Meet the Founders who made it to Shark Tank! 💼 🌊

An initiative by Netcore for Startups to enable budding founders to get a sneak peek at how they transformed their pitches into success while navigating the entrepreneurial landscape

🎙 Featured Speakers:
🔹 Stuti Ashok Gupta, the visionary behind Amrutam
🔹 Mayank B Nagori, championing sustainability with Gud Gum | Plastic-free chewing gum
🔹 Sumit Rastogi, the creative genius driving Artinci’s journey

📅 Save the date: 19th April, Friday
🕧 Time: 6:30 PM IST
📍 Venue: Netcore Cloud, Bengaluru

This event, co-hosted by Netcore Cloud, eChai Ventures, and Headstart Network Foundation, promises an evening of genuine connections, actionable insights, and perhaps a few jaw-dropping untold stories!

Secure your spot now. RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/gKW7ctDF

I (and members of The D2C Folks) had the privilege of learning so much from the panelists at the D2C event by eChai Ventures and Netcore Cloud yesterday!

From Shivam Tiwari's inspiring story to Janvi Tiwari's unwavering dedication to her brand SOQO, and Vandita Tewari Kapoor's insightful strategies for Iyurved, every moment was enriching.

Waiting for more of these enlightening sessions!

Thank you Nanda Kumar, Mitul Aggarwal for this event!

Gorang Gupta | Nishanth Kumar | Manesh Jain | Prashant Prakash Dubey | Jatin Chaudhary

Extending heartfelt thanks to Malav Warke and eChai Ventures for the gracious invitation to join the panel alongside Deepa Bhowmick from Daisy Life at the recent D2C startups meetup in Pune.

It was an incredibly insightful experience, filled with enriching discussions and valuable networking opportunities. Your dedication to cultivating collaboration within the D2C ecosystem is truly inspiring!

Grow Billion Trees

Gallabox - your all in one WhatsApp Business Tool

Gallabox is a no-code, conversational commerce platform that leverages the WhatsApp Business API to help small and medium-sized businesses improve their sales conversions.

About the team

Yogesh was one of the early Engineering team members at Sulekha where he built the marketplace for Local Services, mining deep understanding of user needs and ‘matchmaking’ with SMB offers. He was also the first Engineering team member at CredAvenue where he built the fintech marketplace for debt.

Yathin created the Value Delivery function at Sulekha, a system that kept track of what’s due to paying customers and led the B2B product at Sulekha that was used by over 50,000 SMBs to keep track of their leads and deals.

Karthik helped build Sulekha’s Local Services business from ground up and built it to a Rs 100 crore ARR on the back of over 50,000 SMBs. He saw how the Internet was impacting SMBs at the dawn of the digital era while at Sify. He built the wedding services marketplace for Matrimony with users on one end and SMBs on the other.

Eureka moment

Sales is the lifeblood for small to medium sized businesses, but they lack the resources & know-how to convert their prospects and sell better. 

We want to help businesses grow their sales through cutting-edge technologies channeled through easy-to-use tools - to digitize and automate their customer interactions.

How does it work?

 

Business model

We are a SaaS company and charge subscription for use of our product. Plans vary by features and are designed for businesses of all sizes

Traction

We now serve almost 1,000 paying customers from India and abroad, while over 12,000 businesses use our product for free.

Community support

Help us with product feedback, offer constructive criticism and brainstorm for new ideas for product road-map and for GTM.

Had an amazing time on the eChai's panel discussion last weekend about D2C startups, alongside Sanil Jain of 'The Better Shop' and Aayush Poddar of 'The Messy Corner'. 🚀

One of the highlights of the event was the exceptional quality of questions from the audience. 💡

Drawing from my own experiences, I was able to contribute to the discussion by sharing insights from my journey of building Clapper 🎬, and working with SUGAR Cosmetics.

Building Clapper, has given me a unique perspective on engaging with a young and dynamic audience. Understanding their preferences and constantly innovating to meet their needs has been key to our success. 💪

Whereas working with SUGAR Cosmetics has helped to understand the significance of branding and marketing in the beauty and personal care sector.

I hope that the insights shared during the session will inspire others to embark on their own journey. 🙏

#Shark𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐊 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚

> 1 million Applications Received across India 🇮🇳
> Only 1 Lakh Shortlisted
> Only 800 Startups selected for Personal Interview
> Only 200 pitches are selected to 'Present in front of Sharks' for Shoot at Film City.

