Do you want to start a business in India with low investment? Here in this article, we have listed down the most profitable small business ideas in India that you can start by investing little money.
The government of India has been encouraging young Indians in getting self-employed through various schemes like the Startup India Program.
Starting a small business and making it profitable requires an understanding of local demand and your own strength and dedication. One type of business in a specific area may not be successful in other parts of a big country like India. For example, a food truck business may bring you big returns in cities like Delhi, but it may not be profitable in rural areas.
While looking at the booming industries year by year can be tempting, it’s also a good idea to look at your strengths. What is your skill set? What are you great at? It is advised, that one must select a business idea based on skillsets and market demand.
60 Small Business Ideas in India
1. Start a Blog
At present, blogging is one of the most profitable small business ideas in India. If you have a keen interest in a particular area and feel that you can share valuable or entertaining information with others. Building a profitable blog requires high-quality content that is regularly posted to keep audiences interested in coming back to your website.
A good way of trying out this particular writing career is guest posting on other people’s blogs. This way you can not only test your skills but also build a good reputation. The most commonly used free content management platforms for blogging are WordPress, Blogger, Tumblr, and Hubpages.
Related: How to Start a Blog & Make Money.
2. Start an E-Commerce Business in India
Steadily e-commerce business is becoming one of the most profitable small business ideas in India. The business can be like an e-commerce store, e-commerce business solutions, giving stunning shopping to the buyers.
You can begin your entrepreneurship by offering items and products on your own e-commerce website and making a simple mobile application and web application.
The cost of creating an e-commerce shop website is ridiculously low nowadays in India. Popular e-commerce software like Shopify charges around Rs.2000 per month.
Learn More: Best eCommerce Platforms in India
3. Mobile Phone Repair
India will have millions of smartphone users by the end of 2023. Further, this figure will grow exponentially as more brands and cheaper variants enter the market.
Consequently, the demand for outlets and persons who offer repairs to mobile phones is expected to increase manifold. You can also sell accessories and credit recharge.
Learn More: How to Start Mobile Phone Repairing Business
4. Become a Stock Sub Broker
In the last few years, the country has seen a huge rise in the opening of Demat trading accounts. Broking companies like Axis securities, ICICI securities, and many more are offering sub-brokership business opportunities.
To become a stock sub-broker, you are required to pay a security deposit to the broker and a one-time SEBI registration fee. You will need an investment of around Rs. 60,000 to Rs, 70,000 to become a sub-broker in India at present. Other costs include office infrastructure, computers, and reliable internet connection.
However, to start a stock trading business, it is essential to learn the nitty gritty of trading activities. For beginners, it is advised to have first-hand experience in buying and selling stocks and then starting the business.
Read: Top 10 Stock Brokers in India
5. Food Stall
For entrepreneurs in India with a small budget, a neighborhood food stall can fetch you a good income. Make your own menu with a unique taste that tantalizes palates for more popularity.
This type of business never runs on loss because there will always be demand for it. Try and look for a spot beside the main road. Preferably near junctions and away from competitors. This type of business is one of the easier ones to start.
6. Book Store
Opening a bookstore with a food stall is a good business to start in India. It can include school books, stationery or general management books, etc., Though this had become an old and common business idea, innovative methods in this business idea can lead to good income.
7. Gift Articles Shop
Start a shop gift article shop can fetch good returns here in this part of the world. We have seen success in such a business idea when the shop is placed in a good location. This is one of the top small business ideas in India as they generally have more creativity than men.
8. Kitchen Store Business
This idea is specially targeted toward people who are good at sales and marketing. The kitchen store is a traditional business in India. Still, in this era of the internet, people prefer to buy kitchenware from local stores. Location plays an important role in the success of the kitchen items selling business. However, you must store the products according to the demand of the local customers.
9. Florist
You can consider opening a florist shop in India. Investment is not much to start this business but demands high creativity. Design bouquets, wreaths, and other floral arrangements. You can also take orders for floral decorations at weddings and other celebrations.
10. Travel Agency
The travel business is on the upswing in India in the last couple of years. If you have a keen interest in the traveling industry, this business is a potentially profit-making opportunity. If you are an absolute beginner in the industry, you can think of tying up with travel houses providing franchise opportunities.
Anyone can start a travel agency business in India with an investment as low as Rs. 10,000. It is one of the most profitable small business ideas in India for people having an interest in travel-related activities.
Learn More: How to Start a Travel Agency Business
11. Mobile Recharge Shop
Most mobile users in India visit mobile recharge shops for refilling their mobile balance. If you have a small retail space or can arrange a rented space, starting a mobile recharge shop is a good money-making business at present.
