This Sunday, from 3 to 6 pm, a group of rebels gathered ... not for gyaan, but for AI-first workflow rewiring.
We didn’t talk about “what AI can do.” We showed what we are doing ... with it.
From rocket .new to Claude.code agents, ChatGPT + Gemini to granola .ai, lovable, hume, emergent ... each tool had a champion. Each workflow, a story. Each person, a perspective.
We explored:
→ Why Business Process Reengineering is no longer a Six Sigma luxury—it’s survival. → Why AI Horror Stories start with blind use, not bold use. → Why Full-Stack Thinking beats tool-stacking.
No slides. No spectators. Just hands-on demos. Laughter. A few “oh damn” moments.
We didn’t leave with answers. We left with upgrades ... mindset, skillset, drive... and toolsets to execute next.
Most tech founders obsess over speed. Bill Gates, it turns out, obsesses over clarity.
Whether he’s scaling Microsoft or reinventing sanitation, Inside Bill’s Brain shows us a mind wired not just for ambition — but for deep, structured thinking.
What This Watch Is
Directed by Davis Guggenheim, this 3-part Netflix doc explores how Gates works through massive challenges — from building software that changed the world to tackling polio, nuclear energy, and toilet tech. It’s part biography, part systems thinking masterclass.
Why It Matters Now
For founders navigating complex products, ambiguous markets, or long feedback loops, this is a crash course in mental modeling. Gates doesn’t just move fast — he moves deliberately, with frameworks that stretch across decades. His ability to absorb, abstract, and act is something most of us try to mimic, but rarely see up close.
Key Takeaways
– Bill protects deep focus like it’s oxygen. He schedules “Think Weeks” where reading and reflection are the only agenda.
– He treats hard problems like engineering puzzles — even in public health. That mindset shift is powerful.
– Decision-making isn’t rushed. He gathers, questions, rewrites the problem, and only then commits.
– The documentary also shows emotional complexity — how he processes loss, legacy, and imperfection.
Why I’m Recommending It
It reminded me that systems outlast sprints. That intensity is nothing without insight. And that founders aren’t just builders — we’re problem framers first. Watching Gates reframe challenges with almost mechanical patience helped me reconsider how I approach product strategy at Upsquare.
If you’re building something ambitious — and want to sharpen how you think, not just what you do — this one’s worth your time.
We had a packed room, some super interesting founder pitches, and a whole lot of wisdom and warmth.
Huge gratitude to Pras Hanuma, who literally came straight from the airport after a delayed flight - thank you for showing up with such presence and generosity 🙏
Thank you to the amazing team at DevX for the vibrant work space, and to Jatin Chaudhary and eChai Ventures for giving me the opportunity to host this incredible session!
We need more mornings like this in Mumbai! One where founders show up, ask better questions, and leave a little more inspired than when they walked in.
Just a few hours ago, I had the opportunity to attend one of the most grounded and honest startup conversations I’ve experienced in a while. Hosted by eChai Ventures, the focus was clear: Building Startup Teams & Company Culture — but the takeaways went far beyond titles.
Here's what I learned today from founders who’ve been in the trenches:
1. Culture Isn't Built in Docs. It’s Built in Reactions.
One founder said it best:
“People don’t watch what you say, they watch how you act—especially in difficult moments.” Whether it's resolving disputes or making tough calls, your reactions shape your company's real DNA.
2. Want Loyalty? Build Open Channels, Not Just Pay Hikes
“If someone wants to leave, they will. But if they feel heard, they might not even want to.” An open-door culture with real feedback loops matters more than retention bonuses.
3. Hire for Alignment, Not Just Resumes
One founder shared how their average cost per hire rose from ₹3.5L to ₹12L in under a decade. The shift? Not just inflation—but a focus on mindset alignment over skill matching.
4. AI Is Coming—But Adoption Is a Culture Shift Too
Some brands, like Theka Coffee , are still experimenting. Others are integrating AI into internal workflows and CX. The consensus:
“AI isn’t about tools. It’s about readiness—organizationally and mentally.”
5. Sometimes Leadership Means Saying Goodbye
“If someone repeatedly blocks progress, you must choose mission over momentary peace.” One founder shared how hard, but necessary, it was to part ways with senior team members misaligned with long-term goals.
Personal Reflection:
As someone who works closely with teams across marketing, sales, and product, this session reinforced a key truth: People strategy is business strategy. Whether you’re scaling a startup or running a digital campaign—how you build matters just as much as what you build.
If you’re building a team, culture, or vision—let’s connect. And if you’re curious how AI, leadership, marketing and digital culture can intersect—DMs open.
Grateful to be part of Ahmedabad’s buzzing #founder ecosystem. If you're building teams or culture—or just figuring it out like the rest of us—this one's for you.
The heart of any startup is its people. They’re the ones who bring a startup to life, infusing it with energy, values, and character. Founders can only go so far without a solid team behind them.
It was a power-packed discussion filled with fresh perspectives on building and nurturing teams — covering everything from first hires to off-boarding. What struck me the most was how each founder had a unique approach, yet the principles guiding those decisions had a lot in common.
One of the most powerful moments was a story shared by Shalin, about resolving a team conflict — a brilliant reminder of how real leadership is tested not in planning, but in the messy human moments.
Another thing I really admire about eChai events is how open and generous the speakers are with their learnings. There's no gatekeeping — just a room full of people who genuinely want to help each other grow. As a relatively new founder, that kind of environment is rare and energizing.
Here are my 5 key takeaways:
1. Be crystal clear on who you're hiring — even for early roles. 2. Hiring no one is better than hiring the wrong person. 3. Don't try to clone your personality across the team. Let the team evolve its own culture. 4. In conflicts, defuse tension first. Only then begin the conversation. 5. Every team is different. The hiring process must reflect that.
It is easy to find help for tech for any founder, but there are very few conversations happening around the non-technical aspects of a startup. Grateful to be part of conversations like these. There's always something new to learn when founders share openly.
“When we launched LegalWiz.in back in 2016, concept of procuring legal and compliance services through a digital commerce platform wasn't as prominent in India. eChai played a significant role in providing the early adopters, and building significant positioning in the startup fraternity. Overtime, eChai grew to be a massive network of like-minded entrepreneurs and extended that benefit to all the members in a true "co-rise" spirit. I personally love to attend eChai events, learn from subject matter experts who share relatable and actionable insights and experiences. For startup journeys, it is so important to be surrounded by people who can add relevance, perspective, and push you to do better. Most importantly a group of people where you aren't being judged about things going right or wrong, but be a motivational force that keeps you going, yet keeping you in check. eChai is that place for me!”
Shrijay Sheth
Founder at LegalWiz.in and Hire4Higher Consulting
"The eChai platform has been super valuable for me - it has helped me gain a deeper understanding of domains in the startup and tech ecosystem. What stands out most is the celebration of knowledge, professional growth, and entrepreneurship - it’s one of the best for the Indian ecosystem. Along the way, I’ve also been fortunate to make some great friendships and connections too."
Shalin (Shawn) Parikh
Founder, MyCPE One
“I have no hesitation in saying that my association with eChai has been a gateway into the startup ecosystem. Through this platform, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with many young and dynamic entrepreneurs. These interactions have been immensely enriching - I’ve learned a great deal and have always tried to offer guidance whenever approached. It’s a truly symbiotic relationship that I deeply value, and it wouldn’t have been possible without eChai.”
Syed Nadeem Jafri
Founder, Hearty Mart
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.
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