eChai: The AI Gold Rush - Behind The Bets SF

Happened on May 28, Wednesday, 2025
5:30am — 07:30am (GMT-07)
Dr. Martin Luther King - Jr. Library
2 slots booked.
Meet the Speaker:
Agenda:


San Francisco is ground zero for the AI gold rush — but what’s fueling the next wave of AI innovation?


​Join us for an intimate fireside chat with Mala Ramakrishnan, Founder & Managing Partner at Progressive Ventures, where she breaks down what she’s seeing at the frontlines of the AI startup landscape: the patterns, the pitfalls, and the hard truths founders need to face if they want to build something enduring.


​With over 20 years of experience as a product, growth, and GTM operator — and now as an investor in the next wave of B2B AI companies — Mala brings a rare, dual-lens view of what it takes to succeed in a market moving faster than the hype cycle itself.


​This isn’t about trends. It’s about traction.


​You’ll walk away with sharp, grounded insights on:



  • ​What makes a B2B AI pitch compelling right now

  • ​The blind spots most founders don’t realize they have

  • ​How GTM and product expectations have shifted in the enterprise AI space

  • ​What it actually takes to scale beyond the buzz

​Then, stay for a panel of growth-stage founders who are in it right now — navigating product pivots, fundraising chaos, AI integration, and the everyday realities of building while the market shifts beneath them.





🗓 Agenda


​​6:00 PM – Check-in + Welcome Chai


​​Arrive, settle in, and grab a cup of chai while connecting with others as they arrive.


6:30 PM —  Investor Unplugged


​A candid fireside chat with Mala Ramakrishnan, Founder & Managing Partner at Progressive Ventures, where she shares what VCs are really looking for in AI founders — and what she’s betting on next. Q&A with Mala.


7:15 PMStartup Sparks: Founder Spotlights


​A showcase of bold ideas and live product stories from founders building what’s next in AI. From product demos to early traction — watch innovation unfold in real-time.


​***Will share more details on our Amazing Founders soon.


7:45 PM – Open Networking


​Will have Pizza and Chai. So, stick around, spark conversations, and maybe meet your next collaborator or investor.


​​8:00 PM – Closing & Carry Forward


​​We’ll wrap up officially, but feel free to stick around and continue connecting if the ideas are still flowing.


🧠 Who Should Attend



  • Founders building (or breaking into) the enterprise AI space

  • Product & growth leaders exploring where AI meets adoption

  • Investors looking for early signals beyond the noise

  • Operators curious about what traction looks like in 2025

  • ​Anyone building in B2B AI who’s ready for real talk, not just hot takes

​✨ This is the kind of room where momentum builds — and clarity cuts through.


​Spots are limited. RSVP to join us.


Hosted by: Khyati Brahmbhatt | Powered by: eChai Ventures


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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
"We found eChai to be a force multiplier throughout our startup journey. Through it, we connected with folks from DevX, Allevents, Plutomen, and more - many of whom became friends of IndiaBizForSale.com and even part of our clientele."
Bhavin S Bhagat - Co-founder of Indiabizforsale and IBGrid, TiE Ahmedabad President
Bhavin S Bhagat
Co-founder of Indiabizforsale and IBGrid, TiE Ahmedabad President
"eChai has been a game changer in my journey. It connected me with real people, real support and real opportunities. From building HMMBiz to launching Mindalcove, eChai has played a key role at every step. Grateful to be part of a community that truly believes in growing together."
Hardik Manwani - CTO, Mind Alcove
Hardik Manwani
CTO, Mind Alcove

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