Startup Stream

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:

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:

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.

We pushed the limits of our terrace space by hosting over 160+ #entrepreneurs last Saturday! 🧠🔥🌆

The Bengaluru Startup Meetup on Fundraising for Startups, co-hosted with eChai Ventures, turned out to be one of our most high-energy events yet at Draper Startup House, Bangalore. 🚀🎤✨

We had the privilege of hosting two incredible speakers:

- Harnidh K., Head of Fund, WTFund – She broke down their complete vetting process, what they truly look for in founders and why WTFund has become such a magnet for young entrepreneurs 💼💡. It was mind-blowing 🤯 to learn that they receive 2500+ applications per cohort and every single one is read and vetted personally by the team – with zero AI or automation 🤓📄.

She also spent over an hour before and after the event chatting with founders 1:1 – total legend 🧃🫶.

- Neha Lakhwara, CEO, Agility Ventures – Neha didn’t just talk about Agility's investment thesis 💰 and the sectors they’re bullish on 📊🛠️ — she also shared why she will always bet on a founder who shows clarity & grit. 🧠💪. She opened up about her favourite deal and what made it stand out 💎🚀, plus gave a masterclass on the do’s and don’ts of a pitch deck – founders took notes like crazy 📝📉📈.

Huge shoutout to the 160+ attendees who brought the vibe, fired sharp questions 🔥🧨 (some controversial ones too 👀) and stayed till the very end 💬🌙.

We pulled this off thanks to the kindest speakers who gave us their time and wisdom, expecting nothing in return 🕊️💙.

Can’t wait to host Harnidh and Neha again at Draper Startup House soon 🏠🔁

Every Thursday evening in Ahmedabad, pitches will be judged not by investors - but by umpires.

The eChai Startup Cricket Championship kicks off this Thursday, April 17th, bringing together founders, operators, and community builders for something far more grounded: actual tennis ball ground cricket.

The format is simple and serious.

8 teams. 2 groups. Each team plays 3 league matches.
The top 4 teams from a combined points table make it to the semifinals - culminating in a final showdown on May 29th.

All matches will be 12 overs, fast-paced and founder-fueled.

What makes this league different?

Every player is from the startup ecosystem. No outside sign-ups. Team owners will draft from a curated pool of eChai members - those who build, scale, and now… play.

More than just a game, this league is a reflection of how communities grow stronger - not just through meetups and mixers, but by showing up, playing hard, and building relationships that go beyond work.

Game on.

I had the chance to host this fireside chat with Jazz Sethi, Founder of the Diabesties Foundation, as part of TiECon Ahmedabad 2025.

This conversation wasn’t just about diabetes — it was about how lived experience can shape a movement. Jazz shared the deeply personal story behind starting Diabesties after being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 13, and how that journey of loneliness, resilience, and creativity turned into a purpose-led, community-first foundation.

We spoke about building with empathy, scaling with structure, fundraising through emotional resonance, and leading with authenticity. Jazz’s belief in “designing with the user, not for the user” — and her focus on measurable outcomes backed by storytelling — makes this a compelling blueprint for any founder building for impact.

More than just inspiration, this session was full of practical lessons on blending purpose with operational clarity.

Key notes from our conversation:

The Genesis of the Diabesties Foundation

Jazz Sethi shared a very personal "origin story." She was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 13, which she described as a "life-shattering diagnosis" that required daily insulin injections and a significant adjustment to a "new normal." Beyond the physical challenges, she experienced an overwhelming sense of loneliness — stemming from not having people who understood her invisible struggles. This feeling was particularly intense during a severe hypoglycemic episode while she was in Italy for a performance diploma course.

This experience fueled her desire to create something different from the dry, medical information available online. She wanted to build engaging content, a safe space, and a supportive community for people with diabetes — especially young individuals. In 2018, the Diabesties Foundation began with a small meetup that Sethi initiated by personally reaching out to patients (perhaps unethically, but with good intentions). Expecting just five attendees, she was surprised when 25 people showed up — highlighting a significant “gap in the healthcare system” and in society at large.

