Top 11 resources we used & would recommend to every early stage startups.

1) How to get your first 1,000 users (for consumer startups) - http://surl.li/ltcnrw

2) How to get started with a consumer startup - http://surl.li/yifihg

3) How startups die from their addiction to paid marketing by Andrew Chen- http://surl.li/wrbiis

4) Must-have document templates for every startup: pitch deck, financial model, one-pager, and advisor agreement - http://surl.li/tgjdmv

5) 95 Ways to find your first customers for customer development or your first sale - http://surl.li/bvxpxz

6) Discounts and credits for startups - https://www.f6s.com/deals

7) Find your co-founder- https://lnkd.in/d8SRPSgn or https://www.antler.co/ or attend eChai Ventures meetups

8) How Superhuman engineered product-market fit - http://surl.li/jdqckj

9)Wharton's Entrepreneurship Specialization on Coursera - http://surl.li/lgfqvi

10) Y Combinator Startup School - http://surl.li/rghpgi

11) Check balance sheet, revenues & expenses of your competitors for free - https://lnkd.in/dxMgm_ad

12) Bonus - if you wish to hire pre-vetted interns or freshers for your early team, use Beep - https://lnkd.in/de7NKVRx
Considering every startup confronts this question at some point, I was surprised by how little has been written about it. Particularly anything actionable. So I decided to do my own digging. I spent the past month personally reaching out to founders, scouring interviews, and tapping the Twitterverse. Below, you’ll find first-hand accounts of how essentially every major consumer app acquired their earliest users, including Tinder, Uber, Superhuman, TikTok, Product Hunt, Yelp, and over a dozen more. Enjoy!

The eChai Effect - In Their Words

"At DevX.Work, we’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 — many of whom have become valuable partners, collaborators, and even clients. What stands out most is the openness and accessibility of the community — whether you're an early-stage founder or an experienced entrepreneur, eChai provides a welcoming space to learn, collaborate, and grow. It's more than just a network — it's a catalyst for real, collaborative growth. We’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
“When we launched LegalWiz.in back in 2016, concept of procuring legal and compliance services through a digital commerce platform wasn't as prominent in India. eChai played a significant role in providing the early adopters, and building significant positioning in the startup fraternity. Overtime, eChai grew to be a massive network of like-minded entrepreneurs and extended that benefit to all the members in a true "co-rise" spirit. I personally love to attend eChai events, learn from subject matter experts who share relatable and actionable insights and experiences. For startup journeys, it is so important to be surrounded by people who can add relevance, perspective, and push you to do better. Most importantly a group of people where you aren't being judged about things going right or wrong, but be a motivational force that keeps you going, yet keeping you in check. eChai is that place for me!”
Shrijay Sheth - Founder at LegalWiz.in and Hire4Higher Consulting
Shrijay Sheth
Founder at LegalWiz.in and Hire4Higher Consulting
"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

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.

Legal
Counselvise

Transforming legal research with cutting-edge AI technology.

FoodTech
MealPe

Online Food Ordering Product Suite for Native Audiences

Gaming
Zatun Games

Zatun is an award-winning, innovative indie game developer since 2007. We develop our IP and do work for hire.

Web and Mobile Development
7Span

Creative digital agency for branding, web, apps, and social media.

Academia
Narayana Business School

Narayana Business School is recognized as the preferred destination for top companies seeking exceptional talent and future leaders.

Cloud Telephony
CallHippo

Virtual phone system enhancing productivity, automating workflows, and reducing costs.