2025 has been anything but stable. Reciprocal tariffs have caused tremors in global trade, and investors have turned to the yellow metal as a reliable haven. The US–China imbroglio goes on and on, and it has supercharged gold demand, especially after President Trump imposed a steep 125% duty on Chinese imports. Though we’ve had a 90-day pause that’s allowing some breathing room for traders, the gold market is gunning to go higher. Yesterday, it closed at an all-time high of $1,292.60 per ounce.
Central Banks and Institutional Confidence
Gold has consistently been attracting central bank buying from across the world. In recent years, their annual purchases have exceeded an eye-popping 1,000 tonnes. And they haven’t slowed down this year. Take none other than the People’s Bank of China, for example. It has marked another five straight months of buying gold. Heavy amounts of it. Check out the inflow numbers at the Gold ETFs where the Chinese go to buy their gold.
Economic Worries and Rate Cuts
Stagflation in the US, an uncomfortable mix of high inflation and low growth, has many people worried these days. Gold has generally done very well historically when we’ve had this kind of economic backdrop. The overall expectation is that the Fed is going to cut rates two more times this year, which is dollar-negative and gold-positive. In fact, gold in 2024 has done the opposite of what it was supposed to do: go down when the stock market is going up and the dollar is doing well. Instead, it has gone up.
Volatility, Debt, and Safe Haven Appeal
So far in 2025, the stock market has had a hard time, and investors are pushing toward stable assets as equity volatility increases. The US national debt now exceeds 36 trillion dollars (INR 2,995 lakh crore), which only makes gold all the more appealing (as a hedge, at least). And it’s not just the US national debt; a range of geopolitical risks from Europe to the Middle East has made gold attractive for hedging. Today, gold isn’t just a hedge; it’s the core of many diversified portfolios.
Gold Forecasts Remain Bullish
International banks are steadily adjusting their forecasts for the price of gold, and not in a downward direction. They began the year forecasting a starting price of $2,650. Then things got interesting. In a matter of days, they touched $3,200, and prices have found support at just under $3,000. Forecasts for the short term range two benchmarks apart: J.P. Morgan’s modest $3,000 gold price to Deutsche Bank’s far loftier $3,700 price.
And forecasts have gotten even more interesting. At the top of the list, projections have reached $8,000. In what seems a remarkable communique, Swiss Asia Capital, which has long forecast gold appreciation, is now more than doubling its already high figure to call for $8,000 gold. Insurance isn’t cheap, but in this age of global instability, buying it may be essential.
Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have reverted to net selling after a brief buying spree in late March. Between April 1 and 11, they sold equities totaling 31,988 crore INR, extending a broader trend of selling that has persisted since January. The latest wave of exits seems to have been triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs, and it underscores the fragile sentiment that is apparently prevailing in global equity markets. The Indian currency mirrored this mood, posting its steepest weekly fall since February.
This latest spate of selling adds to an already quite disruptive financial year. Foreign portfolio investors pulled out INR 1.27 lakh crore in FY25, the second-largest single-year exodus, prompted by worries over international policies and not-so-hot Indian corporate profits.
Weaker Rupee and Lower Returns Amplify the Pain
Returns from Indian equities have been doubly dented for foreign investors: first, by falling share prices; second, by the depreciating rupee. Even with a late-week bounce in domestic indices that saw the Sensex jump 1.77% on Friday, the overall trend for Indian equities continues to be cautious.
Technical signs persistently show that trouble could be brewing. The first was the sudden sharp rise in the India VIX, up 46% just this week alone, which seems to have caught many by surprise. A rising VIX signals that options traders are increasingly nervous and that, well, a market drop might be in the cards. And a falling Nifty, which we do have right now, also adds fuel to this fire, or is it smoke? Anyway, it doesn’t look good either way.
Tariff Drama and Global Trade Risks
The mounting intensity of global events has only amplified investor caution. As the U.S. and China trade blows over tariffs, the increased inversion in the yield curve and falling stock prices have many on Wall Street bathing in the shivers and bracing for increased dent in the value of their portfolios. But how bad could it really get?
Barring a full-blown crisis using the yield curve inversion as a template, we could be looking at a good two years ahead with pretty much no economic growth. According to Master Trust’s Director Puneet Singhania, a bullish marubozu candle indicates some buying at lower levels. However, he emphasizes that the trend is still “sell-on-rise” until we see volatility ease and technical strength return.
A Potential Comeback for FPIs?
Even as the ongoing sell-off takes its toll, some analysts see the reversal potential. VK Vijayakumar at Geojit Investments sees a potential steady state return for global investors once the present turmoil subsides. He sees the March 2026 quarter coming in with 6% GDP growth for India as the base case and a near-term potential earnings (EPS) growth return for the Nifty 50 index companies.
At present, FPIs are cautious. However, if global uncertainty dissipates and India’s domestic fundamentals remain robust, these financial investors may revert to a bullish stance on India’s long-term growth narrative.
On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump made it clear that no nation would be excluded from the recent tariffs put in place under his trade policy. This was in direct contrast to earlier indications that some electronic items might be exempt. Trump’s statement came just a couple of days after U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued word that certain consumer electronics could indeed be tariff-free. That led to a lot of head-scratching among industry participants, to say nothing of the markets.
Trump intensified a strong posture toward trade deficits with his recent Truth Social post. In it, he swore that not one person would get away with what he considers to be trade balance cheating. He told Americans not to worry, because the new trade arrangements were going to hit China and everyone else so hard that they would be face-planted with no way to get up.
Electronics Face Tariff Shuffle, Not Exemption
Although Friday’s Customs guidance suggested that some sought-after electronics might escape the upcoming tariffs, Trump insisted that wasn’t the case. Trump said that the authorities are merely changing the classification of certain items to different tariff categories to ensure they stay included, even though Customs had previously said they might be exempt.
“Nobody is getting “off the hook” for the unfair trade balances, and non monetary tariff barriers, that other countries have used against us, especially not China which, by far, treats us the worst! There was no tariff “exception” announced on Friday. These products are subject to the existing 20% fentanyl tariffs, and they are just moving to a different tariff bucket,” Trump said.
This interpretation was backed up by White House adviser Stephen Miller, who said that goods were still be subject to tariffs, under the terms set forth in the initial declaration that covers imports from countries like China, Canada, and Mexico.
National Security Investigations to Expand Scope
Trump’s Sunday remarks also set up a larger context: an upcoming probe into the whole electronics supply chain, characterized as a national security issue. He asserted that America has become perilously dependent on foreign factories, especially from the sorts of countries he branded as ‘hostile trading partners.’
Expected to be central to the forthcoming probes are semiconductors and critical technological infrastructure. The suggestion is to revive domestic manufacturing and, in the process, eliminate dependencies that could leave the US open to external economic shocks or geopolitical tension.
Connecting his tariff strategy to his larger economic vision, Trump declared the country to be in a “Golden Age” of sorts. He cited the recent tax and regulatory relief passed by Congress as a stimulus to a returning economy. Central to his 2025 campaign message are these planks: job creation; a push for domestic production; and ‘fair’ trade, especially with countries like China.
The AI tools are altogether altering how people have made money and how they will make money, automating various activities, increasing productivity, and creating new business avenues across different domains. Content creation and digital marketing would be utterly dependent on these tools to give the users a helping hand in streamlining operations and becoming far more effective. The quality of blog posts, marketing content, and social media posts is taken care of by AI writing assistants powered by NLP, customizable templates, and SEO optimization.
AI in design is undertaking the drawing of images, illustrations, and merchandise to aid freelancers and entrepreneurs in creating their logos, posters, or NFTs. In affiliate marketing, AI is used to conduct searches for trends, optimize websites to improve conversion rates, and conduct keyword research using predictive analytics. There are many more applications of AI besides content and design. It has made the development of websites easier by offering templates, suggestions for integrating website content, and great improvements for search engine optimization.
AI-powered content writing, marketing copy, and blog generation
Jasper AI – Best AI Tools to Help You Make Money Online
Jasper AI is a powerful content creation tool for marketers, entrepreneurs, and creators alike to generate digital content quickly and of the highest quality. Powered by GPT-4, it designs blog posts, product descriptions, social media ads, and landing page copy using custom-made templates. It is integrated with Surfer SEO for search optimization and over 30 languages for a truly global reach. Jasper Art enables creating visuals by AI generation for marketing purposes, and the in-built plagiarism checker (Copyscape) guarantees originality for an extra fee. The platform also offers collaborative tools, enabling many users to work on content creation simultaneously. Jasper AI simplifies the process of content creation and is thus an asset to businesses and professionals.
Pros
User-friendly interface
Fast and efficient content generation
Multilingual content creation
Cons
Unable to generate complex and technical issues
Additional cost for plagiarism detection
Pricing
Plan
Pricing
Creator
$39/seat/month
Pro
$59/seat/month
Business
Jasper AI offers custom pricing; contact them for a quote.
