How to Get Discovered by Indian Startups With Fueler

Startups in India are growing faster than ever. Every week, a new product is launched, a new job is created, and a new freelancer is hired. But here’s the truth: resumes no longer get attention. Startups today don’t want to read about your potential, they want to see it. They want to discover people who can show what they’ve built, not just talk about it. That’s why people with a solid proof of work portfolio are getting discovered by Indian startups faster and better than ever.

I’m Riten, founder of Fueler, a platform that helps freelancers and professionals get hired through their proof of work. In this article, I’ll show you how Indian freelancers are getting discovered by startups every single day, even without a fancy degree or network. But beyond having the right skills, the real key is how you present your work. Your portfolio isn’t just a collection of past work, it’s your reputation, your credibility, and your shortcut to trust.

Let’s dive deep into how you can get hired by Indian startups using Fueler.

Why Startups Prefer Hiring Through Portfolios Now

Hiring is expensive. Hiring the wrong person is even more expensive. Indian startups today are choosing to hire through portfolios and proof of work, not just interviews. Here’s why:

• Speed: Portfolios help them evaluate skills in minutes
• Transparency: No lies, no fluff, just raw skill
• Trust: Good projects build instant trust
• Zero bias: Startups don’t care about college anymore, they care about execution

Most early-stage Indian startups like Topmate, GrowthX, Growth School, Scenes by Avalon, and even emerging SaaS companies are discovering freelancers through Fueler because it makes hiring easier and faster. These startups are assigning real-world tasks to filter talent, and that’s where Fueler plays a major role.

What Makes Fueler Different?

Unlike typical job platforms or freelancing sites, Fueler is built for portfolio-first hiring. It’s a place where startups post assignments, and freelancers can do them as part of their portfolio.

Fueler is not just another platform. It’s a portfolio builder and project discovery platform that gives you direct access to hiring opportunities.

• Fueler Projects: Companies list hiring assignments here. Complete them, and if your work stands out, you get shortlisted or even directly hired
• Fueler Membership: A curated plan to help serious freelancers get private projects, networking support, and one-on-one guidance
• Proof of Work Templates: Helps you document your projects properly for startup visibility

You can read more about proof of work here

How to Get Discovered by Indian Startups on Fueler

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how freelancers are getting hired by top Indian startups using Fueler

1. Identify In-Demand Startup Skills

Startups are hiring for these skills in 2025:

• UI/UX Design
• Performance Marketing
• Copywriting and Content Strategy
• No-Code Tools like Webflow, Glide, Framer
• Community Management
• Video Editing and YouTube Growth
• Frontend Web Development (React, Next.js)

These are roles where execution matters more than education. That’s why startups want to see your work before they talk to you.

Why it matters: You don’t need a CS degree or a media background. What you need is solid work uploaded online in a discoverable format like your Fueler profile.

2. Build a Clean and Searchable Portfolio

Your portfolio must look and feel like your personal startup. That means:

• Clear profile bio explaining what you do and for whom
• Showcase of 8 to 10 high-quality projects
• Add tags like Copywriting, Webflow, and Performance Marketing so startups can discover you by skill
• Make your portfolio searchable on Google

Why it matters: If a founder searches "freelance landing page copywriter India" and your Fueler portfolio pops up, that’s discovery.

3. Use Fueler Projects for Assignment-Based Hiring

Fueler Projects is where Indian startups are hiring through real-world tasks. Here's how it works:

• Startups post assignments like “Redesign our homepage” or “Write a welcome email flow”
• You complete the task and upload it to your portfolio
• If they like it, you get hired

Companies like Topmate, 10kdesigners, and Growth School have already hired people this way.

Why it matters: This flips the hiring process. Instead of waiting for an interview, you take the first step by solving a task and showcasing your skills.

4. Join Fueler Membership for Early Leads and Support

Fueler Membership is our way of supporting serious freelancers who want consistent leads and better visibility. Here's what you get:

• Weekly project leads from Indian startups
• Access to a private community of freelancers
• Feedback on your portfolio
• Personal growth check-ins to help you grow your monthly income

Why it matters: You don’t have to hustle on Twitter or spam DMs. With Fueler Membership, we bring you closer to the kind of opportunities Indian startups are actively hiring for.

Read more here: What is Fueler Membership

5. Focus on Building Public Proof of Work

Whether you're a content writer or a developer, publish your work in public. Use Fueler to:

• Upload projects from freelance work, internships, or even side projects
• Document what problem you solved and how
• Link your project to GitHub, Google Docs, Figma, or Notion

Each project becomes a proof of work, which helps you get discovered by startup recruiters browsing Fueler.

Why it matters: Proof of work is your new resume. It shows ability, thinking, and execution, the three things Indian startups care about.

6. Promote Your Portfolio Where Startups Hang Out

Don’t just build a portfolio. Share it.

• Post your Fueler link on LinkedIn with a story
• Add it to your Twitter or X bio
• Share specific projects in startup WhatsApp or Slack communities

The more visibility, the better chances of discovery.

Why it matters: You never know who’s looking. Founders, hiring managers, or even other freelancers who can refer you.

7. Keep Updating Your Work Every Month

Stale portfolios don’t work. Keep adding new projects monthly. You can even:

• Solve a challenge from Fueler Projects
• Redesign a popular startup’s homepage
• Write a blog post and convert it into a case study

Every new project is a new discovery opportunity.

Why it matters: Active portfolios rank higher. They also signal that you're constantly learning, which startups love.

Final Thoughts

Getting discovered by Indian startups is no longer about cold emails or job boards. It’s about showing your work. Platforms like Fueler are built to make this process smooth, visible, and trusted. If you’re a freelancer, student, or self-taught professional looking to work with fast-growing startups, now is the best time to build your proof of work portfolio and stand out.

Your skills are valuable but only when startups can see them.

FAQs

1. How can I get freelance projects from Indian startups?

Start by uploading your past work on Fueler. Then participate in assignments listed on Fueler Projects. If a startup likes your submission, they can reach out directly.

2. Which skills are most in demand by Indian startups in 2025?

UI/UX Design, Copywriting, Performance Marketing, Video Editing, Web Development, and No-Code Development are some of the most in-demand freelance skills right now.

3. What is proof of work and why is it important?

Proof of work is a public record of your past projects. It builds trust and shows your skills through action, not words. Learn more about it here

4. What is Fueler Membership and should I join it?

Fueler Membership gives you access to premium hiring projects, one-on-one support, and community access. It’s perfect if you want to grow your freelance career fast. Read more here

5. How do Indian startups hire through Fueler?

Startups post assignments on Fueler Projects. Freelancers complete those tasks and upload them. If the work matches their expectations, startups reach out for freelance or full-time roles.

What is Fueler Portfolio?

Fueler is a career portfolio platform that helps companies find the best talents for their organization based on their proof of work.

You can create your portfolio on Fueler, thousands of freelancers around the world use Fueler to create their professional-looking portfolios and become financially independent. Discover inspiration for your portfolio

Sign up for free on Fueler or get in touch to learn more.