In recent years, India has emerged as a global hub for entrepreneurship and innovation, with a thriving startup ecosystem. As we step into the year 2023, the Indian business landscape presents a plethora of opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs. Various factors have created a conducive environment for new business ventures, from technological advancements to changing consumer preferences.
This article has compiled a list of 35 best business ideas to start in India in 2024. These ideas encompass various industries and sectors, catering to market segments and emerging trends. Whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur or a first-time business owner, this list aims to inspire and guide you towards potential business ventures that hold promise in the Indian market.
Each business idea on this list has been carefully selected based on its growth potential, market demand, and feasibility. However, conducting thorough market research and feasibility studies is important before embarking on any entrepreneurial journey. It is also advisable to consider your interests, skills, and resources while evaluating these ideas to ensure a better chance of success.
From e-commerce and technology-driven ventures to eco-friendly initiatives and innovative service-based solutions, this compilation aims to provide diverse options to suit various entrepreneurial aspirations. The business ideas presented here are not limited to any specific region or demographic, allowing aspiring entrepreneurs from all corners of India to explore and tap into the vast potential of the Indian market.
As you read through this list, remember that starting a business requires dedication, perseverance, and adaptability. It is essential to stay abreast of the latest industry trends, engage with potential customers, and continuously refine your business strategies to stay competitive in today’s dynamic business environment.
Your tiny firm should meet a need or provide a simple solution. You can develop a profitable business idea by identifying an unmet demand and specifying the potential customers.
Business Ideas to Start in India 2025
Starting a business has never been more affordable, particularly for digital companies. Thanks to technology, starting a small business is now simple, affordable, and possible. A phone, a computer, an Internet connection, and a domain name are all you need to launch an online business.
However, developing a workable and original idea for a small company is the toughest obstacle.
The top business ventures that you can launch in 2024 are listed below.
An excellent small business idea should, in theory, meet the following three requirements:
- It needs to be an activity you enjoy,
- It ought to be something you excel at, and
- It should be a sought-after item (i.e., people would pay for it).
We’ve created a list of successful business ideas that are both online and offline, simple to start, and in demand to aid you in getting started. Without further ado, let’s delve into the 35 best business ideas to start in India in 2024 and discover the exciting possibilities that await aspiring entrepreneurs in the land of opportunities.
Each concept has been grouped as follows:
Category | Range | Description |
Business Type | Online or offline | Is this opportunity accessible in the physical world or online? |
Investment | Low or high investment | What does it cost to launch this business? |
Earning Potential | Low or high value | How much money can you hope to make? |
We also list the concepts that are most suited for (1) stay-at-home parents; (2) graduate students; and (3) youth and children.
1. Online Bookkeeping
Bookkeeping has gone online, much like so many other occupations. This is wonderful news for many bookkeepers and accountants who feel confined in the office setting and desire greater personal independence and the option to set their own hours.
Thanks to readily available appointment-setting tools and simple accounting software, it’s never been simpler to set up and maintain client accounts.
Business type: Online
Investment: Low investment
Potential: Low value
2. Business Broker
A business broker facilitates the exchange of goods and services between buyers and sellers. They must possess the necessary education, an in-depth understanding of business legislation, and familiarity with accepted procedures in their particular industries. Business brokers receive commissions for the transactions they complete.
Type of business: Online
Investment: Low investment
Potential: High value
3. Office Space Rental
The youthful entrepreneurs who are creating the next Amazon or Google are primarily responsible for the rising demand for office space.
If you already own a good piece of real estate, your startup expenditures will be minimal. If that’s not the case, you’re looking at a big investment.
Business type: Offline
Investment: High investment
Potential: High value
4. Virtual Call Center Operator
Unlike conventional contact centres, virtual call centers frequently hire individuals worldwide who earn money working from home. Even if you are conversing with someone while seated in your dorm room, they may believe they are speaking with an actual business employee.
Business type: Online
Investment: Low investment
Potential: Low value
5. Language Translation
The demand for qualified translators is still quite high and will likely stay that way for a while despite the great advances in machine translation.
You can begin seeking employment on websites like Fiverr or Upwork and gradually increase your clientele. Asking well-known bloggers or a freelance writing service directly if they would be open to having their blog posts translated into another language is another smart move.
