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
from Tridhya Tech and
Yash Shah
from Clientjoy, skillfully moderated by
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!
Gaurav Barot
Yash Shah
Jatin Chaudhary
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
"The eChai platform has been super valuable for me - it has helped me gain a deeper understanding of domains in the startup and tech ecosystem. What stands out most is the celebration of knowledge, professional growth, and entrepreneurship - it’s one of the best for the Indian ecosystem. Along the way, I’ve also been fortunate to make some great friendships and connections too."
Shalin (Shawn) Parikh
Founder, MyCPE One
“eChai has been that turning point in my journey. It gave me a platform when I wasn’t looking for visibility but needed direction. Over the years, it became more than just a network. It became my tribe; a place where conversations sparked collaborations, and strangers became trusted sounding boards. What I value most is how effortlessly eChai brings people together - no airs, no filters, just genuine people with shared dreams. I owe a lot to this community and to Jatin, whose consistency and belief in people have shaped journeys like mine. Forever grateful to be part of something so real.”
Rushabh Shah
Managing Partner - STIR Advisors
"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
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.