Recently I got an opportunity to meet Pitchers at Shark Tank India at eChai meetup.

It was truly enlightening and inspiring, offering valuable insights and perspectives that will undoubtedly benefit me both personally and professionally.

> Chetan Kanani - A Visionary Businessman
> Adil Qadri - Great gunda of his Niche
> Mohit Gadhiya - Calm and Visionary Entrepreneur
> Anand Nahar & Amrit Nahar - Concrete combo of Fun and Finance and Food
> @𝐑𝐚𝐣 bhai 𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 - Senior most one and Authentic person

𝐓𝐨𝐩 5 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐮𝐩

1️⃣ Focus on expertise, not just interface
2️⃣ Mind set is everything so be a part of Community and attend the Training Sessions of your niche
3️⃣ Entrepreneurs have vision not only Growth Plans
4️⃣ Don't be good, Be great at Business Finance Numbers
5️⃣ Be authentic all the time

Kudos to eChai Ventures for arranging this meeting and Manoj Adwani for hosting this event.

Though I'm not much of a television serial enthusiast, I do consider myself a #series kind of person. I've been captivated by "Shark Tank India" and am keen on exploring the US and UK versions soon. My interest in business and wanting to know more about new startup , ideas and founders led me to attend eChai Ventures meetings. 🌍 Yesterday, I attended eChai Ventures at Ahmedabad University.

There's a saying, "Seeing on TV is one thing, but experiencing it live is something entirely different." The difference between a reel and real life is truly fascinating! 🎥✨ #reelvsreal

I wanted to grow as much as possible and empower as many people as I could. The mantra was, "I don't just want a job for myself; I want to create jobs for many." - #onmyway #startofmyjourney 🚀

Founders who have made it to Shark Tank India, like Payal Pathak and Soham Payal Pathak of The Simply Salad, shared their journey at an e-chai panel discussion. 🥗 "Simply Salad" saw growth from 3k to 9k followers post-Shark Tank and currently boasts 53,000 followers. Inspired by diet and healthy food, the founders believe in the power of authenticity and storytelling. They thought expanding to more cities before appearing on Shark Tank would have been advantageous. 🌱 #healthylife #healthyfood #inspringjourney

In discussions about family support, the consensus is that, while we hope for it, it's often not forthcoming. It's usually a few close people who support you at the start. Social media presence and marketing are key.

Raj Shah from WeHear pointed out that a Shark Tank episode, which lasts 20 minutes on TV, may actually go on for 1.5–2 hours. The foundation of a company lies in its people. #pepole #team #investinpeople

"Why take a flight when you can travel in third economy?" This question underscores the importance of value creation and staying grounded.#staygrounded

This resonates with my personal belief that I don't need expensive gadgets for the sake of it. My journey from coveting an iPhone in school to now prioritizing investment in dreams, vision, and people reflects this ideology. 📱➡️🌟

Nayan Shah co-founder of Maisha Lifestyle, also shared their insights. Failures are seen as learning opportunities. The vision of a firm, like Maisha's aim of providing one bag to every woman, is critical for success. 🎒#vision #goal #learninganddevelopment Esha Shah

Ileshkumar Sharma, founder of Same Notification, shared insights on public perception, there's wisdom in focusing on constructive criticism and ignoring trolls with simple answers. Engaging too much with negative comments offers little benefit. 🛡️💬 #focus #crticism

If you've attended events, what inspired you, or what is your vision for business and startups? Let's discuss for mutual growth. 💡🤝

Thanks to Jatin Chaudhary eChai Ventures VentureStudio for arranging such a great event!!

Here is your chance to meet the Surat Founders who appeared in "Shark Tank Season 3" 🦈 at next eChai meetup in Surat.

📅 When : 16 Feb (Fri) - 6pm
📍 Where : Logicwind Terrace, Piplod, Surat

👉 Free Registration : https://lnkd.in/dykfdHdt

P.S. : Alpino Health Foods is from Season 1. They are more than a Guest, they are co-host ❤️

eChai Ventures | Jatin Chaudhary 

Let me take you back to where it all began - how I crossed paths with my co-founders, Bharat and Vipul. We were buddies who embarked on our entrepreneurial journey in 2011 with our SAAS venture, "Depasser Infotech," where we dabbled in tech services. Fast forward to 2016, the eCommerce scene picked up pace, and we decided to dive into that realm alongside our existing venture. However, navigating the eCommerce landscape proved challenging, especially with the logistical hurdles we encountered. During this time, Vipul reached out to his friend Paresh, who had a wealth of experience in logistics, seeking advice on our predicament. The more we delved into it, the more apparent it became that many others in the eCommerce sphere faced similar issues.