Canva
WEBSITE
www.canva.com
Rating
4.8
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
Graphic design, social media content creation, and marketing materials
Canva – Best AI Tools to Help You Make Money Online
The AI design platform Canva is a powerful tool to streamline content development for both personal and professional needs. This design studio is perfect for making graphics for social media, presentations, videos, and posters, with a simple interface that makes professional designs achievable even if one’s skills aren’t very advanced. The Magic Studio suite consists of AI-powered tools such as Magic Write for generating text, Magic Media for text-to-image, Magic Eraser for erasing elements, and Magic Animate for animating. Its features offer thousands of customizable templates, DALL-E-powered AI image generation, and collaboration tools via Canva Teams. The Brand Kit provides logos, fonts, and colors for consistent branding, thus creating an extremely formidable platform for creatives to monetize and grow their businesses.
Pros
Beginner-friendly friendly no learning curve
Free plan for basic features
Affordable alternative as compared to Photoshop
Cons
Lacks advanced editing
Free version doesn’t support transparent background exports
AI-powered content writing, blog creation, and ad copy generation
Writesonic – Best AI Tools to Help You Make Money Online
Writesonic is the program for you if you’re a freelancer, marketer, or entrepreneur looking to increase productivity in blogging, advertising, e-commerce describing, etc. The Writesonic AI Article Writer creates long-form SEO articles in a matter of minutes, while the Ad Copy Generator develops great ads for channels such as Facebook and Google Ads. With e-commerce generation tools for enticing product titles and descriptions, and Chatsonic- the AI chatbot with Google to search for real-time data insight on demand, Writesonic emerges as an all-in-one solution for content creation and online monetization. The solution is multilingual, supporting more than 25 languages for vast reach, and there is also Photosonic for AI image generation.
Pros
Free trial available
Reduces research and writing time
High-quality content generation
Cons
Delays in processing larger requests
The free version doesn’t support transparent background exports
Pricing
Plan
Pricing
Lite
$49/month
Standard
$99/month
Professional
$249/month
Advanced
$499/month
Enterprise
Writesonic offers custom pricing; contact them for a quote.
HoppyCopy
WEBSITE
www.hoppycopy.co
Rating
4.9
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
AI-powered email marketing copy generation, including campaigns, newsletters, and drips
HoppyCopy – Best AI Tools to Help You Make Money Online
HoppyCopy is an AI-based email marketing tool designed to ease email campaign creation, newsletters, and drip sequences by marketers, business owners, and creators. The AI Copywriter generates persuasive copies, while the Newsletter Creator designs visually appealing emails enhanced with rich media. The Email Sequence Planner ensures a smooth ride for multi-day campaigns geared towards product launches or promotions, whereas the spam checker helps deliverability by identifying all the spam keyword triggers. HoppyCopy also has Competitor Monitoring for strategic insights, and a Content Converter lets you repurpose a blog or tweet into an email. With support for over 35 languages and integrations with Mailchimp and Constant Contact, it is a powerful tool for your email marketing success.
Pros
Automates email creation and optimization
Spam checking feature for inbox placement
Competitor monitoring with actionable insights
Cons
Higher tier plans are expensive
Generated copy might have high spam scores
Pricing
Plan
Pricing
Starter
$39/month
Pro
$79/month
Scale
$199/month
Synthesia
WEBSITE
www.synthesia.io
Rating
4.7
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
AI-powered video creation with realistic avatars and voiceovers
Synthesia – Best AI Tools to Help You Make Money Online
Synthesia is an AI video generator that allows users to create high-quality professional videos with lifelike avatars, bridging the gap for those who need cameras, actors, and advanced editing finesse. Originally intended for corporate training, e-learning, marketing, and internal communications, it boasts over 230 customizable AI avatars that are natural in their gestures and expressions and can create custom avatars. With support for more than 140 languages and over 60 subtitle options, it converts text into videos where lip movements and voiceover are completely synchronized. Furnishing users with 300+ customizable templates, it gives the option to modify the background, font, and colors, including cloning a given voice.
Pros
Saves time and costs for video production
Scalable solution for businesses of all sizes
Custom avatars and voice cloning
Cons
Advanced features at higher pricing
Limited creative flexibility
Pricing
Plan
Pricing
Starter
$18/month
Creator
$64/month
Enterprise
Contact Sales
Chatbase
WEBSITE
www.chatbase.co
Rating
4.0
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
Building and deploying AI-powered chatbots for customer support and engagement
Chatbase – Best AI Tools to Help You Make Money Online
Chatbase is a somewhat empowered AI chatbot builder in the sense that it provides the factory with intelligent, responsive chatbots for building its original datasets, hence creating a differentiating factor. For any automated responses alongside customer support to be accomplished, the function is perfectly integrated by custom ChatGPT models that use website content, documents, or any other data source to facilitate personal interaction. It supports over 80 languages, breaking down the borders for communication, and can be embedded as a website widget for interaction. Some APIs include Slack, WhatsApp, and Messenger. They offer a range of communication channels without boundaries. Users can customize their tone, customize responses, track interactions with more detailed analytics, and get answers.
Pros
Quick set up under 10 minutes
Multi channel integration
Real-time insights to refine chatbot performance
Cons
Limited support for complex chatbot flows
Custom dashboards require manual efforts
Pricing
Plan
Pricing
Hobby
$40/month
Standard
$150/month
Pro
$500/month
AIVA
WEBSITE
www.aiva.ai
Rating
4.6
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
AI-powered music composition, especially for classical and cinematic pieces
AIVA – Best AI Tools to Help You Make Money Online
AIVA – a powerful AI tool replicating the human experience while performing task automation, enhancing productivity, or creating content for different businesses, marketers, or freelancers. It automates many activities that would require human effort to perform, such as scheduling, managing emails, or updating multiple social media accounts, by advanced NLP humanized conversations. Produces high-quality blogs, social media posts, ad copy, eBooks, as well as SEO articles; it creates marketing-content such as email sequences and landing pages; the tool also generates realistic voice-overs, transcription services, and AI-designed graphics for branding purposes. Multilingual, with over 80 languages supported and purely online without download, a completely versatile tool for content creation, automation, and global engagement.
Pros
Supports marketing, content creation, and design
User-friendly interface
24/7 support available
Cons
Not ideal for high technical or niche tasks
Advanced features not as robust as competitors
Pricing
Plan
Pricing
Standard
$16.26/month
Pro
$53.11/month
Semrush
WEBSITE
www.semrush.com
Rating
4.7
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
SEO, keyword research, competitor analysis, and digital marketing strategies
SEMrush – Best AI Tools to Help You Make Money Online
Semrush, on one hand, is an effective and highly regarded tool for digital marketing and search engine optimization, while on the other, it helps to optimize their online presence, improve search rankings, and generate organic traffic for business and individual users. It provides keyword research for identifying low-competition terms, competitor analysis for fine-tuning strategies, and site audits to improve webpage health. Through backlink analysis, users are kept in the loop on the project and strengthened in their link-building efforts; with the help of a content marketing toolkit, the optimization of content using performance data is achieved. Semrush provides tools for managing PPC campaigns, social media management for scheduling and analytics, and historical data for strategic planning. With this array of features, Semrush is indeed an indispensable tool for digital marketers and website owners who are set for growth.
Pros
Scalable for freelancers, small businesses, and large enterprises
Actionable insights for organic traffic and revenue generation
Integrations with platforms like Looker Studio
Cons
Steep learning curve for beginners
Limited functionality in the pro plan
Pricing
Plan
Pricing
Pro
$139.95/month
Guru
$249.95/month
Business
$499.95/month
ThirstyAffiliates
WEBSITE
www.thirstyaffiliates.com
Rating
4.6
Free Trial
No
Best For
Affiliate link management, cloaking, and tracking for WordPress users
ThirstyAffiliates – Best AI Tools to Help You Make Money Online
ThirstyAffiliates is a WordPress plugin that streamlines affiliate marketing by managing, cloaking, and tracking affiliate links efficiently. It enhances monetization by converting long URLs into branded links and automatically linking keywords to affiliate URLs site-wide. With advanced reporting, users can track clicks, conversions, and revenue while geo-targeting redirects visitors to region-specific affiliate links for higher conversions. The 404 link checker prevents revenue loss by identifying broken links, and CSV import/export simplifies link management across multiple sites. Integration with Amazon’s API allows seamless product link imports, while Google Analytics syncing provides deeper insights into affiliate performance, making it a powerful tool for affiliate marketers.
Pros
User-friendly for beginners
Improves SEO with clean URLs and keyword linking
Saves time through automation
Cons
Geo-targeting, detailed reporting only in the pro version
Pricing may be higher for a small-time freelancer
Pricing
Plan
Pricing
Basic
$99.60/year
Plus
$149.60/year
Advanced
$199.60/year
WPTurbo
WEBSITE
www.wpturbo.dev
Rating
4.5
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
AI-powered WordPress code generation, including custom post types, taxonomies, and shortcodes
WPTurbo – Best AI Tools to Help You Make Money Online
WPTurbo is a tool that uses AI to minimize WordPress development by efficiently creating custom code snippets, plugins, and themes. The feature 40 AI code generators for jobs, such as post types, taxonomies, shortcodes, and hooks those enable developers to create quality work with less. Users can easily store private snippets securely, create complete plugins and themes from boilerplate code, and manage future project use. WPTurbo easily integrates with all other popular WordPress plugins and themes while offering adjustments with function names, text domains, and child theme support. The refactoring code feature detects bugs and improves the existing source code, which proves essential for all those developers wanting to monetize their WordPress projects.
