How To Stand Out at Conferences ft.

At a crowded conference, most people play it safe. Navy suits, black blazers, muted tones—they blend in because blending in feels comfortable. It’s predictable. But predictable doesn’t get remembered.

Then there’s
Umesh Uttamchandani Umesh Uttamchandani
, Founder of DevX, at the India Global Forum in Dubai. He walks in wearing a pink blazer. Not because he has to. Not because it’s expected. He does it because it’s a signal. It says, “I’m here. I’m confident. I’m worth noticing.” And people notice. They always do. Someone compliments the blazer. Someone else starts a conversation. The door opens, and suddenly, the pink blazer isn’t just fabric—it’s the beginning of something.

And then there’s
Koumal Kalantry Koumal Kalantry
, Founder of BigNano Ventures, at the eChai Startup Conference in Bangalore. She’s on stage, wearing a red blazer—bold, unmissable, deliberate. In a room where most people fade into the background, Koumal owns the spotlight. Her choice of red isn’t an accident. It’s strategy. Eyes turn. Attention follows. And before a single word is spoken, she’s already set the tone.

Here’s the thing: Umesh and Koumal didn’t just choose colors. They chose to stand out. They chose to be memorable. Because at a conference, being invisible is easy. It’s what most people do. But the ones who make an impact? They don’t wait to be noticed—they demand it.

Your wardrobe isn’t just clothing. It’s a story. A statement. A signal. When you dress with intention, you’re not just wearing a blazer. You’re giving people a reason to stop, look, and listen. And that’s how you turn a moment into a connection.

The eChai Effect - In Their Words

“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
Utpal Vaishnav
Founder @ Upsquare & House of Starts • Angel Investor + LP
"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
“eChai has been that turning point in my journey. It gave me a platform when I wasn’t looking for visibility but needed direction. Over the years, it became more than just a network. It became my tribe; a place where conversations sparked collaborations, and strangers became trusted sounding boards. What I value most is how effortlessly eChai brings people together - no airs, no filters, just genuine people with shared dreams. I owe a lot to this community and to Jatin, whose consistency and belief in people have shaped journeys like mine. Forever grateful to be part of something so real.”
Rushabh Shah - Managing Partner - STIR Advisors
Rushabh Shah
Managing Partner - STIR Advisors

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