eChai SF: Fund Raising for Startups - VCs Panel

eChai SF: Fund Raising for Startups - VCs Panel

October 02, Thursday, 2025
5:00pm — 07:00pm (GMT-07)
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, 150 E San Fernando St, San Jose, CA 95112, United States.
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Saad Waghbakriwala - Shabnam Petrofils pvt Ltd
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Agenda:
Raising capital is one of the most crucial — and often misunderstood — parts of the startup journey. Founders face questions every day: What do VCs look for? How should you structure your pitch? When is the right time to raise, and how much is too much?

​At this eChai session, we’ll flip the perspective and explore fundraising through the lens of venture capitalists and ecosystem leaders. This is not just theory—it’s a chance to understand the inside playbook, straight from those who see hundreds of startups and deals each year.

🎙 Featured Speakers

🔹 Vinit Bhansali - Takshil Ventures

​3× founder and Partner at Takshil Ventures(a $30M concentrated early-stage technology investment firm), where he unpacks how early-stage venture investing is evolving in a world shaped by AI, fast followers, and rising product-led expectations.

🔹 Fady Barsoum - Baird Augustine

​As a key voice in bridging startups with local and international ecosystems, Fady focuses on enabling founders to access resources, capital, and partnerships. He brings a broader economic and ecosystem lens, helping entrepreneurs understand how macro trends, policy, and global shifts shape investor decisions and startup opportunities.

🔹 Jordan Wahbeh - SV Ventures Group

​Jordan Wahbeh is Managing Partner at SV Venture Group, a syndicate investing in companies that improve the human condition. SVVG backs B2B and B2B2C startups at Series A, Pre-A, and late seed with a focus on deep tech, AI, health, fintech, logistics, space, and climate. Their typical check size ranges from $150K–$500K, supporting founders building technology that shapes a better future.

💡 What You’ll Learn

  • ​How VCs assess founder–market fit, timing, and scale potential.
  • ​The nuances of fundraising in today’s climate—what has changed and what hasn’t.
  • ​How ecosystem partnerships and macro trends influence startup success.
  • ​Practical tips for crafting pitches and investor updates that resonate.
🌐 Why Attend?

​This event is designed for:

  • Founders raising or planning to raise capital.
  • Operators & builders curious about what VCs look for.
  • Students & aspiring entrepreneurs who want to peek behind the curtain of venture investing.
​Beyond insights, you’ll connect with fellow founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders in a candid, interactive session.
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The people

These open and free events are hosted across cities and countries as part of a broader effort to keep the startup ecosystem accessible, inclusive, and connected. You’ll find a diverse mix of participants: early-stage founders, students, aspiring entrepreneurs, professionals exploring transitions, and others curious about the theme. Each event brings a different experience, shaped by the people who show up.

The format

We host panels, talks, socials, open houses, and demo days in different formats. Each individual event listing clearly mentions what’s planned, so you know exactly what kind of experience to expect before you register.

The flow

You can check the exact time and map address of the venue directly on the event page. Once you register, you typically receive four emails: a confirmation, a reminder a day before the event, another on the day itself, and a follow-up after it ends. You can manage your email notifications at any time.

The guest list

The participant list on the event page keeps updating as more people register. Since attendees often sign up through platforms like eChai, Meetup, Eventbrite, and others, the visible numbers may not reflect the complete turnout. Speakers are usually announced three to four days before the event, and you’ll also start seeing featured participants appear as they register.

The context

You can also explore the list of past participants and speakers from each city to get a sense of who typically joins. It offers a glimpse into the kind of conversations, collaborations, and diversity that shape each meetup. Every event has its own purpose, shaped by its theme, setting, and the community that gathers around it.

The experience

Some people come to learn, others to connect, and many just to explore. While the agenda provides structure, the real energy often comes from the spontaneous conversations and shared curiosity in the room. These events are open to a broad mix of people including students, professionals, early-stage founders, and aspiring entrepreneurs. If you are specifically looking to meet only growth-stage or highly targeted founders, this may not be the right format for you. In that case, you might explore scale up dinners and socials for growth stage founders and operators.

The eChai Effect - In Their Words

"After moving back from the USA, eChai became my go-to space to learn how the Indian startup ecosystem works. It offered direct exposure to startup thinking and a community that openly shares business insights. What stood out was how easy it was to connect, learn, and grow through real conversations. As we built our IT hardware rentals business, eChai helped us find our niche and refine our path. Proud and grateful to be part of this amazing community."
Heet Sheth - Growth and Tech, Sheth Info
Heet Sheth
Growth and Tech, Sheth Info
“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
Syed Nadeem Jafri
Founder, Hearty Mart
"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.