More about Shivani Sonawane
I am an Entrepreneur, Architect, Event Planner and Experience Designer by profession. I spent most of my childhood and teenage years in Mumbai, after which I moved to Pune in 2013 to pursue Architecture.
I co-founded an experiential property called The Aryavart Escape in 2016 when I was only 21. I have always been keen on curating conscious Experiences, which led me to formally study about Event Management on 2019. I use a combination of my Architecture and Event Management Skills at The aryavart Escape
As an Architect, I co-founded a firm called Studio Akara in 2020 to design projects under the hospitality industry. We are a bunch of young Architects who’re working towards creating an awareness on using natural materials, working with the locals and using primitive methods of construction.
Today, there’s this outburst of energy to do everything that’s on my mind, to run from one property to the other and host these beautiful people, to design spaces I have always imagined, to curate experiences that I’d always wanted to be a part and so much more.
I co-founded an experiential property called The Aryavart Escape in 2016 when I was only 21. I have always been keen on curating conscious Experiences, which led me to formally study about Event Management on 2019. I use a combination of my Architecture and Event Management Skills at The aryavart Escape
As an Architect, I co-founded a firm called Studio Akara in 2020 to design projects under the hospitality industry. We are a bunch of young Architects who’re working towards creating an awareness on using natural materials, working with the locals and using primitive methods of construction.
Today, there’s this outburst of energy to do everything that’s on my mind, to run from one property to the other and host these beautiful people, to design spaces I have always imagined, to curate experiences that I’d always wanted to be a part and so much more.
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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
"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
“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
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