Pros
Reduces plugin overload
Offers a high level of customization
Affordable pricing plans
Cons
Free requests limited to 25 requests per day
Integrations only available on pro versions
Pricing
Plan
Pricing
Monthly
$9/month
Yearly
$90/year
Conclusion
Although AI tools are very helpful in online monetization, they help in automating tedious activities, increasing productivity, and creating new monetization opportunities. Automated tasks and processes include content creation, affiliate marketing, graphic designing, e-commerce activities, SEO, video production, and web development, all of which enable the user to scale fast. These tools save time, reduce costs, and allow different projects to run simultaneously with the least effort required. Quality control, pricing models, and legal issues still hold concerns in this regard. AI tools might not just take you there, but with a proper strategy and execution, they help freelancers and businesses maximize their earning potential.
FAQs
What are AI tools for making money online?
Some of the tools are
Jasper AI
Canva
Writesonic
HoppyCopy
Synthesia
Chatbase
AIVA
Semrush
What types of online income generation can AI assist with?
AI can help with various avenues, including freelance writing and content creation, social media management, e-commerce product descriptions, SEO optimization, stock market analysis, and even creating and selling AI art.
In an exclusive interaction with StartupTalky, Prashant Singh, COO and Co-founder of LeadSquared, discusses the company’s journey from its early days as a marketing platform to becoming a new-age SaaS CRM platform. He shares insights into building a high-growth SaaS venture, LeadSquared’s journey to becoming a unicorn in India, and its expansion across key sectors like BFSI, EdTech, and healthcare. Singh also talks about the company’s focus on AI integration, global expansion plans, and IPO readiness. He further reflects on hiring strategies, customer retention efforts, and how his passion for endurance sports influences his leadership approach.
StartupTalky: What was the vision behind starting LeadSquared, and how has it evolved over the years?
Mr. Singh: LeadSquared was founded with the vision of helping businesses streamline marketing, sales, and customer engagement. From 2011 to 2015, we built a marketing platform enabling marketers to engage and nurture leads before passing them to sales. However, gaps in lead handling impacted conversions, prompting us to expand into lead and sales management, which gained strong traction, particularly in education and EdTech. We further launched our automation platform and mobile app.
Between 2019 and 2024, we entered the US and Middle East markets while also becoming the preferred solution for high-growth BFSI organisations in India, spanning securities, broking, and insurance. This expansion, coupled with Series B and C funding in 2021 and 2022, fueled rapid growth and marked our entry into the unicorn club.
Today, we continue expanding across BFSI, education, healthcare, digital natives, and manufacturing, offering end-to-end solutions for the entire customer lifecycle, whether through application journeys, LOS in lending, or Service CRM for customer experience. Our solutions thrive in high-volume, high-velocity sales environments, with India and the US as our primary markets.
StartupTalky: How does LeadSquared differentiate itself from its competitors in CRM and the marketing automation space?
Mr. Singh: Unlike traditional CRMs, LeadSquared is a vertical-focused sales execution and CX platform designed to enhance revenue operations. Our differentiation lies in our ability to provide industry-specific solutions that address the unique sales and engagement challenges of different sectors while maintaining customer-centricity.
For example, in BFSI, we offer solutions such as Lending Cloud and Loan Origination Systems (LOS) that digitise the entire customer journey. In education, we optimise student enrollment journeys by automating admissions and engagement. Similarly, in healthcare, we enhance patient acquisition and retention through personalised outreach and automated follow-ups.
StartupTalky: With a target of profitability by FY26 and IPO readiness, what key steps are you taking to drive growth?
Mr. Singh: Our path to profitability and IPO readiness revolves around three key pillars: market expansion, product innovation, and operational efficiency. We are doubling down on our presence in high-growth international markets, particularly in the US, where our solutions have gained strong traction in the Education and Healthcare sectors. We continue to strengthen our vertical-centric capabilities by refining products for BFSI, healthcare, education, and digital-native businesses.
We plan to optimise expenditure, particularly cloud costs, which constitute a significant portion of our outlays. Simultaneously, we are investing in core products like lead management and help desk solutions, alongside integrating AI capabilities.
Our recent funding rounds have enabled us to scale strategically, and we are committed to building a resilient, scalable business that is well-positioned for long-term growth.
StartupTalky: How is LeadSquared utilising AI and automation to enhance its product offerings?
Mr. Singh: At LeadSquared, we have integrated AI into our product ecosystem. The core areas where we see demand and acceptance are predicting the purchasing potential of a prospect. This is a fundamental and complex problem impacting the top and bottom line for our customers, and we are running multiple early-stage projects in this direction.
Another impactful area where AI is improving our platform is in customer interactions and support. Our AI-powered Knowledge Base Bot can automatically respond to customer queries by pulling relevant information from a trained knowledge base, reducing interaction load by up to 60%. Other features like Ticket Summarization analyse conversations to tag issues, detect sentiment, and recommend next actions.
For internal teams, our in-house AI assistant provides prompt assistance with various inquiries related to our products and services, ensuring efficient internal team support.
StartupTalky: What have been the biggest challenges and opportunities in expanding LeadSquared across industries like EdTech and BFSI?
Mr. Singh: Expanding into sectors like EdTech and BFSI has been both rewarding and challenging. One of the primary challenges has been navigating the regulatory landscape, especially in BFSI, where compliance and security are critical. In EdTech, scaling platforms to support high user volumes has been a key challenge.
However, these challenges have also presented significant opportunities. In EdTech, we have helped in end-to-end student journeys on a single platform. Similarly, in BFSI, we have played a crucial role in accelerating loan disbursements and improving customer onboarding with our Loan Origination System.
The growing need for efficiency and customer engagement in these sectors has fueled our expansion, allowing us to become a preferred solution provider in high-growth industries.
StartupTalky: How has the recent funding shaped LeadSquared’s growth plans and long-term vision?
Mr. Singh: We have strategically invested in expanding our product portfolio, strengthening vertical-centric product capabilities and scaling our presence in key international markets like the US. It has also enabled us to enhance our AI and automation capabilities, ensuring that we continue to deliver cutting-edge solutions to our customers.
Additionally, we are using this capital to expand our sales and support teams, improve our go-to-market strategy, and drive customer success initiatives. With a long-term vision of becoming the leading sales execution and CX platform globally, we are leveraging these investments to scale sustainably while keeping profitability in focus.
StartupTalky: What markets are you focusing on for global expansion, and what hurdles have you had to overcome?
Mr. Singh: We have identified the US, the Middle East, Australia, and Southeast Asia as key markets for global expansion, as they align well with our focus industries, which include education and healthcare.
The primary hurdles in global expansion include navigating regulatory requirements, adapting to market-specific customer behaviors, and establishing brand credibility in new geographies. To address these challenges, we have localised our offerings and strengthened our on-ground sales and support teams. This approach has helped us scale sustainably in international markets.
StartupTalky: How do you approach hiring and retaining top talent in India’s competitive SaaS ecosystem?
Mr. Singh: Talent acquisition and retention are critical to our success, especially in India’s highly competitive SaaS landscape. We prioritise hiring individuals who align with our culture of innovation and customer-centricity.
We offer an environment where tech professionals and problem-solvers can tackle complex challenges to make a meaningful impact. The nature of our work provides continuous opportunities for engineers and innovators to push boundaries and solve real-world industry problems, making it an exciting and fulfilling space to grow.
Our leadership is committed to maintaining transparency, recognising contributions, and providing employees with the resources they need to succeed. By building a strong employer brand and a culture of ownership, we have been able to attract and retain some of the best minds in the SaaS industry.
StartupTalky: What initiatives are in place to enhance customer success and retention at LeadSquared?
Mr. Singh: We have always been customer-obsessed, with a strong commitment to delighting our customers and serving as a true partner in their growth. Beyond our scalable SaaS platform, we also provide unmatched reliability and support, ensuring long-term success for our clients.
LeadSquared has evolved into a no-code platform so our customers can configure and use our solutions without dependency and without having to code. Our automation-first approach, native mobile apps, and AI-driven decision-making set us apart from generic CRMs, allowing businesses to drive efficiency, reduce lead leakage, and maximise conversions.
StartupTalky: You are a seasoned entrepreneur and a marathon runner. How has your experience in endurance sports influenced your leadership style and decision-making at LeadSquared?
Mr. Singh: Running for me is about consistency and perseverance. In building LeadSquared, this translated to focusing on sustainable growth rather than chasing quick wins.
