Setting Up in the US: What Founders Learn Along the Way

January 24, Saturday, 2026
6:00pm — 08:00pm (GMT+05:30)
DevX Surat, 3rd Floor, Stalwart Insignia, University Airport Road, beside Shantiniketan, Piplod, Surat, Gujarat 395007.
Register for the event
Agenda:
Setting up in the US often sounds like a clear milestone, but for most founders it unfolds gradually, through a series of practical decisions, moments of uncertainty, and quiet learning along the way.

This eChai conversation brings together founders who have already gone through parts of the US setup journey, along with those actively exploring it. We will talk about why founders start looking at the US, how early choices around company structure, compliance, banking, customers, and hiring actually play out in real life, and what tends to remain unclear even after reading all the guides.

The focus is not on frameworks or step-by-step playbooks. Instead, it is about lived experiences. What felt simpler than expected, what took longer to figure out, and which assumptions changed once founders were closer to the ground.

This session is meant for founders building from India with global ambitions, whether you are only beginning to think about the US or already taking your first steps.

As always at eChai, expect an open, candid exchange, thoughtful conversations, and learning that comes from shared journeys rather than fixed outcomes.
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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

"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
"eChai isn’t just a startup community … it’s a mindset . eChai has been one of the most impactful communities in my entrepreneurial journey. It’s been a turning point . In a world where building something can often feel isolating, eChai gave me a sense of belonging. I’ve found mentors, collaborators, and friends here — people who genuinely want to see you succeed. It’s a space where ideas are challenged, actions are celebrated, and founders grow not just in scale, but in clarity and confidence. From late-night ideas to early-morning pitches, this community has quietly but powerfully shaped the way I build, think, and dream. I’ll always be grateful for the way eChai creates spaces where founders don’t just grow businesses — they grow together."
Koumal Kalantry - Founder, Bignano Ventures
Koumal Kalantry
Founder, Bignano Ventures
"From late-night brainstorming over chai to early morning founder calls, eChai has been more than just a network for me; it’s been home base for ideas, impact, and inspiration. What started as a simple meetup years ago turned into a powerful movement, connecting founders, creators, and dreamers. I’ve had the privilege of seeing startups find product-market fit, marketers (like me) find unexpected collaborations, and most importantly, people finding their tribe. संगच्छध्वं संवदध्वं – Let us move together, speak together. It’s not just a verse from the Rigveda — it’s how Jatin and the entire eChai community truly operate. We don’t just network, we grow together. Forever grateful to be a part of the eChai Effect.
Jaydip Parikh - Chief Everything Officer at Tej SolPro
Jaydip Parikh
Chief Everything Officer at Tej SolPro

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