The Impactful Teammate at IBGRiD
Mayank Patel first met us at our booth during EDI's annual fest when IndiaBizForSale.com was still just a discovery platform.
What stood out about him was his deep understanding of our vision. He appreciated the economic value we were trying to preserve by connecting buyers and sellers of businesses—helping businesses continue their legacy rather than shutting down.
At the time, Mayank was a professor of corporate finance, and he generously offered his support in any way we might need.
A Defining Moment
Initially, we avoided providing business valuation reports as a service, fearing that we couldn't maintain the quality we aimed for.
When Mayank offered to help, we decided to test his expertise on valuing our own family business. The result was incredible—not only was the valuation spot on, but it also helped us successfully sell the business at that price. Inspired by this success, we gradually started offering business valuation reports to our audience, led by Mayank.
Over time, this service became a game-changer. It significantly reduced deal failures caused by unrealistic asking prices, generated substantial revenue, and laid the foundation for our investment banking division, IBGRID.
Advice for Fellow Founders
Say "yes" to opportunities and be open to external support. Often, the right person may come with fresh ideas that challenge your initial assumptions.
Look for individuals who align with your mission and are willing to contribute beyond their immediate role. Empower them by creating an environment where they can innovate and grow.
For us, Mayank’s support not only launched a new service but also set a benchmark for quality. Today, we're fortunate to have him as part of our management team, where he leads IBGRID with the same passion that first drew us to him.
The eChai Effect - In Their Words
"eChai has been a game-changer for Hungrito, providing us with invaluable connections, insights, and opportunities that have significantly fueled our growth. eChai has introduced us to a global network of entrepreneurs and experts, fueling our growth and opening doors to new opportunities from Ahmedabad to Dubai. The community has become like a second family to us, providing support, guidance, and valuable insights as startup entrepreneurs."
Sahil Shah
Founder- Hungrito & Netsavvies. Digital Marketing Evangelist
"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
"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
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.
