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

"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
“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
Syed Nadeem Jafri
Founder, Hearty Mart
"We found eChai to be a force multiplier throughout our startup journey. Through it, we connected with folks from DevX, Allevents, Plutomen, and more - many of whom became friends of IndiaBizForSale.com and even part of our clientele."
Bhavin S Bhagat - Co-founder of Indiabizforsale and IBGrid, TiE Ahmedabad President
Bhavin S Bhagat
Co-founder of Indiabizforsale and IBGrid, TiE Ahmedabad President

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.

FoodTech
MealPe

Online Food Ordering Product Suite for Native Audiences

D2C Brands
Perrian

Affordable gold and diamond jewelry with over 1600 designs.

Customer Engagement Platform
Interakt

Transform your business with Whatsapp Business API.

Creative and Marketing Agencies
Tej SolPro

Result-Driven B2B digital marketing agency.

ERP
Biziverse

Powerful ERP and CRM software.

Academia
Narayana Business School

Narayana Business School is recognized as the preferred destination for top companies seeking exceptional talent and future leaders.