At GDG Ahmedabad 2024, Manoj Adwani (narad.io) Made the Case for Founder-Led Content

At GDG Ahmedabad 2024, Manoj Adwani, founder of narad.io, delivered one of those talks that quietly rewire how you think about growth.

His central idea was simple but powerful:
"People don’t buy the best product. They buy the best-known product."

And in the current landscape, where founders obsess over features, Manoj made a compelling case for why visibility, not just innovation, is what drives traction. Especially for early-stage startups.

Drawing on 17 years in tech and his experience building narad.io, Manoj outlined why video content should be a top priority for founders — not later, but right now.

He shared how startups can punch above their weight by focusing on:

Cost-effective reach:
You don’t need a marketing team. Just a smartphone, a basic mic, and something meaningful to say. Compared to ads or paid campaigns, videos have more longevity and better ROI for early-stage teams.

Building trust at scale:
Seeing the founder speak — whether it’s in a product walkthrough, a behind-the-scenes vlog, or a short insight reel — creates authenticity. It helps users, investors, and potential hires connect with the people behind the product.

Creating long-term assets:
A well-made YouTube video or a LinkedIn post by the founder can keep working for months. Unlike ads, which stop performing once the budget runs out, good content compounds over time.

He also laid out a practical framework for founders:

  • For Customers – Focus on content that solves real problems or shares customer success stories. Educational content works well here.

  • For Investors – Show traction. Talk about your wins. Give context. Your voice matters more than your deck.

  • For Talent – Showcase how your team works. Why you exist. Why someone should choose to work with you. Culture videos matter more than a careers page.

One thing he repeated often: the founder has to lead this.

It doesn’t have to be perfect. In fact, the more real it feels, the better.

He talked about using strategies like the "silence pitch" — where you showcase your product inside a story, without selling it outright.

He emphasized storytelling that makes people feel something — not just think something.

And when it comes to gear? Keep it simple.

Phone. Wired mic. Decent lighting. Budget? Around ₹50,000, if that.

Most importantly, he shared his own journey.

It took him 20 months to reach his first 1,000 Instagram followers. But once he hit that point, consistent content started compounding. It wasn’t about going viral. It was about showing up, over and over again.

He ended with a strong reminder:

“Content will win the game. Just like every business needed a website 20 years ago, and a mobile app 10 years ago — today, you need content. Real content. From the founder. That’s what people connect with.”

If you’re building something and still stuck in stealth mode, this talk is your nudge.

Start small. Start messy. But start.

This is one of those sessions you’ll probably come back to.

More stories on eChai

The eChai Effect - In Their Words

"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
“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
"I have evolved from role of Community Builder to Startup Consultant to Startup Ecosystem Enabler to Angel Investor and now launching a Venture Studio and eChai has been a catalyst in my overall journey as Startup Evangelist since 13 years."
Mehul Shah - Co-Founder at Counselvise & Ivy Growth
Mehul Shah
Co-Founder at Counselvise & Ivy Growth

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.

CoLiving
Draper Startup House

Living and working spaces for startup communities.

Ventrue Studio
Upsquare

Upsquare is a global holding organization and incubator of independent and integrated companies across the globe.

Cloud Telephony
CallHippo

Virtual phone system enhancing productivity, automating workflows, and reducing costs.

Marketing Tools
Creatosaurus

All-in-one creator stack for storytelling.

HR Tech and Agencies
Humming Bird Consulting

One-stop Solution for All HR Needs | Premium Talent Acquisition & Management

D2C Brands
Perrian

Affordable gold and diamond jewelry with over 1600 designs.