🎯 The Hero's Program at Draper University

When I first signed up for the Hero's Program, I thought it was all about startups. Boy, was I wrong. This experience isn’t just about launching ventures; it’s about discovering the hero within, pushing your limits, and thriving in the face of challenges. 💪

Picture this: 130 kilometers of walking and hiking in just four days, mixed with swimming, rowing, and running. Survival week, curated by US Navy SEALs, was a true test of grit, blood, sweat, and yes, tears. This journey was designed to build not just physical endurance, but the mental toughness to tackle any challenge with enthusiasm, energy, and a healthy dose of fun! 🎉

I’m beyond grateful to have been part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience, alongside 110 heroes from 37 countries. Draper University isn’t about being spoon-fed; it’s about being thrown into the deep end (sometimes literally, like treasure-hunting in San Mateo at 4 AM and jumping into a freezing pool in the early morning!) and getting the job done. The spontaneity of pitching to Tim Draper while strolling through the streets of #SanMateo or sleeping under the stars in Northern California Wilderness pushed me beyond my comfort zone in the best possible way. 🌟

Leaving loved ones for 40 days wasn’t easy, but it was worth every second. Huge shoutout to Karan Bahadur, Vikram Bharati, Asra N. for this great opportunity and the amazing Draper University team Waleed Arshad Mohammad Mustafa Hassan Suffiyan Malik Subah Zaeem Arisa Chelsea Ueno Umar Akram – you guys are rockstars & a special thanks to my stellar team back home – Mansi Baheti, Tanya Mary, Deepika Palreddy and Vignesh S – for keeping things running smoothly at Draper Startup House India while I was away. 🙌

To all the friends I’ve made from around the world, I can’t wait to reconnect with you in the years to come. 🌍

One key takeaway for me: *Amor fati* – love of fate. Look it up, and a big thanks to Roc Ryder for introducing me to this profound concept.

No more spoilers, but if you ever get the chance to join this program, here’s my advice: *Just say YES.* Trust me, you won’t regret it.

The eChai Effect - In Their Words

"eChai has been a game-changer for Hungrito, providing us with invaluable connections, insights, and opportunities that have significantly fueled our growth. eChai has introduced us to a global network of entrepreneurs and experts, fueling our growth and opening doors to new opportunities from Ahmedabad to Dubai. The community has become like a second family to us, providing support, guidance, and valuable insights as startup entrepreneurs."
Sahil Shah - Founder- Hungrito & Netsavvies. Digital Marketing Evangelist
Sahil Shah
Founder- Hungrito & Netsavvies. Digital Marketing Evangelist
"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
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Bhavin S Bhagat - Co-founder of Indiabizforsale and IBGrid, TiE Ahmedabad President
Bhavin S Bhagat
Co-founder of Indiabizforsale and IBGrid, TiE Ahmedabad President

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