skillset and risk appetite to sustain and grow!
Being a Startup Founder is a lifestyle choice:
The founder's lifestyle is not the same as the "Silicon Valley" life seen in the movies. It comes at a cost. While you remain focused on chasing your passion, you will somehow end up sacrificing on work-life balance, social life, and at times peace of mind. Well, that's all part of what you sign up for. If you can still enjoy that, there is enough adrenaline rush in that hustle too.
Investment is not just money:
Most founders would take the cost of running a startup as the money being invested. There are enough avenues to manage those resources. In my opinion, the most substantial investment is of time. You spend the prime years of your career chasing your ambitions. It is easy to go "all in". Chasing passion often doesn't allow you to draw boundaries. Hence, keeping yourself disciplined and taking rational calls are important.
Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face:
The most famous quote by Mike Tyson, and how relevant it is here! We all think our products and services are the game changers. We all build exceptional plans and build fancy financial models with numbers almost too good to be true. The secret sauce of success is still in execution. The only superpower and competitive edge that startups have over large corporates is their ability to pivot. If you see yourself failing, can you fail fast?
Is my problem, the world's problem?
Most of us are obsessively in love with our products and solutions. In some cases, just to realize that the problem we are trying to solve is not even a problem of plenty. If there is one mistake that I wouldn't repeat if I were to startup again is that I wouldn't aim for a perfect product. I would rather create MVPs, roll them out in the market, seek validation, and improvise!
Your family could be your biggest strength or weakness:
Well, as a founder, you still expect yourself to be socially present for your family. Startup hustle is just a part of your life, a substantial one but still just a part. Mental health is extremely critical while you navigate through the early phase. Make sure your career goals align with the lifestyle obligations you have towards your family. You can cruise through all the difficulties if you have your family and friends by your side. Also, being part of startup communities where you find founders going through the same hustle helps a lot. It provides an exceptional comfort where you can vent out, without being worried about anyone being judgemental.
Finally, not everyone is an entrepreneur and it is ok not to be one!
There are various career paths where you can achieve success. If you don't find yourself ready yet, please don't rush. Say, success is a function y=α+βX. Your β is a linear but comfortable reward. You may find plenty of examples where people contribute significantly to the success, without actually owning the organization - often known as "intrapreneurs". Your α is the abnormal return, positive or negative, that you are willing to create for the risk you ride.
I shared my thoughts with Rest of World sometime back and wanted to leave a link here for your reference. I believe it was an interesting read curated by Itika Sharma Punit
With all the caveats, founding a business is an exceptionally fulfilling journey. If you believe to be cut out for the ride, there isn't anything as thrilling. Wishing all a happy World Entrepreneurs' Day. Go and change the world, for a better tomorrow! 🙌🏻
The biggest high I've experienced as an entrepreneur has been the opportunity to uplift blue-collar workers in the restaurant industry. Seeing the impact of introducing digital tools to improve their productivity and job satisfaction has been incredibly rewarding. It's not just about making things more efficient—it's about bringing dignity and new opportunities to the people who are the backbone of our industry.
Another highlight has been learning to navigate uncertainty, especially when we had to pivot from focusing solely on corporate cafeterias to serving broader markets. Embracing ambiguity and learning from cash flow-driven entrepreneurs has shifted my approach to building a sustainable business. These moments of growth and impact are what make the journey so fulfilling.
What keeps me passionate about entrepreneurship is the thrill of solving new challenges every day. I remember when we first started Tej SolPro, we had a client who needed a complete digital overhaul, but their budget was tight. We had to think outside the box, and that's when the Sanskrit shloka 'उद्धरेदात्मनाऽऽत्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्' (Uddhared Atmanātmānaṃ Nātmānamavasādayet) really resonated with us — 'Lift yourself by yourself; don’t let yourself down.' We pulled through, not just delivering results, but also building a lasting relationship.
The ever-changing digital landscape keeps me excited, like the time we had to quickly pivot our strategy to adapt to a major algorithm change. It was stressful, but also exhilarating, and we came out stronger. Moments like these, where we learn, adapt, and grow, are what fuel my entrepreneurial spirit.
I started my entrepreneurial journey 10 years ago... my first project was to run Google Ads for an educational product. I did the campaign setup myself and got quite excited to see ads I wrote appear on Google Search. Till date, I feel the same excitement whenever we launch a campaign.
When your plans converts into action and translates into clients' success - it's the best reward. That's the reason tagline of MeDigit is 'Brilliance in Action'. Wish you all a very happy entrepreneurs day.
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.
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