Endurance sports instil mental toughness that’s invaluable in entrepreneurship. There are moments in both running and business when giving up seems like the rational choice. Whether it’s the final few kilometres of a marathon or year three of a startup facing market challenges, the ability to push through discomfort has been crucial.
Axar Patel, renowned for his stellar cricket performances, has become a sought-after figure for brand endorsements, reflecting his growing influence and marketability. But beyond his cricketing prowess, Patel has also emerged as a favorite among brands looking to associate with an athlete who represents consistency, reliability, and adaptability.
As his star continues to rise, companies from various industries are rushing to sign him as their brand ambassador. So, what makes Axar the go-to choice for endorsements? Is it his consistency under pressure? His relatable charm? Or his ability to adapt, whether it’s switching formats or effortlessly promoting a brand?
Let’s take a closer look at Axar Patel’s top brand collaborations and why companies are racing to have him as their ambassador.
Why Brands Are Choosing Axar Patel?
Axar Patel’s growing popularity and calm demeanor make him an ideal brand ambassador. His image as a dependable performer, both in high-pressure matches and crucial situations, mirrors the values that brands wish to embody. Whether it’s a sporting brand looking for credibility or a tech company seeking a face that resonates with the younger audience, Axar ticks all the right boxes.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the exciting brand endorsements Axar Patel has secured.
In February 2025, Axar Patel joined FitFeast, a burgeoning name in the protein foods sector, as both an investor and brand ambassador. This partnership aims to revolutionize the protein industry by promoting healthier eating habits. Axar’s commitment to fitness and wellness aligns seamlessly with FitFeast’s mission to make healthy eating accessible and enjoyable.
Wybor
Wybor – Axar Patel Brand Endorsements
In October 2024, consumer electronics brand Wybor appointed Axar Patel as its brand ambassador. Established in 2017, Wybor offers a range of products, including Google QLED TVs, inverter split air conditioners, washing machines, air coolers, and smartwatches. Axar’s dedication and versatility resonate with Wybor’s commitment to innovation and quality.
JSW Sports
JSW Sports – Axar Patel Brand Endorsements
JSW Sports, one of India’s premier sports management companies, has added Axar Patel to its roster of endorsed athletes. This collaboration is a testament to Patel’s rising stature in the cricketing world. JSW Sports has been instrumental in nurturing and managing top sporting talent in India, and Axar’s association with them highlights his growing prominence in the industry. Through this partnership, he gains access to top-tier sports management expertise, further enhancing his career trajectory.
Cricuru
Cricuru – Axar Patel Brand Endorsements
Axar Patel has also joined hands with Cricuru, an innovative online cricket coaching platform that aims to revolutionize the way aspiring cricketers learn the sport. His involvement with Cricuru underscores his commitment to mentoring young talent and sharing his expertise with the next generation. The platform, co-founded by legendary cricketer Virender Sehwag, leverages cutting-edge technology to provide personalized training modules, making Patel’s presence even more impactful.
GamToss
GamToss – Axar Patel Brand Endorsements
Gaming and sports merchandise brand GamToss has roped in Axar Patel as one of its prominent endorsers. With a growing esports and fantasy sports culture in India, this partnership reflects Patel’s connection with both traditional sports lovers and the gaming community. His association with GamToss further strengthens the bridge between mainstream cricket and the digital sports landscape, appealing to a younger, tech-savvy audience.
Calctron Power
Calctron Power – Axar Patel Brand Endorsements
In mid-2024, Calctron Power LLP, a leading Indian manufacturer of batteries and inverters, announced Indian cricketer Axar Patel as their brand ambassador. This strategic partnership aims to enhance Calctron’s brand visibility and connect with a broader audience, leveraging Patel’s popularity and credibility in the sports arena.
In addition to the television campaign, Calctron utilized social media platforms to engage with its audience. For instance, during the New Year celebrations in early 2025, the company shared a video message from Axar Patel extending heartfelt wishes to customers and partners, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to positivity and energy in the coming year.
Apollo
Apollo – Axar Patel Brand Endorsements
The healthcare industry is another sector that has recognized Axar Patel’s influence, as seen in his partnership with Apollo. One of India’s most trusted healthcare brands, Apollo has been at the forefront of medical excellence and wellness advocacy. Axar’s collaboration with the brand aligns perfectly with his image as a disciplined athlete who prioritizes fitness and overall well-being. This endorsement conveys a powerful message to fans about the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Hestur Energy
Hestur Energy – Axar Patel Brand Endorsements
In December 2024, Indian cricket all-rounder Axar Patel was announced as the official brand ambassador for Hestur Energy, an emerging player in the electric vehicle (EV) sector. This collaboration signifies a fusion of athletic excellence and innovative EV technology, aiming to promote sustainable transportation solutions.
The announcement of this partnership was met with enthusiasm, highlighting the shared values of innovation and environmental consciousness between Axar Patel and Hestur Energy.
Axar Patel has extended his endorsement portfolio into the personal care industry by partnering with Fixderma, a leading dermatology brand known for its advanced skincare solutions. This collaboration highlights Patel’s commitment to health and wellness, not just in terms of fitness but also in maintaining overall skin health—an essential aspect for athletes exposed to harsh outdoor conditions.
As a professional cricketer, Axar spends long hours under the sun, facing intense heat and UV exposure during matches and training sessions. His association with Fixderma emphasizes the importance of sun protection, skincare, and self-care for athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike. Through this partnership, Patel advocates for maintaining healthy skin despite the rigorous demands of outdoor sports.
Nothing Phone
Nothing Phone – Axar Patel Brand Endorsements
In June 2024, Axar Patel endorsed Nothing Phone, a rapidly emerging consumer electronics brand known for its sleek design and innovative technology. His collaboration with Nothing Phone signifies his foray into the world of tech endorsements, positioning him as a forward-thinking personality who appreciates cutting-edge gadgets. As smartphones continue to play a crucial role in everyday life, Patel’s association with a brand like Nothing adds to its appeal among young, tech-savvy consumers.
Vision11
Vision11 –
Axar Patel, one of India’s premier all-rounders, has added another exciting partnership to his growing list of endorsements by collaborating with Vision11Official, a rapidly emerging fantasy sports platform. This association highlights Patel’s strong connection with the digital sports ecosystem, where fantasy cricket has become a significant part of fan engagement.
With this endorsement, Axar Patel continues to expand his influence beyond the cricket field, making a significant mark in the digital sports industry. His involvement with Vision11Official reaffirms the growing importance of fantasy sports in India, offering fans an interactive and engaging way to stay connected with the game they love.
Axar Patel has joined hands with Rario, a pioneering cricket-based NFT platform, to offer fans a unique and immersive digital experience. This collaboration marks an exciting fusion of cricket and blockchain technology, allowing fans to own exclusive digital collectibles featuring Patel’s iconic moments, achievements, and highlights from his career.
With Axar Patel becoming a part of Rario’s expanding list of star players, this collaboration reflects his growing influence beyond the cricket field and into the future of digital sports collectibles. For fans, it’s an incredible opportunity to own a piece of his cricketing journey in a way that was never possible before.
Axar Patel’s partnership with CoinSwitch is more than just another endorsement because it represents a growing trend where athletes use their platform to promote financial awareness.
With cryptocurrency gaining traction in India, this collaboration is set to play a role in shaping how young investors perceive and engage with digital assets. Given the volatile nature of crypto markets, Axar’s involvement serves as a reminder that just like cricket, investing requires patience, strategy, and continuous learning.
Conclusion
Axar Patel’s rise from a promising cricketer to a dominant force in brand endorsements is truly inspiring. His ability to stay composed under pressure, deliver consistent performances, and connect with audiences makes him a natural choice for brands seeking authenticity and reliability.
Whether he’s spinning magic on the pitch or captivating audiences through advertisements, one thing is clear Axar Patel’s influence extends well beyond cricket. As his career flourishes, his endorsement portfolio is set to grow, solidifying his position as one of the most influential names in Indian sports marketing.
In the fast-evolving world of B2B commerce, where digital transformation and supply chain innovation are reshaping industries, Rahul Garg stands as a pioneering force. As the founder and CEO of Moglix, Garg has redefined industrial procurement in India and beyond, turning the company into a billion-dollar enterprise. With a major focus on technology-driven solutions, strategic partnerships, and global expansion, Garg’s leadership has positioned Moglix as a key player in B2B e-commerce.
But what truly sets Rahul apart is his deep-rooted passion for digitization and automation, which has driven Moglix to become the backbone of the industrial sector in the modern era.
His mission goes beyond just business growth as Rahul envisions a new industrial revolution led by digital-first solutions, where procurement, financing, and supply chain management are perfectly integrated into one pivotal ecosystem.
Rahul Garg – Biography
Name
Rahul Garg
Born
Faridabad, Haryana, India Profession
Nationality
Indian
Profession
Founder & CEO of Moglix
Rahul Garg – Early Life and Education
Born and raised in Faridabad, Haryana, Rahul Garg grew up in an environment that blended academic excellence with business experience. His father, S.K. Garg, was a top executive at C&S Electric, and his upbringing exposed him early on to the workings of industrial supply chains. Meanwhile, his mother provided the warmth of a nurturing home, shaping his values of perseverance and ambition.
