What are your thoughts on the Gujarat ecosystem for startups ?
Gujarat is Home to >12000 startups & having studied in Mumbai , worked in Delhi & natively coming from Rajasthan here is my thought on Ahmedabad as a city :
1. Quite economical in terms of rentals & manpower costs for sure 2. Super infra & govt support with places like Ihub by Guj Gov offering coworking starting at just 3k per person which is like 4x in Mumbai. Alongside a lot of fund support also with Schemes like Srujan 3. Very safe & better quality of life (specially Space :)) than both the cities. With the recent new Delhi AQI at dangerous level, I feel Ahmedabad might emerge as a good option (although AQI here is sometimes at dangerous levels too) 4. With the biggest stadium & project like Gift cities some of the best events like Cold play , probably Olympics & recent Diljit show happen here too. For Tea totallers what else would they need :)
Of course there are a lot of challenges in terms of finding the right people to work or also concerns about rapid urbanization but I think Ahmedabad will be able to retain its charm !
If I missed any point do add in comment below 😊
Ps : let's discuss more in depth today in the sessions by one the most active folks in this ecosystem Jatin Chaudhary !
Key takeaways from our power-packed evening: 🔸 You can’t hire rockstars every day, but you can build processes that help average people create extraordinary results 🔸 Build what customers want, not what you think they want 🔸 Master one niche before expanding to others 🔸 Don’t raise capital just because you can - look for strategic value 🔸 Own customer relationships, even on marketplaces 🔸 Partner strategically - understand both user and buyer 🔸 Women drive shared purchase decisions for Coupl - crucial for D2C targeting 🔸 Focus on processes that make success repeatable 🔸 Create frameworks where anyone can deliver quality
This insightful event is tailored for small & medium businesses, providing attendees with deep insights into the potential of WhatsApp for business growth and learning how to get the festive season ready - from Ganesh Chaturthi to New Year!
I had an amazing time speaking at the recent D2C Day event organized by eChai Ventures It was an honor to be part of such a dynamic and inspiring gathering.
The energy in the room was electric, and the level of talent and curiosity in the audience made me optimistic about where India's digital ecosystem is heading.
Sharing my journey with Minicult.in, from starting in my nephew's room to a Brand, was truly exciting for me. We also had a fantastic Q&A session, answering many insightful questions from the audience.
A huge shoutout to Jatin Chaudhary for organizing such a fantastic event and to eChai Ventures for being the perfect event partner and Nanda Kumar for hosting the panel and keeping the conversation dynamic and engaging!
It was wonderful to share the panel with Inderjeet Kaur Indy ↗️. Your insights were invaluable!
Innovative D2C Strategies Unveiled at 🛍 D2C Bangalore Mixer!
Our recent meetup at Netcore's Bangalore office with D2C pioneers from SOQO, Iyurved, #JohnJacobs (Lenskart.com) lit the way for mastering the digital-first brand journey. ✨
Key takeaways from the panelists: 🌱 Janvi Tiwari - showcased strategies for niche product success through strong community engagement, setting a blueprint for brands that truly connect.
💡 Vandita Tewari - explored the rising ROAS challenge, offering insights on smart customer acquisition and distribution efficiency.
📈 Shivam Tiwari - mastered the art of scaling campaigns within large brands. It's about balancing reach and relevance to cut through the noise.
These leaders prove that strategic growth, community engagement, and smart decisions drive D2C success. 🎯
Here's how we're powering the next generation of B2C innovators: 💻 Up to $30,000 in product credits 🧠 Expert mentorship from industry leaders 🤝 A powerful network of partners and peers
Whether you're gearing up for your next big leap or fine-tuning your growth engine, we've got your back every step of the way.
Ready to write your own success story? Apply Now in the comments!
Follow along for insights, success stories, and more as we continue to elevate the B2C startup ecosystem.
🚀 I am sure you missed this in #Mumbai.. . I was honored to have been the speaker along with Rajendra Lora at the recent eChai Ventures community meetup at DevX, Andheri
🌟 Moderated by Shubham Dumbre, I shared my raw startup journey and it was an absolute thrill, especially with such an inspiring audience of young founders and top voice like Dr. Hashim Adil 🏆, including many incredible female leaders like Aanchal Verma🏆 students, and passionate professionals.
From practical startup-building advice to insights on hiring and achieving the extraordinary, our session was a heartwarming exchange of knowledge and motivation.
