Have you ever felt like all the “good startup ideas” are already taken?
That’s exactly how I used to feel… until I attended the eChai DPI Dialogues at GUSEC, Ahmedabad on July 2, 2025.
This wasn’t your usual sit-back-and-listen event. It was an eye-opener. A deep dive into how India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) — like Aadhaar, UPI, ONDC, DigiLocker, ABHA, and Account Aggregators — is giving rise to an entirely new generation of Indian startups.
Let me take you inside the room.
🌐 What is DPI and Why Should Startups Care?
DPI stands for Digital Public Infrastructure — the government-backed digital systems that now touch almost every aspect of Indian life.
We’re talking about:
- Aadhaar (identity)
- UPI (payments)
- DigiLocker (verified documents)
- ONDC (commerce)
- ABHA (health)
- Account Aggregators (finance)
But here’s the twist: these aren’t just tools for governance anymore. They’re building blocks — open, accessible APIs that any entrepreneur can build on top of.
Think Shopify, but desi. Think Stripe, but decentralized. That’s the power we’re holding… and many of us haven’t even realized it yet.
🔥 Top Takeaways from the DPI Dialogues @GUSEC
1. ONDC is NOT just about food delivery
Yes, we’ve all heard about ONDC being the new-age Zomato killer. But the reality is so much bigger.
I learned about:
- “Vayu” – an ONDC-integrated auto booking platform with zero commission to drivers.
- Daily orders crossing 18,000+ through creative ONDC-backed offers.
- Use cases expanding into logistics, healthcare, and even chemical procurement!
Think of ONDC as the UPI moment for commerce.
2. You Don’t Need to Be a Techie to Build on DPI
This one hit me personally. If you’re not from a tech background:
- Find a development partner — offer them equity instead of paying upfront.
- Start small — MVPs > Massive Apps.
- Focus on solving real user friction, not just building for the sake of “innovation”.
3. Content + Education = Distribution Superpower
DPI infra is powerful — but still under-communicated.
Most users still don’t know they can:
- Order food outside Zomato
- Apply for loans with a few clicks
- Book rides on alternative mobility platforms
That’s a huge opportunity for founders who understand storytelling and trust-building. Educate your users, build trust, and scale without burning VC cash.
💬 My Biggest Realization?
DPI is the new railway. You can either build the train or open the chai stall — both are valuable, but only if you’re on the platform.
Whether you’re in fintech, mobility, edtech, healthtech, or D2C — DPI is opening the doors. We just need to step in.
🙌 Special Thanks
Before I wrap this up, I want to sincerely thank the eChai team for hosting such an insightful and founder-focused session.
🙏 Big shoutout to:
- Nirav Shah, Co-Founder, Let’s Talk Business Pvt. Ltd. – for breaking down complex DPI layers into real startup opportunities.
- Shruti Jayswal, Founder of Ridefy Invention – for hosting the event so smoothly and creating an open, engaging atmosphere.
This was more than a panel — it felt like a startup jam session where every attendee left with at least 5 new ideas.
Let’s ride this wave early — because DPI isn’t the future. It’s the now.
📩 Drop me a line at info@pranavveerani.com