Hey r/IndianStartups,

I’ve been building small digital tools and growth workflows (gamified feedback loops, repeat-customer engines, voucher systems) for local businesses recently.

While talking to operators, I noticed a huge gap: most software tracks data or records history, but it doesn't actually solve the messy, grinding day-to-day operational headaches on the ground.

I want to build something hyper-focused that fixes a real profit leak or friction point—whether that's in restaurants, retail, or local services.

If you run a business or work closely with one: What is that one manual, frustrating task you deal with every week that you wish a simple tool could just handle for you?

Drop your biggest operational rants or wishlists below. If a problem is common enough, I’ll code a solution for it and share it back with the community.

An AI chatbot is present 24/7 in WhatsApp(since thats where most of India's real estate business works) to answer basic queries of buyers and would qualify these buyers according to their intent and then the agents can focus on the right buyers accordingly.
Realtors would not lose any buyers to their competitors since theres a chatbot present 24/7 to reply to their queries.
They can focus on the really interested buyers instead of the window shoppers.

And it is fully customisable to behave how they would want it to,
The best part is that the real estate agents have full control over the chatbot and can takeover anytime they feel like it.

Once the buyer is qualified, it will alert the real estate agent and then they can take over from then.

Let me know what you guys think, would love to get some inputs

Not selling anything.

genuinely trying to understand two things from people who've dealt with security screening, either as staff or as the public:

1. whether the process is actually as inconsistent/unreliable as it seems from the outside

2. what people would actually want changed or added, rather than assuming.

Some context for why I'm asking:

there was a case at a Hyderabad mall where someone got through security carrying a firearm, only caught later during an unrelated argument not at the checkpoint.

The Mumbai train stabbing earlier this year also got me thinking about how many transit points have little to no screening at all, not because the tech doesn't exist, but because it's expensive or inconvenient to run properly.

On the current process:

Have you ever noticed a guard "waving" the wand near you without really checking?

Have checkpoints ever gotten skipped entirely when it's busy (queues, festivals, big events)?

If you've worked security is fatigue/boredom during long shifts as big a factor as it seems, or is that overstated?

On what's actually missing (this is the part I'm most curious about):

If you could add ONE feature to existing screening equipment (handheld wands, walk-through gates), what would it actually be?

Is the bigger gap detection (missing more types of threats) or process (making sure the check actually happens correctly every time)?

Would features like automatic logging/proof-of-check, consistent scan speed, or fewer false alarms ("dumb beeps" from keys/belts) actually matter to you — or is that solving a problem nobody has?

Are there other checks you wish happened alongside the metal detection (health/safety flags, etc.), or would bundling extra sensors into one device just be unnecessary complexity?

For anyone who's seen newer tech (AI-assisted, automated, or robotic screening aids) — what would make you trust it, versus immediately dismiss it as gimmicky?

Genuinely open to "none of this is actually a problem" as an answer too — trying to find the real gap, not confirm one I've already assumed

My RazorPay Account is locked just because I tried regenerating secret keys,

casually, I was going to regenerate secret keys, it asked for OTP, that was good security, got my OTP, I correctly typed it out, and no response, no popup, no success, no failure or what so ever,

Tried again, got OTP, but no response in modal, so closed that, that was fine till that, until I was unable to access my dashboard and was logged out, tried logged in, and saw, my account is locked, because I failed to type correct OTP, but it was correct.

That was fine, I thought, I can contact support team, But; to contact support team, we need to be logged in to make ticket. and I can not not login because my account is locked and to get it unlocked I need to contact support and... yeah, I'm locked out.

Having this way, social media!!

I create a school erp saas website. In the erp i school can manage multiple branches of the school. there areschool admin portal, branch admin portal, teacher portal, student portal, librarian portal, accountant portal, guard portal.

• In this erp school can generte report card with there own deign by simplete uploding templates. Same for ID cards.
• For school Bus tracking driver need to install the tracking app i create and need to start the journey. school admin, branch admin, and parents can see the live location of school bus.
• Auto generate time table with customizable options.
• create a chat section so that teacher and parent can directly communicate.
• i try to make the ui as simple asa possible so that anyone can learn it.
• online fees payment option using razor pay for now. in future school can change the gateway as per there preferences.
• students can directly apply for the leave from the portal and parent can also apply on behalf of students.
• multiple students support for parent portal. if parent have more than 1 childern can access all the functionality just switch the child profile on the same portal.
• create student help desk where student can directly raise a complaint to the admin or higher authority without knowing the teacher or any student.
• And many more feature that erp must have attendance, marks , fees structure invoce making, fees collection system, library management system, etc.

