Almost 8 years in Canada, and now back in India for the past 8 months.
I call this the ultimate reset, starting everything from zero.
There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t question if I made the right decision. Reverse culture shock is real.
So is building something that doesn’t exist — and maybe won’t, unless I do it. I want to say I love it.
But I also hate it at the same time. This new journey comes with a weird fog.
You feel like you’re doing something wrong, just because you don’t see anyone around you on the same path.
No like-minded people. No similar shoes. Just you, jumping without a parachute.
When I moved back, I didn’t want to do it alone. I wanted to start a community, not just a product. A crew of people inside the ecosystem who were also figuring it out from scratch.
That’s when I found eChai Ventures and Jatin Chaudhary What they’ve built over more than a decade is impossible to replicate. It’s the kind of force that holds together the chaos of India’s startup system. And the more I spent time around them, the more I realized: their impact is bigger than you can see upfront.
They’ve been part of people’s journeys for so long, they see things the rest of us miss. Insights you won’t get anywhere, not even if you’re paying.
I started going to their events. They do a lot of them.
Not just across India. Globally.
They made the ecosystem feel less like a club and more like a campfire.
From weekly box cricket to being in the rooms where real AI conversations happen at Upsquare®.
It was a true honour to speak at the "Sales Masterclass for Startups : Ahmedabad Edition" organized by eChai Ventures yesterday,
A massive thank you to Jatin Chaudhary and the entire eChai Ventures team for creating such an impactful platform for startup founders. It was a privilege to share the stage with another insightful speaker, Yash Shah (Co-founder, Momentum. Ex Clientjoy), and delve deep into how founders can truly leverage sales strategies for early-stage success.
I had the fantastic opportunity to discuss critical aspects including:
- Getting Customers in the Early Stages: Practical approaches to land those crucial first deals and build initial traction.
- Mastering the Pitch: Crafting compelling narratives to effectively present to prospects and turn rejections into valuable relationships.
- Defining a Winning Pricing Strategy: Insights into setting prices that reflect value and drive growth.
The energy and engagement from all the attendees were incredible. Your insightful questions and active participation made the session truly interactive and rewarding. I hope the frameworks and real-world stories shared will provide actionable strategies for your entrepreneurial journeys.
Looking forward to more such enriching discussions!
This Sunday, from 3 to 6 pm, a group of rebels gathered ... not for gyaan, but for AI-first workflow rewiring.
We didn’t talk about “what AI can do.” We showed what we are doing ... with it.
From rocket .new to Claude.code agents, ChatGPT + Gemini to granola .ai, lovable, hume, emergent ... each tool had a champion. Each workflow, a story. Each person, a perspective.
We explored:
→ Why Business Process Reengineering is no longer a Six Sigma luxury—it’s survival. → Why AI Horror Stories start with blind use, not bold use. → Why Full-Stack Thinking beats tool-stacking.
No slides. No spectators. Just hands-on demos. Laughter. A few “oh damn” moments.
We didn’t leave with answers. We left with upgrades ... mindset, skillset, drive... and toolsets to execute next.
We had a packed room, some super interesting founder pitches, and a whole lot of wisdom and warmth.
Huge gratitude to Pras Hanuma, who literally came straight from the airport after a delayed flight - thank you for showing up with such presence and generosity 🙏
Thank you to the amazing team at DevX for the vibrant work space, and to Jatin Chaudhary and eChai Ventures for giving me the opportunity to host this incredible session!
We need more mornings like this in Mumbai! One where founders show up, ask better questions, and leave a little more inspired than when they walked in.
Just a few hours ago, I had the opportunity to attend one of the most grounded and honest startup conversations I’ve experienced in a while. Hosted by eChai Ventures, the focus was clear: Building Startup Teams & Company Culture — but the takeaways went far beyond titles.
Here's what I learned today from founders who’ve been in the trenches:
1. Culture Isn't Built in Docs. It’s Built in Reactions.
One founder said it best:
“People don’t watch what you say, they watch how you act—especially in difficult moments.” Whether it's resolving disputes or making tough calls, your reactions shape your company's real DNA.
2. Want Loyalty? Build Open Channels, Not Just Pay Hikes
“If someone wants to leave, they will. But if they feel heard, they might not even want to.” An open-door culture with real feedback loops matters more than retention bonuses.
3. Hire for Alignment, Not Just Resumes
One founder shared how their average cost per hire rose from ₹3.5L to ₹12L in under a decade. The shift? Not just inflation—but a focus on mindset alignment over skill matching.
4. AI Is Coming—But Adoption Is a Culture Shift Too
Some brands, like Theka Coffee , are still experimenting. Others are integrating AI into internal workflows and CX. The consensus:
“AI isn’t about tools. It’s about readiness—organizationally and mentally.”
5. Sometimes Leadership Means Saying Goodbye
“If someone repeatedly blocks progress, you must choose mission over momentary peace.” One founder shared how hard, but necessary, it was to part ways with senior team members misaligned with long-term goals.
Personal Reflection:
As someone who works closely with teams across marketing, sales, and product, this session reinforced a key truth: People strategy is business strategy. Whether you’re scaling a startup or running a digital campaign—how you build matters just as much as what you build.
If you’re building a team, culture, or vision—let’s connect. And if you’re curious how AI, leadership, marketing and digital culture can intersect—DMs open.
Grateful to be part of Ahmedabad’s buzzing #founder ecosystem. If you're building teams or culture—or just figuring it out like the rest of us—this one's for you.
"eChai isn’t just a startup community … it’s a mindset . eChai has been one of the most impactful communities in my entrepreneurial journey. It’s been a turning point . In a world where building something can often feel isolating, eChai gave me a sense of belonging. I’ve found mentors, collaborators, and friends here — people who genuinely want to see you succeed. It’s a space where ideas are challenged, actions are celebrated, and founders grow not just in scale, but in clarity and confidence. From late-night ideas to early-morning pitches, this community has quietly but powerfully shaped the way I build, think, and dream. I’ll always be grateful for the way eChai creates spaces where founders don’t just grow businesses — they grow together."
Koumal Kalantry
Founder, Bignano Ventures
"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
"If there’s one phrase that sums up my journey, it’s truly ‘The eChai Effect.’ Six years ago, I simply walked into my first eChai event, not knowing what to expect. The honest conversations, energy, and inspiration from founders and entrepreneurs struck a chord within me. That eChai spark became the catalyst for everything to follow. I proudly say: my entrepreneurship journey started—and keeps evolving—because of eChai. Redicine Medsol’s story is integrally linked to this community. I’ve gained so much, not just as a founder but as a forever volunteer and grateful member of the eChai family. With all my heart, thank you Jatin Bhai and everyone at eChai for shaping, guiding, and supporting my dreams. The eChai Effect will always be a part of my story."
Kush Prajapati
Founder, Redicine Medsol
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.
