๐ Had a blast at the Startup Social in Bangalore organised by eChai Ventures & moderated by Chaitanya last Saturday, where the conversations were as energetic as a double-shot espresso! During one of the discussions, I casually mentioned "ICP," and someone in the audience asked, "What's that?" ๐ค
Well, ICP could stand for Ice Cream Party" ๐ฆ๐ but thatโs not quite right. ๐
ICP actually stands for ๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐๐๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ณ๐ถ๐น๐ฒโnot as fun as an Ice Cream Party but arguably just as essential. ๐
Let me break it down for you:
(some gyanbaji ) ๐ฌ
Imagine you're in the business of selling custom superhero capes. You could try selling to everyone, but wouldnโt it be better to focus on those die-hard superhero fans who canโt wait to put on a cape and feel invincible? These are your ideal customersโthe ones who not only need your product but are also excited about it, ready to buy, and might even show up to work wearing one!
Your ICP is that dream crew for your product or serviceโthe people who need what you offer, will benefit from it, and will love you for it. When you know who they are, you can focus on speaking directly to them. No more guessing games, no more "shouting into the void."
Why is this crucial for product managers and founders?ย
tโs like having a superheroโs map ๐บ๏ธ that guides you toward the right customers, knowing your ICP helps you avoid the classic startup trap of trying to be everything to everyone. ๐ฏ
Instead, you can zero in on those who truly need what youโre offering. This means better product-market fit, more effective marketing, and ultimately, a happier customer base.
In short: Know your ICP, and youโll spend less time chasing the wrong customersโand more time delivering value to the right ones. ๐ก
P.S. Still craving that Ice Cream Party though... ๐จ
Well, ICP could stand for Ice Cream Party" ๐ฆ๐ but thatโs not quite right. ๐
ICP actually stands for ๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐๐๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ณ๐ถ๐น๐ฒโnot as fun as an Ice Cream Party but arguably just as essential. ๐
Let me break it down for you:
(some gyanbaji ) ๐ฌ
Imagine you're in the business of selling custom superhero capes. You could try selling to everyone, but wouldnโt it be better to focus on those die-hard superhero fans who canโt wait to put on a cape and feel invincible? These are your ideal customersโthe ones who not only need your product but are also excited about it, ready to buy, and might even show up to work wearing one!
Your ICP is that dream crew for your product or serviceโthe people who need what you offer, will benefit from it, and will love you for it. When you know who they are, you can focus on speaking directly to them. No more guessing games, no more "shouting into the void."
Why is this crucial for product managers and founders?ย
tโs like having a superheroโs map ๐บ๏ธ that guides you toward the right customers, knowing your ICP helps you avoid the classic startup trap of trying to be everything to everyone. ๐ฏ
Instead, you can zero in on those who truly need what youโre offering. This means better product-market fit, more effective marketing, and ultimately, a happier customer base.
In short: Know your ICP, and youโll spend less time chasing the wrong customersโand more time delivering value to the right ones. ๐ก
P.S. Still craving that Ice Cream Party though... ๐จ
The eChai Effect - In Their Words
โYou donโt plan to build a company via eChai. You just keep showing up โฆ and one day, you realize you did.โ Iโve known Jatin since 2012, when I was still deciding what kind of second innings I wanted to play as an entrepreneur. Over the years, through events, chai breaks, intros, and seemingly small conversations, eChai helped shape not just Upsquare but also refined the lens through which we see collaboration. At Upsquare, weโve hired talent, met partners, discovered co-investors, and built lifelong friendships. One of our joint ventures exists today only because a casual eChai memory sparked a deeper trust. Now, as we build House of Starts โ our venture builder โ eChai continues to fuel our mission: co-creating a shared future. eChai isnโt just a startup network. Itโs a trust network. And for business builders like me, that makes all the difference."
Utpal Vaishnav
Founder @ Upsquare & House of Starts โข Angel Investor + LP
"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
"eChai has played a truly pivotal role in HummingBirdโs journey โ even before Day Zero. From ideation to establishment and into growth, itโs been a constant source of support.ย It connected me with incredible people whoโve 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 โ both personally and professionally โ in ways that are hard to articulate.ย Honestly, words fall short when I try to express what eChai means to me. Iโm deeply thankful and forever grateful to eChai for being such an integral part of my journey."
Harsha Bhurani
Founder, HummingBird Consulting Group
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.