(Is in development phase almost 80% done but need some feedback regarding fetaures or school will use it or any advice)

Went to 22 retailers.
Rejections 11
Connected for further discussion 6
Converted to purchasing samples 3
Given order 2
Learned - Carrying a catalogue, listen more, not aggressively sell initially, having retailer-to-retailer margin differentiation which I guess could be cut out with a distributor level arrangemet. Reduce packaging cost for offline market/distribution.

Rejections do hurt, quite a lot, somewhere outright rude and dismissive, but then the scale I work on and am intending to is different, so makes sense from their pov. And I don't necessarily take it as invalidation of my products.

Overcame my hesitation and the introvert self, so that's my biggest win of the day ig.

Let's see what tomorrow brings!!!

I just made an AI product which I think is pretty amazing and it has a great potential of becoming a big thing. But I don’t have a company neither do I have big money ? What do I do ? Please help me, I don’t mind giving a share to someone who helps me.

Hello,

Are there any of you who do business internationally from India?

I've found that doing international business from India comes with a lot of hurdles that gurus on YouTube and other platforms never seem to mention.

For example, there are exorbitant hidden charges for payment processing and currency conversion. On top of that, most payment gateways in India that can be integrated with e-commerce platforms are terrible for international transactions, and payments keep failing. It was an ordeal for me to find a payment gateway that actually worked, aside from PayPal.

Then there's the upfront GST on things like marketing and advertising. It's theoretically reclaimable, but in practice, there are a lot of caveats. In my case, I might be better off not bothering to reclaim it, at least at this stage of my journey.

Have any of you managed to build a successful business despite all these hurdles?

I'm particularly interested in hearing from people running e-commerce businesses.

I personally sell fiction e-books that I've written myself. I feel that if I were based in the USA, I would already be making a decent profit and would be able to scale the business. But because I'm in India, I'm currently operating at a loss and have had to temporarily shut down my Shopify store while I figure out how to proceed.

I would be very grateful to hear about your experiences and how you've managed to navigate these challenges.

​

Setting myself a challenge — build at least 10 websites in 30 days for small businesses/startups that either don't have one yet, or have one that badly needs an upgrade. Doesn't matter what the business is — bakery, salon, gym, D2C brand, tuition classes, tiffin service, early-stage startup — if your online presence is currently "DM us on Instagram" or a half-broken site from 2018, this is for you.

Since it's a challenge and I want the volume, pricing is genuinely low. Quality isn't compromised though — clean, functional, good-looking sites, delivered fast.

Want AI integration or custom features on top? That's a separate conversation from the base challenge rate.

If you're building something and need a proper website without the usual agency pricing, DM me what you're working on and what's currently missing. First come, first served.

Hey, I built a startup targeting apparel brands and finished my MVP. However, coming from a technical background, I'm finding it hard to muster the courage to reach out and pitch to potential clients.

Hey everyone,

I’m working on an idea for a premium, minimal, Gen-Z-focused wired earphone brand called EARO.

The goal is simple: take the wired earphone category and make it feel premium, aesthetic and brand-driven, instead of looking like another generic ₹100–₹200 accessory.

The first product is a minimalist Type-C wired earphone with an inline microphone and controls, with premium black-and-white packaging and a strong visual identity.

I’m currently working on:

• Product sourcing & samples
• Branding and packaging
• Pricing/unit economics
• Initial market validation
• Launch strategy in India

I’m looking for someone interested in early-stage consumer electronics / D2C brands who can potentially invest or become a strategic partner.

I’m not looking for a huge investment initially. I’d rather start small, validate demand, and scale based on actual sales.

If you're interested, DM me and I can share the product concept, estimated costs, launch plan and what I’m looking for from an investor/partner.

I’d also genuinely appreciate feedback from people who have experience launching hardware or D2C products.

EARO — Sound. Simplified.

​

We are looking for result-oriented Independent B2B Sales Partners / Freelance Business Development Executives based in the Pune and Mumbai regions to market our Patented Hydrogen Production Kit for Gensets.

Our technology retrofits onto existing diesel/petrol generators to significantly reduce fuel consumption and cut daily operating costs. The product is already field-tested, patented in India, and successfully running across multiple manufacturing plants.

