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

“When we launched LegalWiz.in back in 2016, concept of procuring legal and compliance services through a digital commerce platform wasn't as prominent in India. eChai played a significant role in providing the early adopters, and building significant positioning in the startup fraternity. Overtime, eChai grew to be a massive network of like-minded entrepreneurs and extended that benefit to all the members in a true "co-rise" spirit. I personally love to attend eChai events, learn from subject matter experts who share relatable and actionable insights and experiences. For startup journeys, it is so important to be surrounded by people who can add relevance, perspective, and push you to do better. Most importantly a group of people where you aren't being judged about things going right or wrong, but be a motivational force that keeps you going, yet keeping you in check. eChai is that place for me!”
Shrijay Sheth - Founder at LegalWiz.in and Hire4Higher Consulting
Shrijay Sheth
Founder at LegalWiz.in and Hire4Higher Consulting
"After moving back from the USA, eChai became my go-to space to learn how the Indian startup ecosystem works. It offered direct exposure to startup thinking and a community that openly shares business insights. What stood out was how easy it was to connect, learn, and grow through real conversations. As we built our IT hardware rentals business, eChai helped us find our niche and refine our path. Proud and grateful to be part of this amazing community."
Heet Sheth - Growth and Tech, Sheth Info
Heet Sheth
Growth and Tech, Sheth Info
"For me, eChai is a second home. I've been associated with it since the early days, when it was already setting a different tone for how startup communities could work. As a traditional business owner entering the new-age D2C space, eChai supported me in every direction. Over the years, it became my window to the startup world — and also gave me lifelong friends who continue to show up, for business and beyond."
Pankaj Bhimani - Founder, 58miles
Pankaj Bhimani
Founder, 58miles

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