That's when Paresh brought Nikul into the fold, leveraging his expertise in logistics and finance. In 2017, the five of us came together to launch iThink Logistics. We each brought something unique - Vipul's strategic acumen, my knack for communication, Bharat's tech savviness, Paresh's operational prowess, and Nikul's financial wizardry. With a shared vision to transform eCommerce logistics, iThink Logistics was born.

Today, we proudly stand with over 10,000+ eCommerce brands, providing them with a one-stop solution for all their logistics needs.

Taniya Biswas

and I are sisters – we met when she was born (since she is younger to me)! But the decision to become co-founders was made roughly a decade ago. We toyed with a few ideas before finally founding Suta in 2016.

Before co-founding Suta, Taniya (Ta) and I were both passionate about creating a venture of our own, which would serve the greater good. We both let go of lucrative corporate jobs, driven by this vision and our passion for meaningful change. Suta was born of our own nostalgic love for cotton sarees – those worn by the womenfolk in our homes. 

We wanted to bring back sarees into the mainstream as versatile garments for everyday wear, instead of being relegated to pujas and festivities alone. That’s how Suta came to be. 

Today, we’re focused on reviving heirloom Indian crafts through our products and finding them audiences across India and even internationally. Our motto is to ensure that the weavers and artisans we work with (17,000+) have a regular source of income, the means and motivation to pursue their crafts, and do not have to migrate from their ancestral homes to larger cities in search of work.

As co-founders, we follow a very fluid process and both of us jointly undertake our responsibilities. We believe that we work best when we work together, and that our two minds are better than either by itself. That said, I am better with more analytical processes and decisions, while Ta is a creative minefield. 

eChai's Startup Growth Networking Meetup in Ahmedabad is happening today evening at IIMA Ventures from 6 pm to 8 pm.

ft.

Zaiba Sarang

(iThink Logistics)

Bhavesh Patel

(Brands.live)

Aditya Shah

(Because)

Vishakha Shah

(Venus Logistics)

Sushil Agrawal

(Saarthi Pedagogy)

I'll be moderating this meetup.

Free registration at eChai.Ventures

So aaj baat karte hai Sales ki , Sales kya hai and jo bhi hai that is according to me. We can agree to disagree. (This is not AI generated :D )

So I was fired from my job in 2007 for being the worst salesman, as my sales for 6 months was ZERO. That was my first sales job as well.

Fir koi job nahi de raha tha to I started on my own, apporached 200+ customers for my services and finally I got it. It's not the subject of classroom learning but the subject of Action. Do 100 cold calls and you will know and you can see the difference between your first cold and call and 100th.

Then to sharpen my skills, I started learning Sales Techniques and Psychological techniques but at the end Click wahi hua jo hona chahiye tha, today I consider myself a good salesman. My learnings in this journey are

- You don't need techniques but you need authenticity

- Sales is not about processes, openings and closures but It's about People , Understanding people is the key.

- Instead of selling, focus on value creation (waise ye sab pahele bhi 100 baar sun ya padh chuke honge )

- If you have empathy , connection , authenticity, Integrity then you understand your customer , team members , partners far better way and that's the key to sales.

- Last is face your fear. Cold calls are most difficult for many people but once you pick up the call and talk like a human , you will realize that person on other side is same and you can have a good talk at least.

Photo story : I am doing what I love doing most, Sales.

Notes for founders raising funds for the first time

BabyOrgano has raised the funds from DevX Ventures.

During our pitches to various investors, we've recognized that the transparency of our business model and the founder's honesty have been pivotal in garnering positive responses.

Key pointers:

Conversations with startup founders can be so jam-packed with energy, insights, and ideas! And these are even richer in a casual setting, like at today's Social event by eChai Ventures.

It was a pleasure getting to know you,

Janvi Tiwari

  and

Srijan Sharma

  ! Your energy and mission are very inspiring - all the best for the road ahead. 😊

#Throwback

🚀 Recently, I had the opportunity to join an insightful panel alongside some incredible minds - Vandana Jain from Evident Capital, Priyank Jain, Co-founder of Soup-X, and the insightful moderator, Riten (Fueler).

Initially, I had my reservations, but thanks to Jatin Chaudhary's generosity in extending multiple invites, I decided to dive in. Grateful that I could overcome my inhibitions.