Business type: Online
Investment: Low investment
Potential: Low value
6. Importing Electronic Original Equipment Manufacturer Gadgets
You’ll probably notice that many of the top-selling items on Amazon or eBay are imported. The process is very straightforward: you buy your initial inventory, establish your brand, and then promote and advertise your goods online.
Without a physical warehouse, you may even employ drop-shipping or Amazon fulfilment services to handle the entire process and raise your average order value.
Business type: Online/Offline
Investment: High investment
Potential: High value
7. Online Shop
It’s still feasible to start an internet store today, just as it was ten years ago. The task is more difficult, but you have access to a large selection of free tools that you can use to set things up with a minimum of work.
You can build and run an online store using a platform like Shopify and suppliers like Domain.com. This includes Kit, Shopify’s latest AI (artificial intelligence) “assistant.”The kit can handle the majority of your marketing.
Business type: Online
Investment: Low investment
Potential: High value
8. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketers market other people’s items in exchange for commissions from sales. Although Amazon is now the most popular affiliate marketing network, many more options exist. Blogging and affiliate marketing are frequently combined to produce a seamless blend of content and promotion.
Business type: Online
Investment: Low investment
Potential: High value
9. Data Analyst Consulting
As big data usage increases, more businesses will need to analyze reams of data to modify their entire company strategies. A person with the technical know-how to perform this is a data analyst who frequently has training in economics, mathematics, or finance.
Data analysts can make more than enough money for huge multinational organisations to sustain luxurious lifestyles.
Business type: Online
Investment: Low investment
Potential: High value
10. Digital Marketing Campaign Manager
Marketing has gone digital, and it’s the job of digital marketing campaign managers to produce the best results possible.
By studying freely available internet resources and conducting your own experiments, you can launch your career as a digital marketing campaign manager.
Understanding topics like marketing, SEO, landing pages, calls to action, and social media management will be necessary (including Facebook and Facebook Live). When you are more experienced, try making cold calls to nearby businesses to see if they would be interested in your services.
Business type: Online
Investment: Low investment
Potential: High value
11. Niche Website Owner
Every day, new trends emerge, some of which become hugely popular. As the owner of a niche website, you must seize the market before it becomes oversaturated.
By building a speciality website using WordPress, you can guarantee your position at the top of search results, bringing in thousands of visitors daily. This can be made simpler by utilizing a program like StudioPress. Your readership will increase if you blog.
All set to start? Selecting the ideal host is the first step. We currently recommend SiteGround as our top recommendation because it is one of our favourite web servers.
Business type: Online
Investment: Low investment
Potential: High value
12. SEO Expert
Search engine optimization (SEO) is a must for anyone who wants to be relevant online.
In a matter of months, a skilled SEO professional can transform a failing company into a successful enterprise. So it makes sense that the top SEO specialists can make comparable salaries to seasoned software developers.
Business type: Online
Investment: Low investment
Potential: High value
13. Business Incubator
A business incubator’s function is to assist new enterprises and startups with business planning and startup. A typical business incubator will give clients high-speed internet connectivity, office space, management training, and other essentials.
Thinking too broadly is unnecessary; a tiny neighbourhood incubator can be a great place to start.
Business type: Offline
Investment: High investment
Potential: High value
14. Security Services
Given the unrest in our world today, it is not surprising that demand for security services is increasing steadily.
These security services are available online and offline (for personal and home security).
On the online side, general issues include information security, doxing protection, and identity theft.
Business type: Offline
Investment: Low investment
Potential: High value
Arts and Media Businesses
15. Self-Publishing
Some self-published authors make up to $100,000 annually. All you need to succeed in the same way is the ability to produce a captivating book that will sell, together with a few readily available resources.
Of course, if you want to succeed with self-publishing, you don’t need to make six figures. Even a few hundred dollars more each month can make a significant difference. Many self-publishers start with a modest website or freelance writing, relying on web hosts like Bluehost to get them off the ground.
Business type: Online
Investment: Low investment
Potential: High value
16. Social Media Consultant
For someone who understands how to use social media to accomplish business goals, this business is great. A generalist social media manager can navigate LinkedIn, Snapchat stories, Twitter, and other social media accounts or specialize (for instance, in running ads on Facebook and other social media platforms). This administration is made simpler by social media platforms.
While some social media consultants make six figures, most barely make the average salary.
Business type: Online
Investment: Low investment
Potential: Low value
17. Content Writer
All sizes of businesses use content marketing as their main strategy for luring clients and solidifying their place as industry leaders.