From a young age, Rahul was not just a brilliant student but also a leader. Rahul Garg holds a Bachelor’s degree in Technology from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur and an MBA from the Indian School of Business (ISB).
His academic prowess, combined with his early career stints at Google and GroupM, laid the foundation for his entrepreneurial journey. Garg’s ability to blend technology with commerce has been instrumental in Moglix’s success, making him a standout leader in India’s B2B ecosystem.
Rahul Garg – From Google to Entrepreneurship
Before stepping into the entrepreneurial arena, Rahul Garg carved an impressive career in the corporate world, making his mark at Google Asia. For five years, he was at the core of Google’s advertising and digital transformation strategies, playing a pivotal role in shaping the Advertising Exchange (AdX), a cutting-edge platform that revolutionized the way digital ads were bought and sold.
His influence extended across key international markets, leading AdX operations in India, Southeast Asia, and Korea. With his sharp analytical skills and strategic vision, Rahul identified opportunities to scale digital advertising, helping Google expand its dominance in emerging economies. Later, as Head of Sales Strategy and Operations for Mobile, Media & Platforms, he worked on data-driven decision-making, AI-powered ad targeting, and revenue optimization models.
Rahul Garg – The Birth of Moglix
When Rahul Garg founded Moglix in 2015, he wasn’t just building another e-commerce company; he was on a mission to modernize and revolutionize India’s industrial supply chain. The vision was bold: to bring the speed, transparency, and efficiency of digital marketplaces to an industry still burdened by outdated procurement systems, fragmented supply chains, and inefficiencies.
Laying the Foundation – The Early Days (2015-2018)
Rahul started Moglix with a simple but powerful idea—to simplify the procurement of industrial goods. Manufacturing companies often struggle with sourcing raw materials, maintaining supplier relationships, and managing supply chain logistics. Unlike the streamlined B2C e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart, B2B procurement was highly disorganized, opaque, and slow.
Moglix launched as a one-stop digital procurement platform, offering businesses easy access to a vast range of industrial tools, safety equipment, MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Operations) supplies, and electrical goods. The goal was to create a tech-enabled ecosystem that connected manufacturers, suppliers, and buyers seamlessly.
By 2018, Moglix had:
Built a catalog of over 100,000 SKUs
Established partnerships with large enterprises like Tata Steel, L&T, and Vedanta
Expanded its warehouse and logistics network across 10+ cities in India
Secured Series B funding from investors, signaling strong market confidence
Scaling Up – Disrupting the Manufacturing Supply Chain (2019-2021)
As Moglix gained traction, Rahul doubled down on scaling the platform, investing in technology, AI-driven supply chain solutions, and financing services. The company introduced:
Moglix SaaS Solutions – A software suite to help businesses automate procurement and inventory management.
Credit & Financing Services – Offering working capital solutions to MSMEs and manufacturers, addressing the cash flow crunch.
Global Sourcing – Expanding procurement operations to help companies source materials from international markets efficiently.
By 2021, Moglix had:
Raised $120 million in Series E funding, pushing its valuation past $1 billion and achieving unicorn status.
Its warehousing operations span 25+ locations across India.
Onboarded 500+ global enterprises and 16,000+ SME suppliers.
But the biggest shift came with the COVID-19 pandemic. While businesses struggled to navigate supply chain disruptions, Moglix stepped up, playing a crucial role in:
Delivering PPE kits and medical equipment across industries during the health care crisis.
Helping manufacturers pivot to pandemic-related production, ensuring supply chains remained operational.
Becoming a Global Powerhouse – Expansion Beyond India (2022-Present)
After solidifying its position in India, Moglix set its sights on global expansion. The company ventured into the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the United States, launching:
Zoglix (2023) – A U.S.-based subsidiary focused on supply chain digitization, global sourcing, and procurement automation.
Moglix Middle East (2024) – Expanding services into the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, catering to oil & gas, infrastructure, and heavy industries.
In 2025, Moglix stands as a $2.6 billion powerhouse, backed by investors like Tiger Global, Sequoia Capital, and Accel Partners. It has transformed into an end-to-end B2B supply chain solutions provider, integrating:
What started as an ambitious startup quickly turned into a B2B powerhouse. By 2022, Moglix raised $250 million in a Series F funding round, pushing its valuation to $2.6 billion. This not only solidified its unicorn status but also fueled rapid international expansion.
Middle East: Moglix entered the UAE and Saudi Arabia, capitalizing on booming industrial markets.
United States: The launch of Zoglix, a subsidiary of Moglix, expanded its footprint further, focusing on custom manufacturing, sourcing, credit financing, and SaaS-based procurement.
With these strategic moves, Moglix is well on its way to becoming a global leader in industrial supply chain technology, making Rahul Garg one of the most influential figures in modern B2B commerce.
Rahul Garg – Philanthropic Initiatives
Rahul’s vision extends far beyond just business success. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, he established the Mogli Foundation, focusing on health, environment, and science. The foundation aims to impact over 100 million lives by 2030, fostering innovation and executing on-ground initiatives in collaboration with organizations like ACT and Give India.
But it’s not just about large-scale impact, Rahul ensures that Moglix employees actively participate, encouraging them to contribute their time and expertise to drive meaningful change.
Rahul Garg – Awards and Recognition
Rahul’s relentless pursuit of excellence has not gone unnoticed. Over the years, he has garnered numerous accolades, including:
Fortune’s 40 Under 40 (2018)
Business World Young Entrepreneur Award (2018)
Entrepreneur of the Year – Entrepreneur India Congress & Awards (2019)
Rahul Garg – Interesting Facts
Investing in the Future – Under Rahul’s leadership, Moglix acquired ADI Infra, a key infrastructure solutions company, and launched Credlix, a fintech arm focused on supply chain financing, disbursing over $100 million to SMEs.
A Visionary for India’s $1 Trillion Manufacturing Dream – Rahul believes Moglix will play a crucial role in making India a $1 trillion manufacturing hub, by digitizing procurement and strengthening supply chain efficiency.
Inspired by The Jungle Book – The name Moglix comes from Mowgli, the agile and resourceful protagonist of The Jungle Book, symbolizing the company’s ability to navigate complex industrial procurement challenges.
Rahul Garg is the founder and CEO of Moglix, a leading B2B e-commerce platform for industrial goods.
What is Rahul Garg’s educational background?
Rahul Garg is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur. He also holds an MBA from ISB.
What is Moglix?
Moglix is a B2B e-commerce platform focused on transforming the procurement of industrial supplies, tools, and MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) products.
In a world where new ideas are constantly emerging, the consumer goods industry is always evolving. dreamDO was born from a simple yet powerful idea, to help people turn their product dreams into reality. The company enables creators to earn royalties while ensuring that products remain affordable and of high quality.
By removing barriers and streamlining the process to market, dreamDO is working to make a real impact. In this article, explore the story behind dreamDO, its founders, its journey, the challenges it is overcoming, and more.
dreamDO – Company Highlights
Company Name
dreamDO
Headquarters
Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Sector
Retail, Product Innovation
Founder
Sidharth Dugar, Aryan Barnwal, Sneha Borkar
Founded
2024
Website
dreamdo.one
dreamDO – About
The dreamDO project is a platform that aims to transform product ideas from individuals into innovative and useful products, managing everything from development to sales to after-sales. It seeks to empower people by bringing their ideas to life for the world through a seamless process, enabling them to earn royalties on sales.
dreamDO – Industry
dreamDO Market Size
DreamDO operates within the consumer goods and product innovation industry, focusing on transforming individual product ideas into tangible, market-ready products. It has identified the industry and target market size for each product umbrella by researching publicly available data from trusted sources such as industry reports, market research publications, and business insights platforms. The company focused on markets like metals, bamboo, recycled plastics, ceramics, clay, plastics, packaged foods, and clothing, particularly examining their applications in consumer goods across India, Asia, and Europe. These are the markets dreamDO is initially targeting.
dreamDO – Founder and Team
Sidharth Dugar is the founder of dreamDO, with Aryan and Sneha serving as co-founders.
Sidharth first met Sneha in 2020 while working at Randstad. From the very first day of orientation, they became friends. When Sidharth spoke to her about dreamDO in June 2024, she was immediately intrigued and showed keen interest in joining the project. Recognising her strong skills, insights, and expertise, Sidharth brought her on board as his first co-founder.
Sidharth and Aryan met by chance at a café in Hyderabad. Sidharth was looking for a charging socket, and the only one available was near Aryan’s table. What started as a casual encounter turned into a long conversation about various topics. A few weeks later, during a meeting with Sneha, Sidharth invited Aryan to join them and share his insights. They were so impressed by his understanding of the project that they offered him the role of co-founder on the spot.
