#Throwback

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ #Bangalore: Would you attend a startup demo day on a Saturday evening?

4 years since I last saw Jatin at DSH Singapore for eChai Ventures, we finally caught up IRL โ€“ this time co-hosting an eChai #startup pitch event and #investor panel discussion at DSH Bangalore. Our roof was filled with 130+ #entrepreneurs and investors.

Here are some learnings:

โณ45 DAYS to 6 MONTHS

Is the duration for which due diligence, getting a term sheet, to receiving money in the bank can take up to in the process of startups #fundraising (as a gauge) ๐Ÿช™

๐Ÿ“š RESOURCES

โ€“ Venture Deals by Brad Feld is a great read to prepare founders who are #raisingcapital

โ€“ indianvcs.com is a pooled resource built by some VC folks, for entrepreneurs to have access to investor contacts (built with Notion ๐Ÿ”ฅ)

๐Ÿค๐Ÿผ KEEP IT PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL

โ€“ Before reaching out to an investor, research on the fund and what they invest in.

โ€“ Be genuine and authentic. Dishonesty is a red flag; The industry is interconnected, and will soon find out ๐Ÿšฉ

โ€“

Seeing is believing. I wouldn't have imagined a pitch night on a weekend evening being full house, and the energy is uplifting.

Thanks a ton to the investors for their valuable insights (Vijetha, Himansu, Bikramjeet, Mohammed Amaan Memon) and all the entrepreneurs who came to share their vision and business ideas with us ๐Ÿš€ ... Not forgetting one of the best hyper-connectors and startup enablers around: Jatin ๐Ÿ’ฏ


WHO SHOULD I MEET NEXT? ๐Ÿ˜
I've been here for two weeks already, but will be based out of Draper Startup House #India for the next couple more โ€“ I'm happy to connect with #founders, #startups, #investors, ecosystem partners and would love to meet others who are also enabling the startup community! Thanks for the recs ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿผ


Loving this journey so far!
Stay tuned for updates from BLR ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ

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.ย As a traditional business owner entering the new-age D2C space, eChai supported me in every direction.ย Over the years, it became my window to the startup world โ€” and also gave me lifelong friends who continue to show up, for business and beyond."
Pankaj Bhimani - Founder, 58miles
Pankaj Bhimani
Founder, 58miles
"eChai isnโ€™t just a startup community โ€ฆ itโ€™s a mindset .ย eChai has been one of the most impactful communities in my entrepreneurial journey. Itโ€™s been a turning point . In a world where building something can often feel isolating, eChai gave me a sense of belonging. Iโ€™ve found mentors, collaborators, and friends here โ€” people who genuinely want to see you succeed.ย Itโ€™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. Iโ€™ll always be grateful for the way eChai creates spaces where founders donโ€™t just grow businesses โ€” they grow together."
Koumal Kalantry - Founder, Bignano Ventures
Koumal Kalantry
Founder, Bignano Ventures
"At DevX.Work, weโ€™ve greatly benefited from our association with eChai. Their events and networking forums have connected us with high-potential startups, ecosystem leaders, and innovation-driven professionals โ€” many of whom have become valuable partners, collaborators, and even clients.ย What stands out most is the openness and accessibility of the community โ€” whether you're an early-stage founder or an experienced entrepreneur, eChai provides a welcoming space to learn, collaborate, and grow.ย It's more than just a network โ€” it's a catalyst for real, collaborative growth. Weโ€™re proud to be part of the eChai community. Highly recommended for any organization aiming to grow within the startup space."
Umesh Uttamchandani - Co-Founder, DevX
Umesh Uttamchandani
Co-Founder, DevX

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.