Teamed up with my friends and co-founded, in my opinion, an extremely innovative student-run startup, out of which Heltar was born.What started out as our tech team's vision to improve operational efficiency with a scalable communication solution using WhatsApp API, became our present-day flagship product for businesses, HeltarChat.Along with functionalities like data-driven bulk messaging, a team inbox with permissions, and phone number masking, other cool and super useful stuff like automation using chatbots, custom WhatsApp integrations with a business’s existing apps and platforms (like if it wants to send automated WhatsApp messages to recover abandoned carts on Shopify) + much more is also possible on HeltarChat.Heltar has:• received a USD 10K equity-free grant from Antler (and potential future fundraising of USD 125K).• raised USD 40K from gradCapital.

Sidelined college and took on a full-time role. • Made a mini film for an investor pitch for the next round of funding. We saved close to ₹1 lakh, which was the quote given by companies offering filmmaking services. I involved my younger sister and local grocer to save money on actors.• Analysed load cell data from our ERP for machines with numerous over/under billing issues to find out why the machines couldn’t handle the set variance in item weight properly in certain situations. Shared the findings with the tech people.• Automated tedious WhatsApp bulk messaging tasks with a python script (that’s before my manager came across AiSensy and we started using that. Side note: This was one of the first moments which, looking back, showed me a glimpse of Heltar’s value add for businesses. Heltar did not exist during this time, but if it did, would’ve used heltarchat without a doubt because it just takes care of the little things).

Was walking back home with a friend after having McDonald’s, came across Gobbly’s automated retail store in our society, and was dragged towards it (my friend was very curious to know what it is). I remember discussing with him, “Is it AI? Are there cameras? How does it work?”. We were just absolutely fascinated by the tech. Reached out to one of the co-founders on LinkedIn, and he called me to their office for a coffee. Started as an intern and learned a lot from my manager (the marketing head) and both co-founders.• Negotiated deals with Estate Managers (and third-party organisations handling brand partnerships on their behalf) of societies in Gurgaon, Manesar, and Noida for running LED screen and poster ads in areas like lift lobbies, inside the lift, basement etc. • On-ground photography for new society launches and guiding residents on how to use Gobbly. Also helped in setting up and testing the machines pre-launch.• Market research, talking to customers, understanding their pain points and behaviours, filling it all up in a lot of sheets. • Wrote copies for our app notifications, in-app promotional banners, social media posts, posters, WhatsApp communications etc.• Handled printing of things like price labels, QR code stickers, and marketing material such as standees and posters. Coordinated with our printing guy and warehouse team for safe transportation and storage of the stuff till it was required to be sent to our sites.