Aryan Barnwal, Co-Founder, Sidharth Dugar, Founder, and Sneha Borkar, Co-Founder (left to right)
Sidharth Dugar, Founder and CEO
Sidharth has over 6 years of experience at Amazon in multiple roles and 2.5 years at Randstad in Talent Acquisition for multiple clients. Additionally, he has managed family businesses. As the CEO, Sidharth manages overall operations.
Sneha Borkar, Co-founder
Sneha is a post-graduate with over 5 years of experience in hiring and customer support at Randstad and over 1 year at Amazon. She has excellent communication skills and is a great team player. Sneha currently leads marketing strategies and HR.
Aryan Barnwal, Co-founder
Aryan has a strong background in AI, Data Science, and Marketing, with an internship experience at Dell Technologies. Aryan focuses on research and communication at dreamDO.
Together with three interns, the team of six works remotely from Hyderabad, Navi Mumbai, Jaipur, and Delhi. They are committed to building a unique and exceptional work environment at dreamDO, one that values flexibility and a broad perspective.
dreamDO – Startup Story
The idea for this startup came to Sidharth towards the end of 2023. One day, while walking past a store called China Bazar, he decided to step inside. As he looked around, he noticed many products, mostly made of low-quality plastic. Surprisingly, they weren’t even priced cheaply. Many of them were, as expected, made in China.
As he walked back home, a flood of questions ran through his mind: “Do people really need all these products? Why do they spend money on such poor quality? Maybe they don’t have better alternatives at similar prices. What if we asked people what products they actually want?”
That’s when the idea struck him—to create a startup that solves these problems. A startup focused on improving products available in the market, empowering local manufacturing in India, upskilling people, and bringing new product ideas to life.
By June 2024, thanks to his induction in Buildspace, the idea of dreamDO started taking shape. The first people he shared it with were his immediate family and close friends—Sneha was one of them. Everyone loved it!
Sneha, with her sharp insights and business acumen, even expressed interest in joining him. Recognising the value of her expertise and thought process, Sidharth immediately brought her on board as his first co-founder.
At dreamDO, the team is building a global, open community where AI and real people come together to vote for, validate, and even pre-order the products they want to see in the market. However, building such a community takes time. For now, dreamDO is actively researching and validating ideas through online forums and in-person conversations, following a structured validation process.
dreamDO – Mission and Vision
In a world full of ideas, too many remain just that, ideas. The gap between a thought and its creation is often filled with obstacles, such as lack of resources, manufacturing complexities, or market uncertainty.
dreamDO is here to bridge those gaps.
Every product begins with someone thinking differently. The dreamDO team is working tirelessly to ensure that the next great idea becomes a reality. When an idea succeeds, communities thrive, problems are solved, and the world improves, one innovation at a time. Together, a difference can be made.
dreamDO – Name and Logo
dreamDO Logo
Most people only dream of turning their ideas into reality. The name dreamDO was chosen to remind them that the company is here to make it happen, here to work on their dream product ideas. The company helps bring product ideas to life while ensuring that creators are rewarded through endless royalties.
dreamDO – Products/Services
The first thing to know about dreamDO is that it is sector agnostic. While the company currently focuses on three specific categories, it plans to expand into more areas soon. However, dreamDO strictly avoids any ideas that harm the environment or negatively impact health.
The first product, a thoughtfully designed, multi-use smart ceramic bowl, is set to launch in April 2025. Without any promotions, several pre-orders have already been received, which is a great sign. But this is just the beginning. The company aims to launch a diverse range of products across multiple categories, reaching customers worldwide.
The overall process to submit ideas and proceed is quite simple:
Fill out the form through the website or application.
Wait for a period of 1-2 weeks.
If the idea is accepted, dreamDO will reach out to the idea sender.
A legally bound offer of royalty is made to the idea sender after a prototype check.
The concept is sent for production.
The USPs of dreamDO include:
Step-wise global presence
Complete solution from prototype to sales
Human-AI driven idea selection
Democratic – products by people, for people
Omni-channel retailing
Prime focus on environment, innovation, and quality
The dreamDO team is working hard to solve problems such as:
Many individuals have bright ideas but lack the resources to bring them to life, resulting in many important ideas going to waste every year.
The high price of good-quality products.
The high influx of products from China and Hong Kong, while a significant portion of India’s production potential, remains untapped.
Lack of uniformity and vast differences in product availability between countries.
dreamDO is a D2C organisation that aims to reward people with royalties for their selected ideas. The main goal is to keep costs low while delivering high-quality products to customers. By cutting out the middlemen, dreamDO ensures that customers receive great products directly. At dreamDO, the focus is not on burning cash on freebies but on providing excellent quality at pocket-friendly prices.
dreamDO – Launching Company Strategies
The dreamDO project was built through participation in Buildspace and soft-launched on X. It started with very limited funds, which made customer acquisition and other operational aspects slow. However, the support and love from people have been incredible.
dreamDO’s idea validation rate is over 99.5%, showing strong interest in what is being built. With the first product slated to launch in April, dreamDO expects more people to discover the company. While official pre-orders will be launching soon, there is already a good number of early takers.
dreamDO – Challenges Faced
Securing the first investment for the startup has been challenging, and while dreamDO hasn’t fully overcome it yet, the company is on the verge of raising funds.
In addition, hiring was initially a bit difficult, but dreamDO is grateful to Aryan and Sneha for bringing amazing talent to the team.
dreamDO- Recognition and Achievements
dreamDO been recognised by the Startup India Program.
dreamDO – Competitors
Some of the dreamDO’s competitors include:
Jokari
Idea buyer
Enventys Partners
Off/Script
dreamDO – Future Plans
The next five years are expected to bring a massive shift in how consumer products are imagined, developed, and brought to market. As consumers increasingly demand more personalised, purpose-driven, and sustainable products, the industry is moving beyond traditional manufacturing and into community-led innovation. dreamDO envisions a future where ideas from everyday people drive the next wave of product creation, powered by platforms capable of designing, prototyping, and scaling rapidly, exactly the space dreamDO has stepped into.
In the next 7-10 years, dreamDO doesn’t just aim to be a product company, it seeks to become a movement. A global engine of co-created products, profit-sharing innovation, and grassroots problem-solving. The company intends to pioneer community-led R&D, enabling the next generation of entrepreneurs to innovate without needing to be engineers or founders.
FAQs
What is dreamDO?
The dreamDO project is a platform that aims to transform product ideas from individuals into innovative and useful products, managing everything from development to sales to after-sales.
Who is the founder of dreamDO?
Sidharth Dugar is the founder of dreamDO, with Aryan Barnwal and Sneha Borkar serving as co-founders.
Remote work is undoubtedly advantageous, whether by transporting employees far away from long daily commutes or by allowing the hiring of top talents across the globe. On the other hand, it raises its share of challenges, from time zone coordination to communication effectiveness and team alignment. If the tools are inappropriate, inefficiencies will kill collaboration and productivity.
To build a successful remote environment, teams need more than just video calls and emails. They need smart remote work platforms that support communication, expedite feedback loops, and accentuate a shared working environment. Flexible working arrangements have been found to increase productivity, job satisfaction, and team cohesion, and therefore, it is an investment worthy of the digital solutions.
Whether it is about improving productivity or making sure that everything is in place for the teams to work together, remote work platforms are essential. The best ones are cost-effective, easy to use, and extremely innovative, with smart features like AI-backed collaboration systems.
Connecting businesses with freelancers for various services like software development, marketing, AI services, design, writing, and more
Upwork – Platforms for Remote Work Success
Upwork is a leading freelance marketplace that connects companies with skilled freelancers across more than 125 industries, making it ideal for both short-term and long-term projects. It simplifies the hiring, collaboration, and payment processes, making remote work more efficient. The platform’s AI-powered talent matching broadens opportunities by tapping into a global pool of freelancers. Seamless collaboration is ensured through built-in communication tools, such as messaging, file-sharing, and video conferencing.
For hourly workers, Upwork’s Time Tracker app and Work Diary track hours and capture automatic screenshots for transparency. Payment transfers are smooth and secure through options like PayPal, ACH, and credit cards. Advanced reporting tools help monitor spending and ensure projects stay on track. With flexible subscription plans that offer unlimited team members and customizable benefits, Upwork is an excellent platform for managing a remote workforce.
Pros
In built tools for time tracking and collaboration
Flexible pricing
Secure payment system
Cons
Customer support is unresponsive
Limited guidance on creating job posts
Pricing
Plan
Pricing
Marketplace
5% service fee
Business Plus
10% service fee
Enterprise
Contact Sales
Freelancer Plus
$20/month
Loom
WEBSITE
www.loom.com
Rating
4.6
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
Video messaging and screen recording for teams and individuals.
Loom – Platforms for Remote Work Success
Loom gives you a powerful video messaging tool for asynchronous communication, with a seamless experience for users to record and share screen or webcam videos. Tutorial videos, presentation videos, and quick update videos are all good reasons to avoid meetings while granting greater collaboration. Depending on the user’s wish, recorded videos can be created from the desktop app, mobile app, or Chrome extension, and these enhancements can include wonderful options for virtual backgrounds and blur effects when recording videos.