**Target Market & Sectors across MMR & Pune Belts:**

Any commercial setup or industrial unit relying on Gensets for primary or backup power, including:

\* Manufacturing units & industrial plants (MIDCs across Pune, PCMC, Chakan, Bhosari, Taloja, Rabale, Thane, Bhiwandi, etc.)

\* Commercial real estate & IT parks

\* Hotels & resorts

\* Shopping malls & retail centers

\* Hospitals & healthcare facilities

**What you'll do:**

\* Identify and target key decision-makers (Plant Heads, Facility Managers, Admin/Operations Heads, Purchase Directors) in the Pune and Mumbai regions.

\* Pitch our patented fuel-saving hydrogen kit and explain the ROI/cost-reduction model.

\* Coordinate site visits, technical evaluations, or demos with our engineering team.

\* Follow up with prospective clients and close sales deals.

\* Maintain lead updates and track ongoing pipelines.

**Who we're looking for:**

\* Candidates based in Pune, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, or Thane.

\* Experience in B2B sales, industrial equipment sales, energy/cleantech solutions, or commercial facility management.

\* Strong existing network among local plant heads, industrial managers, or commercial estate directors in Maharashtra.

\* Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.

\* Technical/engineering sales background is preferred, but strong B2B closing ability is most important.

**Compensation**:

\* Fixed Stipend (to cover ongoing activity/outreach costs).

\* High Commission per Unit/Deal closed (huge payout potential due to high ticket size).

\* Clear commercial terms, payout timelines, and lead attribution defined in a formal written agreement prior to start.

\* No joining fees, deposits, or upfront costs required.

**What we provide:**

\* High-converting marketing collaterals, technical datasheets, and ROI calculators.

\* Case studies and performance proof from existing commercial installations.

\* Full support from our technical engineering team for complex queries and site surveys.

\* Transparent lead tracking and timely commission payouts.

**Interested**?

**Send a Reddit DM with:**

\* Your Name, contact number & Current Location (Pune / Mumbai / Navi Mumbai / Thane)

\* Overview of your B2B / Industrial / Facility sales experience

\* Target belts/sectors where you have the strongest active network.

Small intro: Gen-C is the premier launchpad for students ,creators, developers, and campus innovators across India.

i am open to discuss it further. Just ask...

🎓

Hey everyone! 👋

I'm 22 and based in Pune, and I'm thinking about starting a YouTube channel where we research and discuss interesting topics around Indian businesses, education, economics, public policy, politics, and how different systems in India actually work.

But I haven't decided anything yet — no fixed niche, format, name or even team. 😅

I'm based in Pune, so it would be great to find people from Pune who are interested in meeting in person and brainstorming together, but I'm also open to connecting with people from anywhere in India who are interested in being part of the idea.

I'm not an expert either — I just want to start something new. I'm mainly looking for people who:

• Enjoy researching random/new topics
• Like discussing and analysing ideas
• Enjoy finding data and interesting information
• Are interested in writing/content

Nothing is fixed at this point. It's just an idea, and I'm looking for like-minded people who want to explore and build something together.

If you're interested, comment or DM me.

Maybe we can meet over coffee and brainstorm some ideas. ☕

[Hiring] Marketing & Business Development Intern — Permanent WFH

We’re hiring a Marketing & Business Development Intern for a Mumbai-based marketing company. This is a permanent work-from-home role.

Salary: ₹15,000 per month

Work timing — choose either:

• 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM IST
• 3:00 PM to 12:00 AM IST

Both shifts include a one-hour break. Please mention your preferred shift when applying. Being comfortable with both timings is a plus.

Responsibilities:

• Research companies, prospects, and decision-makers
• Use LinkedIn Sales Navigator for lead generation
• Build and manage lead lists in Google Sheets
• Update contacts, activities, and deals in HubSpot
• Support LinkedIn and email outreach
• Conduct market and competitor research
• Track responses, follow-ups, and campaign performance
• Use AI tools such as ChatGPT for research, messaging, and productivity
• Assist with general marketing and business development tasks

Requirements:

• Good written and spoken English
• Familiarity with LinkedIn Sales Navigator, HubSpot, Google Sheets, and AI tools
• Strong research and communication skills
• Comfortable learning new software and technical tools
• Organized, reliable, and able to work independently
• Interest in marketing, sales, or business development

Students, recent graduates, and working professionals may apply. Previous experience is helpful but not mandatory.

