Yesterday, I attended eChai Ventures startup demo day at IIMA Ventures and was truly impressed. π From innovative student ideas to seasoned founders' implementations and exits, there was much to learn. π The host, Yash Shah, was fantastic, keeping the session engaging and highlighting crucial factors from his journey. π
A key takeaway was identifying the target audience. π― Whether in product or service, not everyone can be your audience. π― Specificity is crucial in selecting your market. π―
Starting with identifying urgent problems is essential, as is the focus on saving time and money while generating revenue. β³π°
The startup ecosystem revolves around the team, founder, product, sales, and funding. π Encouraging the team leads to better performance, which drives sales and attracts funding, further fueling business growth. πΌπ‘
Interns play a vital role, bringing enthusiasm and quick learning to the team. π Their presence enhances teaching and training skills, contributing to overall team development. π©βπΌπ¨βπΌ
Importantly, while a good product is necessary, it's not sufficient for success. π Much more goes into building a thriving startup. π±
Last but not the least, pitches from various startups were indeed engaging the audience. Personally, I liked the product presentations from Heatmaphero about giving website page insights and informative dashboard and SarvDhan about identifying customer centric rural finance needs and bridging the gap between unorganised sector and #Banks π¦/ #nbfcsπͺ.
I'm grateful to eChai Ventures, Yash Shah (Host) and Jatin Chaudhary for conducting such a wonderful event and providing an interactive platform for learning and networking. π
A key takeaway was identifying the target audience. π― Whether in product or service, not everyone can be your audience. π― Specificity is crucial in selecting your market. π―
Starting with identifying urgent problems is essential, as is the focus on saving time and money while generating revenue. β³π°
The startup ecosystem revolves around the team, founder, product, sales, and funding. π Encouraging the team leads to better performance, which drives sales and attracts funding, further fueling business growth. πΌπ‘
Interns play a vital role, bringing enthusiasm and quick learning to the team. π Their presence enhances teaching and training skills, contributing to overall team development. π©βπΌπ¨βπΌ
Importantly, while a good product is necessary, it's not sufficient for success. π Much more goes into building a thriving startup. π±
Last but not the least, pitches from various startups were indeed engaging the audience. Personally, I liked the product presentations from Heatmaphero about giving website page insights and informative dashboard and SarvDhan about identifying customer centric rural finance needs and bridging the gap between unorganised sector and #Banks π¦/ #nbfcsπͺ.
I'm grateful to eChai Ventures, Yash Shah (Host) and Jatin Chaudhary for conducting such a wonderful event and providing an interactive platform for learning and networking. π
The eChai Effect - In Their Words
"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.Β As a traditional business owner entering the new-age D2C space, eChai supported me in every direction.Β Over the years, it became my window to the startup world β and also gave me lifelong friends who continue to show up, for business and beyond."
Pankaj Bhimani
Founder, 58miles
"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
"From late-night brainstorming over chai to early morning founder calls, eChai has been more than just a network for me; itβs 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. Iβve had the privilege of seeing startups find product-market fit, marketers (like me) find unexpected collaborations, and most importantly, people finding their tribe. ΰ€Έΰ€ΰ€ΰ€ΰ₯ΰ€ΰ€§ΰ₯ΰ€΅ΰ€ ΰ€Έΰ€ΰ€΅ΰ€¦ΰ€§ΰ₯ΰ€΅ΰ€ β Let us move together, speak together. Itβs not just a verse from the Rigveda β itβs how Jatin and the entire eChai community truly operate. We donβt just network, we grow together. Forever grateful to be a part of the eChai Effect.
Jaydip Parikh
Chief Everything Officer at Tej SolPro
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.
