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
“You don’t plan to build a company via eChai. You just keep showing up … and one day, you realize you did.” I’ve 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, we’ve 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 — our venture builder — eChai continues to fuel our mission: co-creating a shared future. eChai isn’t just a startup network. It’s a trust network. And for business builders like me, that makes all the difference."
Utpal Vaishnav
Founder @ Upsquare & House of Starts • Angel Investor + LP
“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
"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
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.