AI-powered features include auto-transcription in over 50 languages, scripts, and transcribing video files. With editing tools, users can cut unused portions from transcripts, rewind recordings, and leave time-stamped comments. Other useful integrations with Slack, Jira, Gmail, and Salesforce then help increase workflow efficiency. Loom offers privacy controls, password protection, viewer insights, and unlimited cloud storage (for paid plans), making it a must for any remote team.
Pros
User friendly
AI tools for video creation
Free plan for basic usage
Cons
Privacy concerns
Audio glitches and lag
Pricing
Plan
Pricing
Business
$15/user/month
Business + AI
$20/user/month
Enterprise
Contact Sales
Slack
WEBSITE
www.slack.com
Rating
4.5
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
Team communication and collaboration across various industries.
Slack – Platforms for Remote Work Success
Slack is actually a top collaboration platform that organizes communications and increases productivity for remote teams. Centralized conversations are one of its amazing features; that’s where all conversations are held, integrated into other tools, and of course, it has organized channels for certain topics, projects, or teams, while private channels provide privacy for sensitive talks. Real-time direct messages support one-on-one or group chats, file sharing, and instant notifications. Integrates all your tools like Google Drive, Trello, Asana, Zoom, Salesforce, etc. Automates workflows with Slackbot and its custom apps.
Slack’s searchable message history makes it easy to find past conversations and files. Built-in video-calling and voice-calling will accommodate up to 15 participants with the ability to share screens. Customizable notifications lessen interruptions, while built-in file-sharing becomes more useful in a collaborative endeavor. Workflow Builder can be leveraged to automate repetitive tasks.
Pros
Centralised communicatioin
Scalable for teams of all sizes
Integration options available
Cons
Free plan has limitations
Overuse of channels can be overwhelming
Pricing
Plan
Pricing
Pro
$4.38/user/month
Business+
$15/user/month
Enterprise
Contact Sales
Confluence
WEBSITE
www.atlassian.com
Rating
4.6
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
Team collaboration, documentation, and knowledge management across various organizational functions and industries.
Confluence – Platforms for Remote Work Success
Confluence is an online collaborative workspace that centralizes team output and knowledge sharing, enabling onsite and virtual teams to create, share, and organize space information. Real-time collaboration- simultaneous document editing, in-line commenting, @mentions, and likes allow for added interactions. Whiteboards make a brainstorming experience infinite, coupled with a Jira integration to turn ideas into action points. Organizing and branding will be a breeze with a wide library of already-built, pre-existing templates and customizable themes.
It also has seamless integrations with other Atlassian tools like Jira and Trello while still being flexible with third-party apps like Figma, Google Drive, and Salesforce. AI-powered features: Intelligent editor for creating content, automatic suggestions for accelerated search, and summarization tools for fast reading. The Confluence Mobile application ensures that team members have access to documents and project plans anytime, anywhere.
Project management, team collaboration, and workflow automation for businesses of all sizes
Monday.com – Platforms for Remote Work Success
Monday.com is a work operating system that is flexible and allows remote teams to handle all possible projects, workflows, and communications under one platform. Customizable boards are also offered for dedicated projects or workflow options, complete with ready templates for instant setup. The real-time collaboration lets everyone relay matters in uploads, files, and comments, keeping everything organized. They ensure cross-usage integration with Zoom, Slack, Google Drive, and Trello to automate workflows. Automation of more advanced features reduces manual labor by setting reminders and notifications and updating task statuses.
It allows mobility, providing real access to projects and values added by push notifications for vital updates. They provide custom dashboards for insight on progress, workload, and timelines, compressed time tracking for resource allocation optimization, and budgeting.
Pros
Highly customisable
User-friendly interface
Supports multi-application integration
Cons
Overwhelming with too many features
Pricing can increase as per team size
Pricing
Plan
Pricing
Basic
$9/seat/month
Standard
$12/seat/month
Pro
$19/seat/month
Enterprise
Contact Sales
Toggl
WEBSITE
www.toggl.com
Rating
4.6
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
Time tracking, productivity analysis, and team management for freelancers and businesses
Toggl – Platforms for Remote Work Success
Toggl is a really good system that promotes productivity for remote teams and makes project management easier. Toggl Track is an awesome time-tracking tool, allowing users to log their hours on the web and desktop as well as on mobile apps or using a stopwatch with all its relevant features. It also allows users to export their reports with a single click. Toggl Plan simplifies project management into drag-and-drop scheduling with unlimited timelines, color coding of tasks to be clear for teamwork, and so much more.
Some features of team management include user groups, audits, and scheduled automated email responses, ensuring alignment and secrecy via single sign-on and locked time entries, respectively. Those non-dummy dashboards on the site are nice. The transparent reporting dashboards will thus have one filter for project, team, or date at the reported time entry to give insights into the performance of the team in terms of profit and ROI.
Pros
Highly customisable
User-friendly interface
Supports multi-application integration
Cons
Difficulty in exporting data
No location/geo tracking
Pricing
Plan
Pricing
Starter
$10/user/month
Premium
$20/user/month
Enterprise
Custom pricing
Figma
Figma – Platforms for Remote Work Success
Figma is a modern design-and-collaboration platform equipped with all the features that remote teams require. Real-time collaboration allows many users to work simultaneously on the same design file, along with commenting tools for sending instant feedback. Being cloud-based, Figma is install-free and just as accessible through any devices that bear an internet connection. Version control means that designers keep track of every little change made, going back to an earlier version if ever needed. Prototyping is integrated to allow initial testing of design concepts, while cross-platform capability would allow it to run perfectly straight from a browser or desktop app on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Presentation and viewing modes would make showcasing easy when offline, and changes would sync to the server once back online.
Pros
Seamless collaboration
Beginner friendly
Used by both SMBs and Large enterprises
Cons
Performance issues with large files
Premium plans can be expensive at times
Pricing
Plan
Pricing
Collab Seat (Professional)
$5/month
Dev Seat (Professional)
$15/month
Full Seat (Professional)
$20/month
Collab Seat (Organisation)
$5/month
Dev Seat (Organisation)
$25/month
Full Seat (Organisation)
$55/month
Collab Seat (Enterprise)
$5/month
Dev Seat (Enterprise)
$35/month
Full Seat (Enterprise)
$90/month
Conclusion
The nature of modern workplaces has changed, with remote work replacing old methods and bringing in a new age focused on technology and business needs. SaaS platforms have played a key role in making communication and collaboration easier across distributed teams. AI-powered tools help automate tasks, improve decision-making, and streamline workflows. Hybrid working models combine flexible remote work with in-person collaboration, helping companies hire talent globally without the extra cost of travel. Cloud-based digital workspaces solve infrastructure problems, while secure access solutions, like SSO, make work easier and more efficient. Remote work technologies also focus on employee well-being, leading to better job satisfaction and retention. As these platforms grow, they ensure smooth operations for larger teams.
Which platforms can be used for remote work success?
Platforms which can be used for remote work success:
Upwork
Loom
Slack
Confluence
Monday.com
Toggl
Figma
How can a company choose the right platforms for their remote team?
By assessing their communication, collaboration, and project management needs, and then evaluating platforms based on features, integrations, cost, and user-friendliness.
Freelance businesses will move into more fierce competition in 2025, and more businesses will need remote workers. Freelancing has caught up with the times, requiring the right solutions for time management, productivity improvement, and smart firefighting work. Every section, from writers to designers, developers, and marketers, will benefit from the best digital tools. Freelancers must juggle numerous challenges thrown at them, such as client communications, project management, invoices, and marketing. Without the right support, it could quickly become overwhelming.
To stay productive, organized, and efficient, freelancers need the right mix of platforms for finding work, managing tasks, and handling collaboration, communication, and automation. Whether you are already a seasoned freelancer or just stepping into the industry, using the right resources will enhance your productivity and earnings and, above all, help you stay organized.
From freelance marketplaces like Upwork to project management platforms like Asana and creative assistants like Canva and Grammarly, these tools will help freelancers streamline workflows, manage clients, and increase efficiency. Here’s a list of the best platforms and software every freelancer should consider in 2025.
Upwork – Find Freelance Work Effortlessly
WEBSITE
[www.upwork.com
Rating
4.7
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
Connecting businesses with freelancers for various services like software development, marketing, design, and writing
Upwork – Platforms and Tools for Freelancers
Upwork remains one of the most sought-after platforms for freelancers worldwide, providing a marketplace to connect with clients, set rates, and manage projects. The platform features a Talent Marketplace where freelancers can explore both hourly and fixed-price jobs, submit proposals, and engage with clients. Through the Project Catalog, freelancers can package services with a predetermined scope and price.
Upwork offers very strong payment protection for freelancers – fixed-price projects are pre-funded in escrow, with payments released only after verifiable work completion. For hourly jobs, clients are billed only after the project undergoes rigorous tracking. Freelancers can also offer consultations as subject-matter experts, adding more ways to earn.