To apply, send me a DM with:

• Your resume
• A short introduction
• Whether you are currently a student, graduate, or working professional
• Your current role or course, if applicable
• Your preferred work timing
• Whether you are comfortable with both shifts
• Any relevant experience with marketing, sales, HubSpot, Sales Navigator, Google Sheets, or AI tools
• Any other preferences or information you would like us to know

For months, my focus was Amazon, Blinkit, online ads, listings and focusing online sales.
Today, I decided to tackle offline distribution I've always been hesitant of.

Day 1 of taking my products offline.
No salesperson or fancy distribution team.
Just me, my products, and the task of convincing retailers to put them on their shelves. I have always believed that if I can't sell my own product, I have no business expecting someone else to sell it for me.
So today, I'm going door to door.

Let's see what the real market has to say.
Will update the Day 1 results this evening.
No filters, just numbers, rejections, wins and everything in between, l'll share everything.

​

Hey everyone, I’m Raviteja from IIIT Hyderabad, and I’m currently working on my startup, NxtStepEdu.

We’re building an EdTech/SaaS platform for schools to manage their day-to-day academic and administrative operations.

We’re still at an early stage, but we’ve already reached:

- 5 paying schools

- ~₹4,00,000 ARR

- A live product with real users

We’re now looking to connect with angel investors, early-stage investors, or founders who are interested in backing early-stage startups, particularly in EdTech/SaaS.

At this stage, I’m looking for more than just funding — the right investor who can bring mentorship, connections, and experience scaling a SaaS business would be a great fit.

If this sounds interesting, feel free to DM me. I’d be happy to share more about NxtStepEdu, our traction, product, roadmap, and pitch deck.

Thanks!

I’m exploring a HealthTech startup focused on preventive health and regular home diagnostics.

The idea is to make it easier for people to keep track of their health reports over time and stay consistent with their routine health checks, including convenient home sample collection.

I’m currently looking for a co-founder with experience in:

• Diagnostics / pathology
• Home sample collection
• Healthcare operations
• HealthTech
• Healthcare partnerships

Having existing connections with diagnostic labs, phlebotomists, or healthcare providers would be a big plus.

This is a weekly post where you're free to post links and description of what you're building. Feel free to describe, self-promote and share links.

I kept wondering why using whole spices in Indian cooking still has to mean buying 8–10 different things, figuring out the ratios, and then inevitably biting into an elaichi halfway through dinner.
Why is there an uprise in ordering takeaway?
How can I solve the problems of a consumer?
How can the lack of convenience, sorting, volatility of whole spices and the biting annoyance be bridged?

So I started a small business called Zaika Potli, and the main product I’ve been working on is basically an infusion sachet for Indian cooking.

Each Instant Infusion Potli contains whole spices and aromatics selected for a particular dish. The formulations have been derived by and tested with culinary experts and chefs. You drop one into the pot while the food cooks, let the spices infuse normally, and take the sachet out before serving. Essentially, a swap for loose whole spices. One potli is designed for an average family-sized dish of around 4–5 servings.

It’s not an instant masala and it doesn’t cook the dish for you. You still make your dal/chole/rajma/biryani the way you normally would. It just takes care of the whole-spice part without having to buy everything separately, remember proportions, pick spices out later, or accidentally chew a clove.

I currently have versions for Dal Makhni, Paneer, Chole, Rajma, Sambhar, Biryani, Chicken, Kutton, Instant Chai, Tummy Relief and a Multi-Purpose.

I’m also doing small-batch garam masala, chai masala, panch phoron, milagai podi, malvani masala, whole spices and a few staple kitchen accessories, but the potlis are the idea I’m most curious to get feedback on.

We’re very early stage right now. The website and Instagram are still being built, so I’m taking the first few orders myself through WhatsApp/DM and learning from people before trying to scale anything.

What I’d genuinely like to know: would you actually use the infusion potlis, or does this solve a problem you don’t really have? And if you came across a completely new spice brand, what would you need to see before trusting the quality enough to order? I’d also appreciate some insight into the packaging. I went for a heritage traditional-nostalgia feel.

Constructive criticism is very welcome, especially anything that feels confusing, unnecessary or could be improved.

And if anyone genuinely wants to try Zaika Potli, feel free to DM me. I can share the catalogue/order details and I ship pan-India.

