That’s a wrap on the D2C Mixer!

What an incredible evening of insights, connections, and real conversations with Akshay Gulati (Slikk), Srinivas Sarkar (Coupl® (YC S22)), and Nischal Sharma (Minicult.in)! A big thank you to our speakers for their candid sharing.

Thank you eChai Ventures and Jatin Chaudhary for co-hosting the mixer.

Key takeaways from our power-packed evening:
🔸 You can’t hire rockstars every day, but you can build processes that help average people create extraordinary results
🔸 Build what customers want, not what you think they want
🔸 Master one niche before expanding to others
🔸 Don’t raise capital just because you can - look for strategic value
🔸 Own customer relationships, even on marketplaces
🔸 Partner strategically - understand both user and buyer
🔸 Women drive shared purchase decisions for Coupl - crucial for D2C targeting
🔸 Focus on processes that make success repeatable
🔸 Create frameworks where anyone can deliver quality

Thank you Vishnu Chowdhary 🔥 (D2C Simplified) for being a part of this and keeping it super engaging!

Special shoutout to our community partners: Razorpay Rize, Recur Club, Entrepreneur's Cafe, The Ecosystem Community

Stay tuned for more such events!




The eChai Effect - In Their Words

“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
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
Koumal Kalantry
Founder, Bignano Ventures
"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

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