The Foundational Role of Lived Experience

A core theme throughout the conversation was the importance of lived experience in community-building. For Sethi, living with Type 1 Diabetes provides constant insight into the condition’s unique struggles. This personal understanding drives her approach to “design with the user, not for the user” — a principle she learned from her mother, a designer. In her words, the user is not just a consumer, but someone living with a daily challenge. This user-centric lens is central to how the Diabesties Foundation designs programs, builds communities, and forms partnerships.

Sethi emphasized that this “why,” rooted in lived experience, is what she always returns to when building something new or navigating uncertainty.

Sustaining and Scaling a Purpose-Driven Organization

The conversation also addressed the “business aspect” of running a non-profit. Sethi clarified that while their culture is like a family, they operate “like a corporate.” Early on, she realized that relying only on volunteers wasn’t sustainable. The foundation made a conscious decision to pay employees well, acknowledging that social work doesn’t negate the need for financial stability.

They’ve built strong business fundamentals — structure, teams, SOPs, regular meetings, a board of directors, and external advice from mentors across diverse fields including finance and design. As Sethi put it, “having strong business fundamentals is actually what helps you scale a mission-driven organization.”

Fundraising and Partnership Strategies

Sethi shared a deeply personal and effective approach to fundraising — appealing to people with lived experience of diabetes. Her first major donor was someone with Type 2 Diabetes, and her pitch focused on the shared emotional and physical toll of hypo- and hyperglycemia, especially for a child without resources.

For CSR partnerships, even with companies not directly aligned with diabetes, the foundation aligns its work with broader Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly reduced inequalities and good health. Fundraising is essential, and Sethi treats every opportunity — including this fireside — as a pitch to support a significantly underserved community.

Community Building through Listening and Impact

Sethi emphasized that genuine community-building means actively listening and co-creating with the community. She highlighted the importance of not being overly attached to ideas and being open to pivoting based on feedback. The Diabesties Foundation places a strong focus on outcomes — from measurable clinical metrics like HbA1c reductions to improvements in mental health, school attendance, and a sense of belonging.

Documenting these outcomes and sharing stories of evolution keeps the community engaged and attracts new contributors — whether time, money, or resources. Internally, they also focus on nurturing a “congenial culture” where trust, openness, and mutual support are central.

Embracing Growth and Tackling Challenges

Scaling the foundation comes with its own set of challenges — especially reaching rural India, which often requires slower-moving government partnerships. In 2018, the concept of support groups for chronic illness was still novel and often misunderstood. Now, Sethi sees growing momentum in the patient advocacy movement.

To encourage openness, the foundation nurtures “Type One Champions” and “Type One Ambassadors” who authentically share their journeys. Sethi’s advice to fellow founders: show up with authenticity, speak your truth, and lead by example. Over time, she’s also learned to delegate, trust her team, and say no — essential skills to avoid burnout and ensure sustainability.

Measuring Impact with Metrics and Stories

The Diabesties Foundation is highly data-driven. They track key metrics like HbA1c levels for supported children and quantify the impact of educational resources. But they also recognize the power of stories — the personal, emotional journeys that numbers can’t capture alone. Together, metrics and stories paint a powerful picture of real change.

Tackling Misconceptions and Sharing Guidance

Sethi addressed several myths around diabetes, such as the misconception that it’s contagious or that insulin can be replaced by alternative treatments. Her guidance for parents of newly diagnosed children: accept the diagnosis and actively seek a community. In India, navigating the healthcare system often requires much more than a 15-minute doctor’s visit.

Vision for the Future and Systemic Collaboration

While the focus remains on Type 1 Diabetes for now, Sethi dreams of replicating this support model for all chronic conditions. Her 2040 vision? A diabetes clinic in every district of India, offering access, education, and support. But that level of impact requires many hands, deep collaboration, and government participation.

Building Meaningful Partnerships

Sethi believes successful partnerships are built on shared purpose. From the outset, roles should be clearly defined, and credit must be shared generously. For her, it’s not about the Diabesties Foundation getting recognition — it’s about impact.

Meeting people who inspire, guide, and support you is incredibly empowering.

Truly grateful to Dr. Sunil R Parekh – D. Litt. (HC) for the continued support over the years.