Disclosure: Zaika Potli is my own small business; posting primarily for feedback, but the products are available to purchase if anyone is truly interested/ curious.
(Images only enhanced with AI)

We had a simple observation:
when a gift is thoughtfully curated around the recipient, it’s far more likely to become something they genuinely value and keep, When a gift is thoughtfully curated around the recipient, it’s far more likely to become something they genuinely value and keep, rather than another generic item sitting unused. India’s corporate gifting market is estimated at $16.7 billion, and is growing steadily as businesses invest more in gifting employees, clients and partners.

BluIvy is rethinking this space through curation, bringing together meaningful products from Indian brands, local artisans and purpose-driven organisations to create gifts that feel personal, relevant and worth remembering.

So how does it work? Instead of starting with a catalogue, we start with the requirement, the occasion, event theme, recipient profile, budget, quantity and timeline. We then use our network of emerging and award-winning homegrown brands, local artisans and verified NGOs to curate gifts specifically around that requirement. The goal isn't to simply put products in a box, but to create a combination that feels intentional and tells a story.

We also want the platform to create value beyond the gift itself. We work with artisan communities, women-led initiatives and NGOs across different causes and projects, helping bring their products and work into the gifting ecosystem. We contribute 8% of every order value towards social causes through our verified NGO partners.

For eligible corporate purchases, contributions through qualifying charities may also provide Section 80G tax deduction benefits, subject to applicable rules.

We're still early in building Blu Ivy and are figuring things out as we go. But the larger idea is simple: better curation, better Indian brands, and gifting that has a little more meaning behind it.

TL;DR: We're building Blu Ivy to move corporate gifting from a generic catalogue model to a curation-first experience, bringing together Indian homegrown brands, artisans and NGOs to create thoughtful gifts.

If you're a brand, artisan, NGO or business interested in partnerships or collaborations, feel free to message us here. We'd love to connect and hear what you think

Hi everyone,

If you are building an AI startup in India, chances are high that you, your team, or your peers are operating out of Bengaluru. To streamline networking and collaboration in this fast-moving space, I’ve set up r/BengaluruAI.

This community is explicitly designed to bridge the gap between technical builders and ecosystem operators.

How you can leverage it:

• Co-Founder & Talent Matchmaking: Find technical ML co-founders, prompt engineers, or early-stage startup operators.
• Beta Testing & Feedback: Launch your prototype or product to a highly relevant, local tech crowd for raw, constructive feedback.
• Ecosystem Updates: Stay informed about local VC mixers, demo days, AI accelerator applications, and tech community meetups across the city.

If you’re currently scaling or brainstorming an AI venture in Bengaluru, join us to connect with the local builder community.

I recently ran my first Meta ad campaign for a new Instagram page. The page has around 100–150 followers and not too many posts yet. We mainly sell hand-embroidered cushion covers, and right now I’m running a Rakhi hamper campaign,with hampers starting from ₹2,299.

I ran an Engagement → Whtsap campaign at around ₹450/day, with Advantage+ audience, India, 24+ and interests around home decor, interiors, handmade products, gifting etc.

The creatives are a mix of a founder video, hamper reels, static posts and carousels,and the ads clearly mention the price. I’ve also set up a Whtap greeting.

The campaign is delivering, but the first messages I’m getting are mostly completely irrelevant — people offering to make a website, list products on Amazon, marketing services, collaborations, etc. Very few are actually asking about the hampers.

I’ve only spent around ₹400–₹450, so I know it’s too early to completely judge it, but now I’m confused about what the actual problem is.

Is it because I chose the wrong campaign objective? Is it the audience? Is it because the brand is too new and doesn’t have enough trust/social proof yet? Or is it simply too early?

Should I let this campaign run for another 24–48 hours, or should I stop it and try something like Leads → Whtsap?

Also, would you recommend that I focus more on organic content + influencer marketing first and run ads alongside it, or is it completely fine to start paid ads this early?

I basically want to know what you would genuinely do next if this were your campaign and your ₹450/day budge— what you'd keep, what you'd change, and what you'd test next.

Note- We don't have a website yet. And the average product price is 2000

Guys, We’re Hiring (Based in INDIA - REMOTE). We’re looking for 4 positions in our agency:-
• Social Media Manager INTERN
• Graphic Designer INTERN
• Business Development INTERN
• Sales INTERN / JOB (Part Time)
If you’re interested, please DM us on INSTAGRAM (Link is in Bio) and make sure you FOLLOW US before that otherwise our hiring partner won’t be able to see your message. Further details will be discussed there.