Founders and startup folks who joined past eChai startup events

The eChai Effect - In Their Words

"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
“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
"eChai has played a truly pivotal role in HummingBird’s journey — even before Day Zero. From ideation to establishment and into growth, it’s been a constant source of support. 

It connected me with incredible people who’ve become more than just friends. One of the biggest reasons I chose to stay in Ahmedabad is because of the eChai community. It has shaped my growth — both personally and professionally — in ways that are hard to articulate. 

Honestly, words fall short when I try to express what eChai means to me. I’m deeply thankful and forever grateful to eChai for being such an integral part of my journey."
Harsha Bhurani - Founder, HummingBird Consulting Group
Harsha Bhurani
Founder, HummingBird Consulting Group

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.

Academia
Narayana Business School

Narayana Business School is recognized as the preferred destination for top companies seeking exceptional talent and future leaders.

IT Hardware
Sheth Info

Your go-to destination for branded and refurbished IT hardware

Legal
LegalWiz.in

Online legal services for startups and MSMEs.

Blockchain Development
Timechain Labs

Global blockchain development services.

Creative and Marketing Agencies
Digipple

We drive growth for brands with strategic, creative, and tech-enabled solutions.

CoLiving
Draper Startup House

Living and working spaces for startup communities.