I questioned whether I could bring anything new to the table, considering my previous engagements on similar topics. It felt like everything I could share was already out there, accessible as playbooks or online courses. And as for my own and my brand's journey, well, it's right there on the internet for anyone to read.

But here's what this experience taught me:

1. Sometimes, we underestimate the value of our unique insights and journeys. We might think we've shared enough knowledge already, but there's always a fresh perspective or a new angle to offer. Your experiences are your own, and they can resonate with others on their own entrepreneurial journey.

2. The D2C space in India has indeed seen its fair share of repetition, especially in the post-COVID world. It's easy to fall into the same patterns and practices, but true pioneers stand out through innovation. Let's challenge the status quo and explore ways to set ourselves apart, beyond just products and sales channels.

Speaking at Draper Startup House and eChai Ventures event(s) is always a joy, and this time, it reminded me of the unique energy in Bangalore's startup ecosystem. It's an energy unlike any other, with an audience whose enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge were truly palpable.

And as we navigate the D2C landscape in India, let's remember that innovation, sustainable growth and authenticity are our guiding lights. While fundraising remains crucial, our focus should remain on building robust foundations, delivering exceptional customer experiences, and nurturing our long-term vision.

Here's to more enriching conversations and pushing the boundaries of D2C in Bharat! 🚀🇮🇳

🤝 Meeting incredible new minds and reconnecting with old friends—what a day it was filled with inspiring conversations! #Networking #NewConnections #Reunions

Vishnu Chaitanya,Gopi Krishna Gantala,Reena Sumera,Srikanth Dhanwada,Pradeep Reddy,Jatin Chaudhary,Dhruv Gupta,The Headquarters,Zepul,eChai Ventures,iTIC Incubator at IITH

First customer : (this is not AI generated story :D )

Today I am going to share how we got our first customer for 58 Miles and how our first stock was sold out in a day.

So once we were ready with our stock and we were planning many things in all directions, that online fod daalenge , Insta pe dhamaal macha lenge and give few samples to influencers and once 10-15 reviews are set , we will sell our stock in next 2-3 months with lots of learning.

As our first product is "Camera wale baba ka Jhola, to Sahil Shah ne bola , to take part in Offline photo expo in Gandhinagar, and I was convinced to give it a try. We booked last moment so got the last stall :D

At the expo, we unveiled our product, but for the entire morning, it was like a ghost town at our stall. Ten other camera bag bigwigs had set up shop before us. But then, around 1:00 PM, a lone ranger strolled in. I narrated the whole saga of Moment Camera bag by 58miles, and guess what? He agreed to pay! A whole year of hard work, and finally, someone was ready to pay for it. I was so overwhelmed that when he swiped for payment, I stopped him and said, "It's a gift from us, Sir." He couldn't believe it! With joy and excitement, he ran out, sharing the tale of our unique camera bag and how he got it for free.

and then it was like everybody was coming to our stall, we were talk of town (thought it was expo and not the town) We were sold out , all 125 bags for first stock, on the first day of expo. I could not believe it.

Photo story : The guy in black tshirt is not our first customer , Its our beloved supporter , my pakka dost Jatin Chaudhary (eChai Ventures wale bhaiya). His support to us and thousands of other startups across the globe is unmatchable. He bought the Camera bag just to support our launch.
www.58miles.com

D2C Unlocked | Chapter 20 | Ahmedabad

Inviting all the D2C founders in Ahmedabad for a fantastic evening of networking & bliss! 🙌

Join the 20th chapter of D2C Unlocked, a close-knit gathering of founders only curated by Team Simpl & powered by Affinidi 

Register Here: https://forms.gle/iQWzEYV3kaZ8MGYP8

🗓️ When?: 08th Feb, 2024 
⏰ Time?: 6-9PM IST
📍Where?: Ahmedabad 

What’s happening?

1) Panel Discussion with ⁠

- Ananya Maloo, Founder, Nuutjob 
- Jigar Patel, Founder, Brillare Science 
- Tanisha Lakhani, Founder, Protouch
- ⁠Shivam Dang, Growth, Simpl
 
2) Networking Mixer 

Engage in meaningful conversations & discussions over Food & Drinks 🍸 

3) Community Activities 

Experience some fun community engagement activities curated by Team Simpl 👏

[Please note this event is designed exclusively for D2C Founders & Co-founders only]

For any queries, drop an email here 👇

[email protected]