I Now Give Up.

I give up on thinking I know everything about marketing.

I give up on believing that sticking to what’s familiar will take me further.

And most importantly, I give up on underestimating the power of new ideas.

Attending this event completely flipped my perspective. Here’s why:

My way of thinking

I always thought marketing was about strategies, numbers, and perfect campaigns.
But this event? It showed me it’s so much more than that.

It’s about people, relationships, and how you evolve your thinking to match the ever-changing world around you.

 The Founder’s Touch is Crucial
 ↳ The team behind simply Salads shared how staying connected with your business as a founder can create trust and authenticity.
 ↳ It’s a reminder that your unique touch is what sets your brand apart in a crowded market.

Lesson? People connect with people, not just products.

 Traditional Marketing Still Has Power
 ↳ Koumal Kalantry taught us that while digital is booming, traditional marketing strategies can still create a lasting impact.
↳ Combining the old with the new can future proof your brand while keeping it relatable.
Takeaway? The medium might change, but the message stays timeless.

 Think Bigger, Dream Bigger
↳ Meeting founders (some who’ve been featured on Shark Tank!) showed me the importance of pushing past limitations and broadening your perspective.
↳ Innovation happens when you challenge yourself to think beyond what’s possible.


If you’re a small founder or business owner, here’s the truth: your success isn’t about doing what’s trendy—it’s about doing what’s authentic to you.

Learn from the past, innovate for the future, and never stop building meaningful connections.

A heartfelt thanks to all the incredible founders I met for broadening my perspective and reminding me why I started this journey

Soham Payal Pathak| Jimish Kapadia|Mitesh Shethwala|Koumal Kalantry

And a special thank you to Jatin Chaudhary and Viraj Rajani for curating such an inspiring event. 🙏

P.S. What’s one lesson that’s helped you grow as a founder? Let’s learn from each other!

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
Harsha Bhurani
Founder, HummingBird Consulting Group
"At DevX.Work, we’ve greatly benefited from our association with eChai. Their events and networking forums have connected us with high-potential startups, ecosystem leaders, and innovation-driven professionals — many of whom have become valuable partners, collaborators, and even clients. What stands out most is the openness and accessibility of the community — whether you're an early-stage founder or an experienced entrepreneur, eChai provides a welcoming space to learn, collaborate, and grow. It's more than just a network — it's a catalyst for real, collaborative growth. We’re proud to be part of the eChai community. Highly recommended for any organization aiming to grow within the startup space."
Umesh Uttamchandani - Co-Founder, DevX
Umesh Uttamchandani
Co-Founder, DevX
"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

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.