How xPitchdeck’s Nikash Patade is Redefining Startup Pitching

Discover how xPitchdeck founder Nikash Patade turned past lessons into success. Learn how WeWork Labs and Growth Campus helped his startup thrive.

Nikash Patade leans back with a thoughtful smile, reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey. “When it comes to entrepreneurship, no one knows the right chemistry,” he muses. “What I feel is essential is being in the right environment and among people with the right mindset.”

If there’s anyone who understands the highs and lows of building something from scratch, it’s Nikash.

As a second-time founder, he’s lived through the full entrepreneurial cycle—from conceiving an idea to assembling a team and executing a vision. His first venture, ELMO Logistics, an electric vehicle logistics startup, was ahead of its time when he launched it in 2015. But the challenges were formidable—vehicle financing hurdles, manufacturing complexities, and an ecosystem that wasn’t quite ready for the future he envisioned.

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“Looking back, I can see that timing is everything,” he admits. The experience taught him that a great idea and strong partners are only part of the equation. Success demands the right timing, the right market conditions, and above all, resilience.

Armed with hard-earned lessons, Nikash set his sights on a universal problem faced by founders—creating compelling pitch decks. xPitchdeck came about as a result Nikash's interactions with other founders who seemingly had a similar problem to him early on--having a sharp pitch deck that they can present to investors.

He understood that a brilliant idea means little if investors aren’t convinced. And so, xPitchdeck was born, offering tailored solutions to help startups tell their stories effectively.

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Three years into his new venture, Nikash found himself facing a new challenge: securing the right co-working space for his team. “Getting an office in Mumbai is no small feat for a startup,” he says. “From space constraints to skyrocketing rents, it’s a huge hurdle.”

That’s where Growth Campus came in. The program checked all the right boxes for xPitchdeck, providing a dynamic environment and crucial support. Two years since joining, Nikash and his team are now gearing up for expansion, thriving in a space that fosters innovation.

Nikash describes his experience with WeWork Labs as “overwhelming” in the best way possible. Before joining, he had never received structured external support. But everything changed when he collaborated with the Labs team on an event series in Mumbai. “I was nervous,” he recalls, “but the biggest takeaway was being discoverable.” The event not only gave him invaluable exposure but also helped him generate 30 new leads—a milestone he had never hit before.

The experience reshaped his approach. “I realized the importance of visibility,” he says. Now, he’s strategically investing in events, ensuring xPitchdeck stays in front of the right audience.

Looking Ahead: Embracing the Founder MindsetA mentor once told Nikash, “If a founder can’t sell, the startup is bound to be doomed.” Those words continue to drive his next moves. As an introvert, stepping into the spotlight hasn’t always come naturally, but he’s learning to embrace it.

“There’s a fine line between those who succeed and those who don’t,” he reflects. “Failure rates speak for themselves, but the key is finding the right environment and mindset. I’ve found that at WeWork Labs.”

With a sharpened focus and the right support system, Nikash Patade is proving that the second time around just might be the charm.