A content writer needs to have the ability to swiftly understand complex subjects and transform them into interesting postings that are well-suited for search engines. As a result, it’s excellent for those with a general knowledge of everything.
Business type: Online
Investment: Low investment
Potential: Low value
18. Podcasting
Podcasting is an excellent side hustle opportunity for anyone who deals with interesting or specialized issues that fit this format.
Do you prefer ethnic music or video games? Are startups and entrepreneurship your thing? Many individuals, like yourself, eagerly anticipate listening to your broadcast on their commute to work or school.
Business type: Online
Investment: Low investment
Potential: Low value
19. Blogging
In 2022, blogging will be a big industry. It’s still free to start, but you must have patience because gaining visibility and expanding your following will take some time. The competition is fierce today. Over 200 million of the 1.90 billion websites that exist today are active. A solid understanding of SEO is crucial, as is the capacity to produce top-notch content.
If you need a blogging platform, you can quickly build your own website with a low-cost web host like DreamHost.
Business type: Online
Investment: Low investment
Potential: High value
20. YouTube Stardom
One of the most popular YouTubers, PewDiePie, has over 111 million subscribers. His path to fame began in his bedroom with a basic webcam and a single Let’s Play video, which he continues to produce today.
Beyond live game broadcasting, YouTube still has uncharted territory full of business prospects for anyone willing to pursue them.
Business type: Online
Investment: Low investment
Potential: High value
21. Handmade Goods
You should check out Etsy, the biggest online marketplace for handmade and antique goods if you enjoy crafting.
You can choose from various items, including Jewellery, organic soup, hand-printed t-shirts, river wood lamps, leather wallets, etc. Top sellers frequently venture outside the site, developing their own brands and opening outlets worldwide. Remember that you can sell your goods on multiple websites, including those powered by Shopify and BigCommerce.
Business type: Offline
Investment: Low investment
Potential: High value
22. Antique Refurbishment
If you enjoy working with wood and lovely, priceless items but lack the artistic ability to construct your own, antique restoration might be your key to success.
Depending on what you do specifically, you might not need to put much money down to get started, but you will need to travel across the nation to find the best materials on which to work.
Business type: Offline
Investment: Low investment
Potential: Low value
23. WordPress Themes
Are you a web designer or developer who runs a side business to generate passive income? If so, designing WordPress themes may be your best option. You may sell your themes on services like Envato Market.
You will still need to offer consumers continuous support and work on updates when your theme is complete, but you can do so whenever you like.
Business type: Online
Investment: Low investment
Potential: High value
24. Makeup Artist
One of the few careers where you may begin in your bedroom and, a few years later, find yourself on the set of a Hollywood film.
Additionally, makeup artists may use websites like YouTube to their advantage and expose their work to millions of viewers worldwide.
Business type: Online/Offline
Investment: Low investment
Potential: High value
25. Image Consultant
You may be asking who might benefit from an image consultant. Engaging someone to manage your image makes sense because so many businesses and people rely on it.
The most effective image consultants have an established track record of achievement and an inside understanding of their specific business.
Business type: Online/Offline
Investment: Low investment
Potential: High value
26. E-Magazine
Today, launching an online magazine is simple; you can serve as the chief editor and outsource everything.
Due to the worldwide nature of the web and the subscription model, you can accurately predict your monthly revenue. Additionally, you have a very large audience to choose from.
Business type: Online
Investment: High investment
Potential: High value
27. Drone Videographer
If you enjoy flying drones, you might consider becoming a drone videographer. You get to see cool places, hang out with cool people, and eventually build a portfolio that might win a job in Hollywood or at a lucrative real estate company.
Professional drones are expensive, but you can start with a cheap budget using a mid-sized drone and a GoPro camera.
Business type: Offline
Investment: High investment
Potential: High value
28. Graphic Design Artist
Website designs and print layouts are examples of digital or print design work that a graphic designer might provide. On gig services like Upwork, many independent graphic designers complete minor assignments (like logo design). It can be really competitive.
You might anticipate earning anything between $15 and $300 per hour. Creating a strong portfolio can increase your income.
Business type: Online
Investment: Low investment
Potential: Low value
29. Subscription Service Owner
The subscription model’s key benefit is that it is predictable.
You can predict exactly how much money you will make each month as the number of your subscribers grows.
The world’s biggest subscription services are well-oiled businesses that bring in hundreds of millions of dollars each year.
