At Momentum91, we've been hard at work understanding AI and their use-cases for mid-market and large firms. Late last week, I had the opportunity to share everything we've learnt so far with eChai Ventures at GVFL Limited.
Here are some notes:
๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ง ๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐ข๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ
Other people also have AI. A lot of folks are building on top of AI and so there is increased competition in almost every vertical. Every niche software has like 3 bootstrapped competitors who are going to market via SEO. Also, product differentiators are difficult to communicate in the age of low attention spans. If you are starting distribution today, it needs a thorough re-imagination.
๐ ๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐๐ซ๐ซ๐จ๐ฐ/๐๐๐๐ค ๐๐
Instead of building systems that are kind of smarter at doing a lot of things, you might want to consider building multiple and separate systems that are very smart at doing a few things extremely well. Enterprises/companies will separately pay for solving specific problem areas and addressing their use-cases. The game is depth, not breadth.
๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ฑ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ง๐๐๐ฌ
Companies like ClickUp and Notion have done an amazing job at bringing AI within their products. But they are still not AI native. They were conceptualised when AI was not around. They have fit AI retrospectively. There is a large opportunity for building Native AI experiences. Platforms and products that are conceptualised from ground-up in the age of AI. An example of this is a project management system where I can assign tasks to both humans and agents. It will demand a lot of capital and ingenuity but it can be done. Here's a good question to ask: What other 'systems of records' exist that can be made AI native?
๐ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฏ๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐
AI will solve for analysis, predictions, pattern recognition etc. Most firms do not have accurate data. If you can figure out a way for a business to collect accurate data about their prospects, customers, employees, products, sales, etc - using AI, you can do anything and everything. Figure out a way as to how you will solve for collection, storage and organisation of accurate data.
There were a few other things that we discussed.
๐ Co-pilot and Autopilots
๐ AI wrappers
๐ AI & Funding
๐ Verticalising LLMs
๐ AI Safety
๐ Real-life implementations of AI by companies we have not heard about
This conversation was meant to be a starting point for folks thinking about building in the AI space. It was by no means exhaustive - but sort of a summary of all the research Harsh, Jay, Koushikram and I have been doing for the past few months.
If you want the deck, let me know in the comments and I'll send it over ๐
Thank you Jatin for the opportunity.
Until next time :)
Here are some notes:
๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ง ๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐ข๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ
Other people also have AI. A lot of folks are building on top of AI and so there is increased competition in almost every vertical. Every niche software has like 3 bootstrapped competitors who are going to market via SEO. Also, product differentiators are difficult to communicate in the age of low attention spans. If you are starting distribution today, it needs a thorough re-imagination.
๐ ๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐๐ซ๐ซ๐จ๐ฐ/๐๐๐๐ค ๐๐
Instead of building systems that are kind of smarter at doing a lot of things, you might want to consider building multiple and separate systems that are very smart at doing a few things extremely well. Enterprises/companies will separately pay for solving specific problem areas and addressing their use-cases. The game is depth, not breadth.
๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ฑ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ง๐๐๐ฌ
Companies like ClickUp and Notion have done an amazing job at bringing AI within their products. But they are still not AI native. They were conceptualised when AI was not around. They have fit AI retrospectively. There is a large opportunity for building Native AI experiences. Platforms and products that are conceptualised from ground-up in the age of AI. An example of this is a project management system where I can assign tasks to both humans and agents. It will demand a lot of capital and ingenuity but it can be done. Here's a good question to ask: What other 'systems of records' exist that can be made AI native?
๐ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฏ๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐
AI will solve for analysis, predictions, pattern recognition etc. Most firms do not have accurate data. If you can figure out a way for a business to collect accurate data about their prospects, customers, employees, products, sales, etc - using AI, you can do anything and everything. Figure out a way as to how you will solve for collection, storage and organisation of accurate data.
There were a few other things that we discussed.
๐ Co-pilot and Autopilots
๐ AI wrappers
๐ AI & Funding
๐ Verticalising LLMs
๐ AI Safety
๐ Real-life implementations of AI by companies we have not heard about
This conversation was meant to be a starting point for folks thinking about building in the AI space. It was by no means exhaustive - but sort of a summary of all the research Harsh, Jay, Koushikram and I have been doing for the past few months.
If you want the deck, let me know in the comments and I'll send it over ๐
Thank you Jatin for the opportunity.
Until next time :)
The eChai Effect - In Their Words
"eChai isnโt just a startup community โฆ itโs a mindset .ย eChai has been one of the most impactful communities in my entrepreneurial journey. Itโs been a turning point . In a world where building something can often feel isolating, eChai gave me a sense of belonging. Iโve found mentors, collaborators, and friends here โ people who genuinely want to see you succeed.ย Itโs 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. Iโll always be grateful for the way eChai creates spaces where founders donโt just grow businesses โ they grow together."
Koumal Kalantry
Founder, Bignano Ventures
"If thereโs one phrase that sums up my journey, itโs truly โThe eChai Effect.โ Six years ago, I simply walked into my first eChai event, not knowing what to expect. The honest conversations, energy, and inspiration from founders and entrepreneurs struck a chord within me. That eChai spark became the catalyst for everything to follow. I proudly say: my entrepreneurship journey startedโand keeps evolvingโbecause of eChai. Redicine Medsolโs story is integrally linked to this community. Iโve gained so much, not just as a founder but as a forever volunteer and grateful member of the eChai family. With all my heart, thank you Jatin Bhai and everyone at eChai for shaping, guiding, and supporting my dreams. The eChai Effect will always be a part of my story."
Kush Prajapati
Founder, Redicine Medsol
"eChai is playing biggest role in my personal and professional life together. Its a community where i meet like minded people to share idea and learn from their idea. Even while playing cricket i learn something and i implement something new from that learning. Its my entry point for building network in different countries where my base is not established yet. Personally my only fun activity day in a week is eChai cricket and social."
yash shah
Chairman, ES Group of Companies
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.
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