Yesterday, I had the privilege of participating in an insightful meetup organized by eChai and Venture Studio at Ahmedabad University, focused on Startup exits and M&A. The panel featured
Gaurav Barot - CEO, Tridhya Tech Gaurav Barot
  from Tridhya Tech and
Yash Shah - Co-Founder, Clientjoy Yash Shah
  from Clientjoy, skillfully moderated by
Jatin Chaudhary - Co-Founder, eChai Ventures Jatin Chaudhary
from eChai and myself as a representative from IndiaBizForSale.

The audience comprised a diverse mix of management students, early-stage startup founders, professionals, and seasoned business owners. We delved into valuable discussions on the nuances of M&A experiences, sharing insights from various perspectives.

Clientjoy's recent acquisition by a strategic player and Tridhya Group's strategic acquisitions of nine companies provided rich learning opportunities. As a representative of Indiabizforsale, I had the chance to contribute our experiences, shedding light on exit plans, the pivotal role of investment bankers and outside counsels, dynamics of deal progress, and the strategic timing of exits.

Discussions also touched upon when not to consider an exit, the standard fee structure associated with such activities by investment bankers, and more.

Takeaways from the evening:

1. Team: If you lack previous M&A experience, seek outside counsel to avoid costly mistakes and stay on course during this potential roller coaster event.

2. Unlocking Value: M&A brings definite value unlocking for entrepreneurs, providing a sense of relief as they embark on new beginnings.

3. Role of Clean Bookkeeping and Clear Communication:Transparent communication is vital for sell-sides. Share an accurate company picture to preemptively address any discrepancies that may arise.

4. Reputation Risk: Acquirers, building a fair and forward-looking reputation, attract better deal flow. Unethical tactics may yield short-term wins but jeopardize future opportunities.

5. Due Diligence: The multifaceted Due Diligence (DD) process covers business, HR, financial, legal, tech, IP diligence, and industry-specific areas.

It was truly gratifying to engage with a diverse audience in the thriving Ahmedabad ecosystem, and I'm delighted to be part of the eChai Ventures community. Looking forward to more enriching interactions!

The eChai Effect - In Their Words

"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
"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
"I have evolved from role of Community Builder to Startup Consultant to Startup Ecosystem Enabler to Angel Investor and now launching a Venture Studio and eChai has been a catalyst in my overall journey as Startup Evangelist since 13 years."
Mehul Shah - Co-Founder at Counselvise & Ivy Growth
Mehul Shah
Co-Founder at Counselvise & Ivy Growth

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.

Investment Banking
IBGrid

All-in-one investment banking solution.

FinTech and Financial Services
MYCPE ONE

Comprehensive suite of services for CPA & Accounting firms.

Healthcare
Redicine Medsol

Medical Device for enhancing patient medication adherence.

FMCG Food and Retail
Hungrito

Building experiences through food fests.

IT Hardware
Sheth Info

Your go-to destination for branded and refurbished IT hardware

D2C Brands
58Miles

Exciting and functional camera bags.