Remembering the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
Reflecting on the insightful panel discussion at E-Chai Ventures, where I had the privilege to speak alongside Pathik Patel from Fit & Flex, Sumit 'Curl' Karranji from Curlin Professional, and Kena Shah from Inara. The topic, "Insights from Scaling Up," sparked engaging conversations about the challenges and triumphs we’ve encountered on our journeys as D2C founders.
A special thank you to Jatin Chaudhary, Co-founder of eChai Ventures, for orchestrating this opportunity. Your platform continues to inspire and empower entrepreneurs to share their stories and grow together.
Scaling a business is never a linear path, but with shared experiences and collective wisdom, we can navigate it more effectively. Here’s to continuing the journey, learning from each other, and striving for greater heights.
If you are also a D2C founder, do share the challenges you face in your journey.
🎥 Presenting RENÉE Cosmetics's First TVC Starring Mrunal Thakur! 🎥
We are thrilled to unveil a new chapter in the RENEE journey with the launch of our very first television commercial. Featuring the ever-talented Mrunal Thakur, this film is more than just an introduction to our latest product—RENEE Midnight Kohl Kajal. It’s a celebration of bold beauty and timeless elegance.
Our Midnight Kohl Kajal isn’t just a makeup essential; it’s a statement. Designed for those who believe in the power of their gaze, this kajal delivers intense, long-lasting color that lets your eyes do all the talking.
A special thanks to Mrunal Thakur for embodying the spirit of RENEE, and to our incredible team who brought this vision to life. This is just the beginning of what we have in store, and we can't wait to share it with you.
Stay tuned, because the magic is about to unfold on screens everywhere. ✨
Every time I share my journey, I am reminded of all that I had to let go in order to be where I am. . But, when I look back, I feel everything was worth it and I'd do it all over again 😀 my mistakes were mine and it's proof that I did it, I tried, I learnt and I grew! . Every meet up they ask me, have you failed? Oh yes! I have failed a million times, and I still fail daily in a lot of places, but after failing, I cry, get disappointed, take a break but then once again, ask for help, try another way, do more research and keep trying till I succeed. . Have I given up? Yes, I have. There are times when you know giving up on that particular idea is making more sense, then you give up and work on something else. . So yes I am where I am because of my mistakes, failures and flaws but I've moved forward with my persistence and determination 🩷 . A warm hug to myself, for we often forget to appreciate ourselves 💕
An initiative by Netcore for Startups to enable budding founders to get a sneak peek at how they transformed their pitches into success while navigating the entrepreneurial landscape
Extending heartfelt thanks to Malav Warke and eChai Ventures for the gracious invitation to join the panel alongside Deepa Bhowmick from Daisy Life at the recent D2C startups meetup in Pune.
It was an incredibly insightful experience, filled with enriching discussions and valuable networking opportunities. Your dedication to cultivating collaboration within the D2C ecosystem is truly inspiring!
Gallabox is a no-code, conversational commerce platform that leverages the WhatsApp Business API to help small and medium-sized businesses improve their sales conversions.
About the team
Yogesh was one of the early Engineering team members at Sulekha where he built the marketplace for Local Services, mining deep understanding of user needs and ‘matchmaking’ with SMB offers. He was also the first Engineering team member at CredAvenue where he built the fintech marketplace for debt.
Yathin created the Value Delivery function at Sulekha, a system that kept track of what’s due to paying customers and led the B2B product at Sulekha that was used by over 50,000 SMBs to keep track of their leads and deals.
Karthik helped build Sulekha’s Local Services business from ground up and built it to a Rs 100 crore ARR on the back of over 50,000 SMBs. He saw how the Internet was impacting SMBs at the dawn of the digital era while at Sify. He built the wedding services marketplace for Matrimony with users on one end and SMBs on the other.
Eureka moment
Sales is the lifeblood for small to medium sized businesses, but they lack the resources & know-how to convert their prospects and sell better.
We want to help businesses grow their sales through cutting-edge technologies channeled through easy-to-use tools - to digitize and automate their customer interactions.
How does it work?
Business model
We are a SaaS company and charge subscription for use of our product. Plans vary by features and are designed for businesses of all sizes
Traction
We now serve almost 1,000 paying customers from India and abroad, while over 12,000 businesses use our product for free.
Community support
Help us with product feedback, offer constructive criticism and brainstorm for new ideas for product road-map and for GTM.
