Recap
Welcome to the third edition of my “Tools for Early Startup Founders” newsletter!
I’m sharing useful tools and platforms that I’ve personally used in my startups. Even though these tools are simple, free, and might seem like no-brainers, they have helped me and my partner turn ideas into a successful business.
I’m a huge fan of the open-source community, without which I wouldn’t have become a software engineer at one of the top AgTech robotics companies in the US. Now, I want to give back by sharing my knowledge with anyone who might find it helpful in building a career as a software engineer, robotics engineer, or entrepreneur.
For new subscribers who missed my previous newsletters, you can find the links here.
Topic of the day
Let’s say you’ve decided to start a new startup, either on your own or with friends and colleagues. You’ll need a platform to connect and collaborate—a place where you can feel like you’re in an office and conduct meetings seamlessly. How can you achieve that?
Gather is a one-of-a-kind virtual office with a gamified environment. You’re assigned a character that can walk, talk, wave, and even dance! You can also customize your office space, your desk, and your avatar to make the experience truly your own.
Some of the key reasons of why using Gather can improve your productivity,
Seriousness: In the first few months, it can be difficult for you and your partners to stay serious about your business ideas. Most people start their first startup with friends from college or work. However, without an office setup, relying only on WhatsApp groups or phone calls often lacks the seriousness needed to drive real productivity. Slack is a good option, but nothing matches the feeling of actually being in an office. Gather gives you that experience.
Communication: Other communication tools such as Slack Huddles, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Zoom usually require scheduling and sending invites before connecting. In contrast, Gather offers a seamless experience—you simply walk up to your team members and instantly start a conversation. Trust me, it’s something you have to experience at least once.
Virtual Office for Work from Home: Not all startups can afford a physical office, and most tech companies now operate remotely. Gather serves as the perfect tool to give you and your team an ‘office-like’ experience while working from home.
Free Tier: Gather offers a free tier for up to 10 users with limited features. For most young startups, this is usually sufficient to make full use of the platform until you secure funding and expand your team.
What next? Try Gather.town and let me know if you like this platform.
Shout outs
This is the section where I give shout-outs to young startups with compelling ideas and outstanding products or services.
If you have an interesting startup that you’d like to share with my subscribers, please connect with me. I’d be happy to give you a shout-out if your product or service stands out
Events
- TNStartup Global summit 2025 at Coimbatore, on Oct 8 2025 and Oct 9 2025. Register here
- Business and Franchise Expo at Coimbatore, on Aug 23 2025 and Aug 23 2025.Buy tickets here
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