Blessing in disguise
Books for Entrepreneurs
Documentary
eChai Wall of Love
How I Met My Co-Founder
In Focus Today
Insight Reports
Movies for Entrepreneurs
Notes from Podcasts
Slice of Startup Life
The First Hire
The First Welcome in Silicon Valley
The Reading Room
Unforgettable Lessons
The Art of Saying No and Sticking to the Terms
Yesterday I asked one of my tenants to vacate the office space so I could use it starting next month. Our agreement clearly states a one-month notice, but I offered up to one and a half months if they needed more time.
I spoke directly to the person using the office. The local POC was polite and said, “OK, let me try.” I even suggested two nearby offices owned by friends so they could avoid paying brokerage again.
A few hours later they visited both offices. Then, another POC from a different office joined the conversation and completely changed the tone. Suddenly it was, “We won’t vacate unless you pay us the brokerage we paid when we took this office. It’s been only six months, so if you don’t pay, we’ll stay for another year.”
I explained that brokerage was their arrangement and had nothing to do with me, and that I was following our documented terms. But new demands kept coming—brokerage, rent discounts, and more.
At that point I chose not to waste any more time. They even brought in a lawyer, but I stopped engaging. Now I am simply waiting to see how they respond as the notice period ends, while preparing to ensure I get the office vacated on time.
The Day My Manager Quit and AI Saved the Workflow
Yesterday was unexpected.
I reached the office at 10 am and learned that our manager had quit without informing me. He was leading a 30–35 member team and assigning tasks to all the labour, so suddenly the entire load was on me.
I began by checking our task management tool, which I had set up two years ago. I had never looked too closely at the details since then. Over time, the system had become unnecessarily complex.
When I called the manager, he mentioned that one of the processes took him 6 to 7 hours each time. That did not sound right. I spent the next 4 to 5 hours reviewing his past work and finding a better way to do it. Using AI, I refined the workflow so it could be completed in just 30 to 40 minutes.
It made me realise that as founders, once we delegate, we often stop paying attention to the finer details. But occasionally, it is worth diving in. Understanding what your team does day to day and spotting ways to simplify, especially with AI, can save huge amounts of time and resources.
Can We Rethink How We Keep Our Streets Safe?
Yesterday, as I sat with my notes, piecing together ideas for a new road safety fellowship, I found myself wondering. When did something as simple as crossing the street or riding a bike become so dangerous? I thought about the helmets left hanging on handlebars, the seat belts clicked behind the seat to trick the warning beep, the hurried driver jumping a red light. I thought about the numbers too, nearly 400 children in Gujarat lost each month because of road accidents.
This fellowship I am shaping is not just about traffic lights and technical fixes. It is about people. About how we think, how we behave, and how we can change. It will bring together young minds from psychology, political science, engineering and other fields to work on seat belts, helmets, child safety, policy gaps, emergency responses and the way the media tells these stories.
Road safety is not only a rulebook issue. It is a culture issue. If we can shift the way we think about our streets, we can shift the way we use them.
Seeing Sales Opportunities Everywhere
After weeks of being deep in tech, I have started exploring how sales people think and process information.
I am currently assisting a brand strategist in fetching leads for a SaaS startup and learning how different tools are used for lead generation.
Yesterday at an eChai event, I met someone in SaaS product sales who shared an interesting habit. If he visits a commercial building, he checks the boards, notes down company names, and researches them later. Even a random ad hoarding can catch his attention. If the company fits his criteria, he finds the right people to contact.
It was a simple but powerful reminder that sales opportunities are everywhere if you are looking with the right lens. Yesterday gave me great insights into how sales works and how an SDR’s mind operates.
Networking is not about quick wins. It is about the long game.
We often attend events, swap cards, connect on LinkedIn, and then let it fade. The real value is in the follow-ups, the small check-ins, and the occasional exchange of ideas.
Yesterday I had a deep conversation with someone I first met two years ago. Back then there was no agenda, only curiosity. Over time we built trust naturally. That trust led to a fascinating discussion on cross-border opportunities between India and Japan.
Japan’s aging population is pushing companies to look overseas for growth. India’s fast-maturing MSME sector is a natural magnet. Together they open possibilities for acquisitions, joint ventures, and partnerships that could shape the next decade.
This was not a pitch or a negotiation. It was the result of a relationship nurtured over years.
Some of the biggest opportunities do not come from boardrooms. They come from conversations that began long before anyone saw the potential.
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 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
"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.