Pros
Vast pool of candidates worldwide
Flexibility for freelancers to set the rates
The escrow system ensures timely payment for freelancers
Cons
Premium membership is a bit costly
Some users claim to receive low-paying gigs
Pricing
Plan
Pricing
Marketplace
5% service fee
Business Plus
10% service fee
Enterprise
Contact Sales
Freelancer Plus
$20/month
DocuSign – Secure Digital Signatures & Contracts
WEBSITE
www.docusign.com
Rating
4.8
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
Electronic signatures, document management, and workflow automation for businesses and individuals
DocuSign – Platforms and Tools for Freelancers
DocuSign, which stands for the most major digital signature and automated transaction management platform, simplifies the processes of signing, preparing, and managing documents. Freelancers can securely handle contracts, proposals, and agreements from anywhere. Documents can be signed quickly with drag-and-drop signature fields, reusable templates, and integrated payment collection on higher-tier plans.
The mobile app provides complete signing, mailing, and handling of documents on any systems fully. Apart from these features, there exists an audit trail all through which makes the documents legally compliant, a workflow automation routing that enables document routing, and fluid integration into the cloud through Google Drive, Dropbox, and CRMs.
All-in-one workspace for note-taking, project management, and collaboration for individuals and teams
Notion – Platforms and Tools for Freelancers
The all-in-one productivity tool Notion is a must-have for freelancers who want to note down ideas and manage projects as well as organize databases and collaborate. It arranges tasks using Kanban boards, calendars, and lists while providing a usable database for clients’ information, invoices, and projects. The freelancer writes real-time content, creates the portfolio, and acts on the finance-generated invoices or collected payment reminders.
There are free templates for invoicing, project tracking, and portfolios. Notion can also be integrated into Slack, Google Workspace, Trello, and Dropbox. Offline access provisions for seamless editing and automatic syncing when back online make it a very efficient and organized workflow.
Pros
Integrates multiple tools in one platform
Easy customisation
Seamless collaboration
Cons
Steep learning curve for new users
Performance issues with large databases
Pricing
Plan
Pricing
Plus
$12/seat/month
Business
$18/seat/month
Google Drive – Cloud Storage & Collaboration
WEBSITE
www.drive.google.com
Rating
4.8
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
Cloud storage, file sharing, and collaboration for individuals and businesses
Google Drive – Platforms and Tools for Freelancers
Google Drive lets freelancers store, share, and collaborate on files with built-in Docs, Sheets, and Slides. It integrates itself with Google’s suite of productivity apps- Docs, Sheets, and Slides- so that you can efficiently manage projects or work remotely. Freelancers can store different types of files under this free 15 GB storage and share them with others via email or link with customized permission while allowing collaboration in real-time. Users can collect and edit files anywhere, thanks to cross-device synchronization. One can easily retrieve documents through advanced search using OCR and also access them offline.
Video conferencing, webinars, and team collaboration for businesses and individuals
Zoom – Platforms and Tools for Freelancers
Zoom serves to facilitate their remote collaboration, client meetings, and webinars. This entire process starts with full, high-definition audio and video streaming along with dynamic voice detection. This alone assures clear communication, which every freelancer will need. It would also give freelancers all the tools they need for sharing screens, chatting, annotating, whiteboarding theme concepts, and adding breakout rooms for interactive discussion. Record in local and cloud form for future reference. Logic says that mobile applications for iOS and Android are fully featured, and that means users can connect on the go. Zoom uses standard meetings for an extensive gathering of 300 people. In terms of spaces and figures, they cater to larger audiences with the webinar model.
Pros
User-friendly interface
End-to-end encryption
Easy collaboration
Cons
Unpredictable video and audio quality
Not compatible with browsers
Pricing
Plan
Pricing
Pro
$13.33/user/month
Business
$18.32/user/month
WEBSITE
www.canva.com
Rating
4.7
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
AI-powered graphic design, video editing, and content creation for individuals and teams
Canva – Easy Design for Freelancers
Canva is an application needed for every freelancer and the other professional graphic design tools, which allow anyone to create professional designs even without the know-how of designing. Through a drag-and-drop editor, the user can create designs in no time and access a vast library of ready-made templates to use for social media, presentations, and branding materials. Freelancers can work together in real-time by commenting and editing, making seamless teamwork. Productivity is increased through Magic Write and Magic Resize, AI-powered productivity tools. Brand Kits improve consistency across projects. Cloud storage to 1TB in Pro plans is secure and enables work-ready storage and management for freelancers.
AI-powered project and task management, team collaboration, and workflow automation for businesses of all sizes
Asana – Platforms and Tools for Freelancers
Asana offers a powerful project management application that supports freelancers in organizing their workflow, juggling their tasks, and increasing their productivity. Users really enjoy its user-friendly features, which include multiple views like lists, kanban boards, calendars, timelines, and Gantt charts as perfect tools for managing and organizing tasks. Creating tasks with dependencies, priorities, and deadlines is now as easy as converting an email into a task, and all of these can be called up seamlessly. Automating workflow will eliminate all repeated processes, while the AI insights can be utilized for efficient prioritization of tasks. The visibility layer is enhanced by dashboards with real-time updates, including charts that can be assembled freely.
Pros
Beginner friendly
Automation reduces manual effort
Essential features available on free plan
Cons
Steep learning curve for advanced features
Limited assignee for collaborative tasks
Pricing
Plan
Pricing
Starter
$10.99/month/user
Advanced
$24.99/month/user
Grammarly – AI Writing Assistant
WEBSITE
www.grammarly.com
Rating
4.7
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
AI-powered writing assistance, including grammar checking, tone detection, and generative text suggestions across various platforms
Grammarly – Platforms and Tools for Freelancers
Grammarly is an AI-powered writing assistant that helps freelancers achieve greater clarity, correctness, and engagement in their content. The tool does real-time checks of errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling to ensure flawless writing. Style and clarity suggestions improve sentence structure and word choice. Tone detection analyzes and refines the intent of the writing whether formal or casual. Vocabulary enhancement presents synonyms for richer expression. It also identifies and detects plagiarism by referencing text towards billions of web pages. Generative AI features help in rewriting from the original for better clarity and impact. Integrated perfectly with Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and email clients, Grammarly is an ideal freelancing tool for producing fine-tuned, professional-quality content in record time.
Pros
User friendly
Seamless integration
Easy customisations
Cons
Chances of false positives
Limited offline functionality
Pricing
Plan
Pricing
Pro
$12/member/month
Enterprise
Contact Sales
Slack – Effective Team & Client Communication
WEBSITE
www.slack.com
Rating
4.7
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
Team communication, collaboration, and productivity through channels, direct messaging, and integrations with various tools
Slack – Platforms and Tools for Freelancers
For communication and project management, Slack has been one of the foremost collaboration tools for freelancers in 2025. Dedicated channels can be created for discussions organized by either projects or topics, while direct messaging enables private messaging with clients or team members. Huddles provide audio or video for quick informal meetings with no fuss about scheduling. The Workflow Builder can automate repetitive tasks, while Slack Lists give users an option to assign and track tasks within Slack. With more than 2600 integrations, including Google Drive, Trello, and Asana, workflows are kept in one place. An enhanced search helps to find messages and files in a jiffy.
Pros
User friendly
Seamless integration
Easy customisations
Cons
Volume of messages can be overwhelming
Steep learning curve for advanced features
Pricing
Plan
Pricing
Pro
$4.38/month/user
Business+
$15/month/user
Enterprise Grid
Contact Sales
timeTracko – Time Tracking & Productivity Monitoring
WEBSITE
www.timetracko.com
Rating
4.6
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
AI-powered workforce analytics, real-time employee monitoring, and productivity tracking for remote and hybrid teams
timeTracko is an efficient tool for tracking time and monitoring productivity that has become trendy among freelancers as of 2025. It tracks time automatically, requiring no manual input to keep track of active working hours. Freelancers can manage several projects and get detailed insights into productivity to work around finishing work faster. Optional monitoring via screenshots provides a means of accountability, while invoicing can be integrated to automatically generate invoices based on tracked hours and rates. AI insights are given to suggest better ways of working, and a client portal allows clients to see the real-time status of projects. Key productivity and project management tool for freelancers via its time-tracking mobile app for iOS and Android, with seamless time tracking.
Pros
Accurate time tracking
User-friendly interface
Comprehensive reports
Cons
Privacy issues
Steep learning curve for advanced features
Pricing
timeTracko offers custom pricing; contact them for a quote.
Conclusion
Freelancers in 2025 are fully aware that the main competitors in this industry are efficiency, productivity, and professionalism. There are several tools involved in freelancing—project management, collaboration, and creative content development—while others help with time management. Project management tools assist in better workflow handling, while design and content authoring applications enhance visual and written deliverables. Communication and video conferencing tools ensure smooth client relationships, while cloud storage simplifies document management. Time-tracking tools are handy for freelancers aiming for higher productivity. For any freelancer wishing to survive, the guiding tools must surely fit their own workflow.