Had an amazing time on the eChai's panel discussion last weekend about D2C startups, alongside Sanil Jain of 'The Better Shop' and Aayush Poddar of 'The Messy Corner'. 🚀
One of the highlights of the event was the exceptional quality of questions from the audience. 💡
Drawing from my own experiences, I was able to contribute to the discussion by sharing insights from my journey of building Clapper 🎬, and working with SUGAR Cosmetics.
Building Clapper, has given me a unique perspective on engaging with a young and dynamic audience. Understanding their preferences and constantly innovating to meet their needs has been key to our success. 💪
Whereas working with SUGAR Cosmetics has helped to understand the significance of branding and marketing in the beauty and personal care sector.
I hope that the insights shared during the session will inspire others to embark on their own journey. 🙏
> 1 million Applications Received across India 🇮🇳 > Only 1 Lakh Shortlisted > Only 800 Startups selected for Personal Interview > Only 200 pitches are selected to 'Present in front of Sharks' for Shoot at Film City.
Recently I got an opportunity to meet Pitchers at Shark Tank India at eChai meetup.
It was truly enlightening and inspiring, offering valuable insights and perspectives that will undoubtedly benefit me both personally and professionally.
> Chetan Kanani - A Visionary Businessman > Adil Qadri - Great gunda of his Niche > Mohit Gadhiya - Calm and Visionary Entrepreneur > Anand Nahar & Amrit Nahar - Concrete combo of Fun and Finance and Food > @𝐑𝐚𝐣 bhai 𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 - Senior most one and Authentic person
𝐓𝐨𝐩 5 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐮𝐩
1️⃣ Focus on expertise, not just interface 2️⃣ Mind set is everything so be a part of Community and attend the Training Sessions of your niche 3️⃣ Entrepreneurs have vision not only Growth Plans 4️⃣ Don't be good, Be great at Business Finance Numbers 5️⃣ Be authentic all the time
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. 📱➡️🌟
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. 💡🤝
iThink Logistics is a SAAS platform made to empower eCommerce businesses through logistical and operational enhancements with the help of technology.
Let me take you back to where it all began - how I crossed paths with my co-founders, Bharat and Vipul. We were buddies who embarked on our entrepreneurial journey in 2011 with our SAAS venture, "Depasser Infotech," where we dabbled in tech services. Fast forward to 2016, the eCommerce scene picked up pace, and we decided to dive into that realm alongside our existing venture. However, navigating the eCommerce landscape proved challenging, especially with the logistical hurdles we encountered. During this time, Vipul reached out to his friend Paresh, who had a wealth of experience in logistics, seeking advice on our predicament. The more we delved into it, the more apparent it became that many others in the eCommerce sphere faced similar issues.
That's when Paresh brought Nikul into the fold, leveraging his expertise in logistics and finance. In 2017, the five of us came together to launch iThink Logistics. We each brought something unique - Vipul's strategic acumen, my knack for communication, Bharat's tech savviness, Paresh's operational prowess, and Nikul's financial wizardry. With a shared vision to transform eCommerce logistics, iThink Logistics was born.
Today, we proudly stand with over 10,000+ eCommerce brands, providing them with a one-stop solution for all their logistics needs.
Suta is a mindful, artisan-led brand that is best known for reintroducing sarees as everyday wear and for reviving several heirloom indigenous crafts.
Taniya Biswas
and I are sisters – we met when she was born (since she is younger to me)! But the decision to become co-founders was made roughly a decade ago. We toyed with a few ideas before finally founding Suta in 2016.
Before co-founding Suta, Taniya (Ta) and I were both passionate about creating a venture of our own, which would serve the greater good. We both let go of lucrative corporate jobs, driven by this vision and our passion for meaningful change. Suta was born of our own nostalgic love for cotton sarees – those worn by the womenfolk in our homes.
We wanted to bring back sarees into the mainstream as versatile garments for everyday wear, instead of being relegated to pujas and festivities alone. That’s how Suta came to be.
Today, we’re focused on reviving heirloom Indian crafts through our products and finding them audiences across India and even internationally. Our motto is to ensure that the weavers and artisans we work with (17,000+) have a regular source of income, the means and motivation to pursue their crafts, and do not have to migrate from their ancestral homes to larger cities in search of work.
As co-founders, we follow a very fluid process and both of us jointly undertake our responsibilities. We believe that we work best when we work together, and that our two minds are better than either by itself. That said, I am better with more analytical processes and decisions, while Ta is a creative minefield.
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.
Taniya Biswas
Zaiba Sarang
Bhavesh Patel
Aditya Shah
Vishakha Shah
Sushil Agrawal
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