šÆ 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 isnāt just about launching ventures; itās about discovering the hero within, pushing your limits, and thriving in the face of challenges. šŖ
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! š
Iām beyond grateful to have been part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience, alongside 110 heroes from 37 countries. Draper University isnāt about being spoon-fed; itās 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 ofĀ #SanMateo or sleeping under the stars in Northern California Wilderness pushed me beyond my comfort zone in the best possible way. š
Leaving loved ones for 40 days wasnāt 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 ā you guys are rockstars & a special thanks to my stellar team back home ā Mansi Baheti, Tanya Mary, Deepika Palreddy and Vignesh S ā for keeping things running smoothly at Draper Startup House India while I was away. š
To all the friends Iāve made from around the world, I canāt wait to reconnect with you in the years to come. š
One key takeaway for me: *Amor fati* ā 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, hereās my advice: *Just say YES.* Trust me, you wonāt regret it.
When I first signed up for the Hero's Program, I thought it was all about startups. Boy, was I wrong. This experience isnāt just about launching ventures; itās about discovering the hero within, pushing your limits, and thriving in the face of challenges. šŖ
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! š
Iām beyond grateful to have been part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience, alongside 110 heroes from 37 countries. Draper University isnāt about being spoon-fed; itās 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 ofĀ #SanMateo or sleeping under the stars in Northern California Wilderness pushed me beyond my comfort zone in the best possible way. š
Leaving loved ones for 40 days wasnāt 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 ā you guys are rockstars & a special thanks to my stellar team back home ā Mansi Baheti, Tanya Mary, Deepika Palreddy and Vignesh S ā for keeping things running smoothly at Draper Startup House India while I was away. š
To all the friends Iāve made from around the world, I canāt wait to reconnect with you in the years to come. š
One key takeaway for me: *Amor fati* ā 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, hereās my advice: *Just say YES.* Trust me, you wonāt regret it.
Alberto AƱaƱos Ph.D Davit Zargaryan Tamu Petra Browne (DBA-Technology Entrepreneurship) Charles Fu Ray Kuo Jovy Yu Mostafa Masry FRANCISCO RAMIREZ Maxwell O. Chibuogwu, Ph.D Pavel Vinitsky, PhD Yazeed Alsulayhim Thamer Al-Gahtani and many more.
The eChai Effect - In Their Words
āeChai has been that turning point in my journey. It gave me a platform when I wasnāt looking for visibility but needed direction. Over the years, it became more than just a network. It became my tribe; a place where conversations sparked collaborations, and strangers became trusted sounding boards. What I value most is how effortlessly eChai brings people together - no airs, no filters, just genuine people with shared dreams. I owe a lot to this community and to Jatin, whose consistency and belief in people have shaped journeys like mine. Forever grateful to be part of something so real.ā
Rushabh Shah
Managing Partner - STIR Advisors
"If thereās one phrase that sums up my journey, itās truly āThe eChai Effect.ā 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 startedāand keeps evolvingābecause of eChai. Redicine Medsolās story is integrally linked to this community. Iāve 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
āI have no hesitation in saying that my association with eChai has been a gateway into the startup ecosystem. Through this platform, Iāve had the opportunity to connect with many young and dynamic entrepreneurs. These interactions have been immensely enriching - Iāve learned a great deal and have always tried to offer guidance whenever approached. Itās a truly symbiotic relationship that I deeply value, and it wouldnāt have been possible without eChai.ā
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.