Business type: Online
Investment: High investment
Potential: High value
Education-Related Business Opportunities
30. Language Teacher
Language teaching has long been the go-to side gig for students and even full-time high school or college teachers to earn money. Today, anyone can start teaching languages from their home, thanks to Skype and the widespread availability of the Internet.
You don’t even need to be fluent in a foreign language; many advanced students are content to practice conversational skills.
Business type: Online
Investment: Low investment
Potential: Low value
31. Online Teaching
Salman “Sal” Khan founded the non-profit educational institution Khan Academy in 2006, and its success has demonstrated the effectiveness of online instruction and paved the way for gifted teachers and their pupils.
You can develop your own website and charge your clients an hourly rate for Skype classes, or you can offer your knowledge as video content on YouTube.
Business type: Online
Investment: Low investment
Potential: Low value
32. Online Course Creator
More than 100 million users of Coursera, one of the most well-liked websites where anyone may access massive open online courses (MOOCs), are eager to learn. These classes go much beyond what is typically taught in high school.
Nothing prevents you from trying out any ability you might have that you believe people might find interesting. A web camera, capture software and elementary editing abilities are all required.
Business type: Online
Investment: Low investment
Potential: High value
Hospitality and Food Services Business Ideas
33. Hostel Owner
Thanks to services like Airbnb, anyone can transform their home, garage, or even just one room into distinctive lodging for visitors and travellers from all over the world.
The platform handles the initial exposure and offers a communication channel between owners and clients. You can even anticipate making a nice living if you own property in a desirable area.
Business type: Offline
Investment: High investment
Potential: High value
34. Event Planner
The best small business opportunity for event planners has been made possible by the Internet, which has allowed people to interact with like-minded people around the world.
Event planning is necessary to handle an event, such as a wedding or trade fair. Entry fees, sponsorships, on-site sales to attendees, and other revenue streams are possible.
Business type: Online
Investment: Low investment
Potential: High value
35. Food Truck
Do you enjoy cooking and thinking of fresh, original ideas? Then, starting a food truck might be the perfect venture for you.
You can start a food truck business even if you can barely make tea. Simply employ others to perform tasks you can or are unwilling to perform yourself, and you will take over as the operation’s leader.
Business type: Offline
Investment: High investment
Potential: High value
Our discussion thus far shows that an aspiring entrepreneur has a wide range of options to consider. We hope that all of those interested readers will find our blog useful.
Is Registering a Startup Business Mandatory?
Yes, in most cases, it is necessary to register a startup business. Registering your startup offers several legal and operational benefits, ensuring your business complies with the country’s laws and regulations. Here are some key reasons why registering a startup is important:
- Legal Recognition: Registering your startup gives it legal recognition as a separate entity from its founders. This distinction protects limited liability, separating personal assets from the business’s liabilities.
- Business Name Protection: Registering your startup allows you to secure exclusive rights to your business name, preventing others from using the same or similar names.
- Access to Funding: Many investors and financial institutions require a startup to be registered before they consider providing funding or financial support. Registration enhances your credibility and demonstrates your commitment to the business.
- Bank Account and Taxation: Registering a startup enables you to open a dedicated bank account in the business’s name. This simplifies financial transactions and ensures transparency. It also facilitates compliance with tax regulations, such as obtaining a tax identification number and filing tax returns.
- Intellectual Property Protection: Registering a startup can help protect your intellectual property, including trademarks, copyrights, or patents associated with your products or services. This safeguards your innovations and provides legal recourse in case of infringement.
- Contracts and Agreements: Registration enables your startup to enter legally binding contracts and agreements with customers, suppliers, and partners. It enhances trust and credibility in business relationships.
The process and requirements for registering a startup vary depending on the country and legal structure chosen (such as a private limited company, partnership firm, or sole proprietorship). By registering your startup, you can establish a solid foundation for your business, protect your interests, and unlock various opportunities for growth and success.
Conclusion
There are numerous business ideas that can be pursued in India in 2025. The most promising options include online tutoring, e-commerce, healthcare, digital marketing, renewable energy, and food and beverage businesses. These industries are expected to experience significant growth in the coming years, making them ideal for entrepreneurs looking to establish a successful business.
At Kanakkupillai, we offer various services to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses, including company registration, one person company registration, accounting and compliance, and business consulting. Our experienced professionals can provide expert guidance and support to help you turn your business idea into a thriving enterprise.