I take this opportunity to pay my heartfelt tributes to Alji Bhai Marediya, the esteemed owner of Hotel Aaram in Paldi. Had it not been for him, Hearty Mart wouldn’t have existed.

In my business, there isn’t any co-founder, but Alji Bhai can be considered as one, for he was instrumental in convincing the initial partners of our Juhapura store. It was because of him that we were able to create our first store. From the store infrastructure creation to its launch, he played an active part, as I was still working with an advertising agency and couldn’t devote much time initially.

Alji Bhai had always been an entrepreneur, starting from a diamond cleaning outfit to running a hotel in Ahmedabad. His business insights and acumen during the initial stages of my entrepreneurial journey were a great help.

I knew Alji Bhai since my early teens and often visited his hotel in Paldi, which was in my neighborhood. We developed a bond and mutual respect, and that is how we came together.

Today, though he is no longer with us, we remember him for his unmatched contribution to my venture. His legacy lives on in the success of Hearty Mart, and his memory continues to inspire us everyday.

The eChai Effect - In Their Words

"eChai has been a game changer in my journey. It connected me with real people, real support and real opportunities. From building HMMBiz to launching Mindalcove, eChai has played a key role at every step. Grateful to be part of a community that truly believes in growing together."
Hardik Manwani - CTO, Mind Alcove
Hardik Manwani
CTO, Mind Alcove
"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
Shalin (Shawn) Parikh
Founder, MyCPE One
“I have no hesitation in saying that my association with eChai has been a gateway into the startup ecosystem. Through this platform, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with many young and dynamic entrepreneurs. These interactions have been immensely enriching - I’ve learned a great deal and have always tried to offer guidance whenever approached. It’s a truly symbiotic relationship that I deeply value, and it wouldn’t have been possible without eChai.”
Syed Nadeem Jafri - Founder, Hearty Mart
Syed Nadeem Jafri
Founder, Hearty Mart

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.