Founders and startup folks who joined past eChai startup events

The eChai Effect - In Their Words

“You don’t plan to build a company via eChai.
You just keep showing up … and one day, you realize you did.”

I’ve known Jatin since 2012, when I was still deciding what kind of second innings I wanted to play as an entrepreneur.

Over the years, through events, chai breaks, intros, and seemingly small conversations,
eChai helped shape not just Upsquare but also refined the lens through which we see collaboration.

At Upsquare, we’ve hired talent, met partners, discovered co-investors, and built lifelong friendships.
One of our joint ventures exists today only because a casual eChai memory sparked a deeper trust.

Now, as we build House of Starts — our venture builder — eChai continues to fuel our mission: co-creating a shared future.

eChai isn’t just a startup network. It’s a trust network.
And for business builders like me, that makes all the difference."
Utpal Vaishnav - Founder @ Upsquare & House of Starts • Angel Investor + LP
Utpal Vaishnav
Founder @ Upsquare & House of Starts • Angel Investor + LP
"I have evolved from role of Community Builder to Startup Consultant to Startup Ecosystem Enabler to Angel Investor and now launching a Venture Studio and eChai has been a catalyst in my overall journey as Startup Evangelist since 13 years."
Mehul Shah - Co-Founder at Counselvise & Ivy Growth
Mehul Shah
Co-Founder at Counselvise & Ivy Growth
"For me, eChai is a second home. I've been associated with it since the early days, when it was already setting a different tone for how startup communities could work. 

As a traditional business owner entering the new-age D2C space, eChai supported me in every direction. 

Over the years, it became my window to the startup world — and also gave me lifelong friends who continue to show up, for business and beyond."
Pankaj Bhimani - Founder, 58miles
Pankaj Bhimani
Founder, 58miles

eChai Partner Brands

eChai Ventures partners with select brands as their growth partner - working together to explore new ideas, open doors, and build momentum across the startup ecosystem.

FoodTech
MealPe

Online Food Ordering Product Suite for Native Audiences

Customer Engagement Platform
Interakt

Transform your business with Whatsapp Business API.

FinTech and Financial Services
MYCPE ONE

Comprehensive suite of services for CPA & Accounting firms.

IT Hardware
Sheth Info

Your go-to destination for branded and refurbished IT hardware

Investment Banking
STIR Advisors

Strategic M&A and business consultancy.

D2C Brands
Perrian

Affordable gold and diamond jewelry with over 1600 designs.