Going forward apna will be the official partner of AICTE to help all Engineering and Management graduates find a job and help them in career discovery. Honoured to exchange an MoU with AICTE, led by esteemed Prof. Sitharam T.G, Chairman of AICTE.

“There is no dearth of jobs, we just need to connect students with opportunities. We are thrilled to announce that Apna and AICTE will make this happen for all India’s Engineering and Management College students.”

The ceremony was graced by the august presence of Union Minister of Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan-ji, Secretary Higher Education Shri K Sanjay Murthy, UGC Chairperson MAMIDALA JAGADESH KUMAR, NCVET Chairperson Dr. Nirmaljeet Singh Kalsi IAS (retd), and other dignitaries whose guidance and blessings make this journey even more meaningful.

Inspired by Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi-ji's words, “The energy of the youth and their passion for development are what drive a nation forward.” It is a privilege to work alongside such visionary leaders and dedicated institutions in our shared mission to nurture and equip India's youth for the opportunities of tomorrow.

The collaboration envisions to unlock job and career discovery, provide AI-powered support for building resumes & interview preparation and set up a community platform for all-round professional development of students, ensuring they step into the professional world with confidence and the right opportunities at their doorstep. All Engineering and Management students graduating from AICTE-affiliated colleges will be benefitted by this initiative.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in making this a reality. Karna Chokshi Shuvajyoti Ghosh Kathak Mehta, PhD and the entire team at apna, and Hiranmay Mahanta. 
Together, we will be nurturing a skilled, competent and confident generation ready to lead India's growth.

Photo courtesy: AICTE

The eChai Effect - In Their Words

"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 - CEO, Hummingbird, An eChai Company
Harsha Bhurani
CEO, Hummingbird, An eChai Company
"eChai isn’t just a startup community … it’s a mindset . eChai has been one of the most impactful communities in my entrepreneurial journey. It’s been a turning point . In a world where building something can often feel isolating, eChai gave me a sense of belonging. I’ve found mentors, collaborators, and friends here — people who genuinely want to see you succeed. It’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. I’ll always be grateful for the way eChai creates spaces where founders don’t just grow businesses — they grow together."
Koumal Kalantry - Founder, Bignano Ventures
Koumal Kalantry
Founder, Bignano Ventures
“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 @ Polynxt (EightQor Capital, Upsquare, House of Starts) • Architect & Capital Allocator
Utpal Vaishnav
Founder @ Polynxt (EightQor Capital, Upsquare, House of Starts) • Architect & Capital Allocator

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.