The thing that gives me a high is dealing with setbacks.
Setbacks across closing deals, building a team, raising capital or trying different experiments.
Entrepreneurship is one of the few professions where setbacks are often because market is a great equaliser. It doesn't care what you have accomplished previously. It only looks for how will you help it today move forward, faster.
Setbacks also help me learn a little more about myself and how I am as a person under pressure. Every setback reveals a little more about myself to me.
On the flip side, when you succeed, the joy is that much more as well.
For me, entrepreneurship is a journey of successes and set backs. The idea is to survive till the point where ultimately, your successes are a little more than set backs.
There are no endings, no credit roll, no happily ever after - just riding a wave - sometimes with it and other times against it. And that gives me a high.
Setbacks across closing deals, building a team, raising capital or trying different experiments.
Entrepreneurship is one of the few professions where setbacks are often because market is a great equaliser. It doesn't care what you have accomplished previously. It only looks for how will you help it today move forward, faster.
Setbacks also help me learn a little more about myself and how I am as a person under pressure. Every setback reveals a little more about myself to me.
On the flip side, when you succeed, the joy is that much more as well.
For me, entrepreneurship is a journey of successes and set backs. The idea is to survive till the point where ultimately, your successes are a little more than set backs.
There are no endings, no credit roll, no happily ever after - just riding a wave - sometimes with it and other times against it. And that gives me a high.
The eChai Effect - In Their Words
"eChai has played a truly pivotal role in HummingBird’s journey — even before Day Zero. From ideation to establishment and into growth, it’s been a constant source of support. It connected me with incredible people who’ve become more than just friends. One of the biggest reasons I chose to stay in Ahmedabad is because of the eChai community. It has shaped my growth — both personally and professionally — in ways that are hard to articulate. Honestly, words fall short when I try to express what eChai means to me. I’m deeply thankful and forever grateful to eChai for being such an integral part of my journey."
Harsha Bhurani
Founder, HummingBird Consulting Group
“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
"eChai isn’t just a startup community … it’s a mindset . eChai has been one of the most impactful communities in my entrepreneurial journey. It’s been a turning point . In a world where building something can often feel isolating, eChai gave me a sense of belonging. I’ve found mentors, collaborators, and friends here — people who genuinely want to see you succeed. It’s 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. I’ll always be grateful for the way eChai creates spaces where founders don’t just grow businesses — they grow together."
Koumal Kalantry
Founder, Bignano Ventures
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.