12. Translation Services
Influencers today are looking for interpretation services that provide multilingual broadcasts of their posts and services.
There are numerous international brands that are aiming to expand in India and are looking for reliable Translation services that can aid them in promoting their work in multiple regional languages in India.
Interpretation and Translation is now a business that requires less investment and delivers more. All it requires is personnel with a solid grip on a particular International language along with a corresponding knowledge of regional Indian languages.
13. Online Fuel Delivery Business
This business is already prevalent in countries like the USA and UK. However, in India, this is no doubt it is an emerging business these days. Hence there will be a huge demand in this market with the rate of growth in India.
An Online Fuel Delivery Business can return to huge profits once you get the right business plan and logistics right.
14. Become a Distributor of a Network Marketing Company
If you want to involve in a part-time business while keeping your present profession intact, a network marketing business is a good choice. Working as an independent direct-selling distributor is one of the most popular business ideas in India.
There are many reputed network companies doing very good business in India at present. Individuals having good interpersonal skills will have a greater chance of success in this kind of business.
15. VR/AR App Developer
The virtual reality software market in India is expected to grow in the coming years. A good chunk of that revenue could be in your pocket. All you have to do is learn how to develop immersive VR and AR experiences. The internet is full of resources and communities of like-minded people to help you along the way.
16. Ghostwriting Services
Very often, people with limited writing and language skills hire others to author a document, essay, or story. The work is however published under their name, though you are the author. However, you will need to sign a waiver of your Intellectual Property Right as a ghostwriter. This means you have no claim to the article.
17. Fitness Instructor Business in India
Many gymnasiums will trade membership and often a bit more for a person willing and able to teach an exercise class. You can also find people who don’t want to go to a gym and train them at home as personal trainers. If you’re in good shape, this is a great opportunity to earn some extra money, plus it can often lead to additional income with one-on-one instruction opportunities.
18. Start a Food Truck Business in India
Are you a foodie? This is one of the top food business ideas for those with small capital and a fondness for good food. You can sell your ready-to-eat food items, without paying high monthly rent.
All you need to do is to put in a minor investment in the food cart and pay a small fee. It is not necessary to push the car or move around. You can stand in one place and employ a worker to sell your products.
The best thing about this idea is that you can set it up wherever you want near a busy crossing near a festival, which in fact you will have most of the time in the year.
Starting a food truck business in India will require an investment of more than 1 Lac Rupees.
Learn More: How to Start a Mobile Food Truck Business
19. Babysitting
Got lots of evenings free? Like kids? Babysitting may be a great side business for you in India. Keep an eye on multiple children on Friday and Saturday nights and you can earn some easy cash over time.
You can also start up your own firm – advertise properly, keep rates competitive, hire if you can, and keep your customers loyal.
20. Groceries Home Delivery
This is one of the innovative small business ideas in India. The business idea is here to deliver the groceries to the doorstep of the consumer at some additional charge. The grocery business and additional delivery center option would be a unique business, and there is excellent potential in this business.
21. Yoga/ Aerobics Instructor
More and more people in India are showing interest in fitness programs. Yoga and aerobics are great ways to ensure fitness. A lot of individuals, couples, and families prefer to learn and perform Yoga and aerobics in the privacy of their homes. You can offer this service for a great income. You need to advertise properly and provide quality service.
22. Photography
Becoming a photographer is the business itself. If you are very good at clicking pictures, you can try your hand at becoming a professional photographer in India.
23. Pet Grooming
Pet grooming is becoming more popular in India as owners want to keep their pets looking their best. You could operate a mobile pet grooming business or from a stationary location. Despite the initial set-up costs, a pet grooming business would have relatively low operating costs and could allow for a good profit margin.
24. Career Guidance Business in India
With education comes growing competition and multiple career options, due to which parents or students often get confused and seek professional advice from experts. Career guidance is one of our recommended small business ideas in India for people looking to enter the education industry with a low budget.
You can build a network of experienced counselors and professionals and create a Career guidance and consultation program to help them by charging a nominal fee. This field is experiencing growing importance with time and can be done both online and offline.
25. Advertisement Agency
Apart from online advertising, a brand’s reputation also severely banks on how it is promoted publically offline. You can create an advertising agency, take advertisements from an individual or from a company and display it on hoarding in public places. Such a business doesn’t require you to have any prerequisite experience or skills. You just take an advertising offer and deliver it.
26. Real Estate Agency Business in India
If you have good communication skills, consider trying your hand at starting an estate agency business in India. The advantage of running this business is that be it a middle-class man or a rich man, everyone is ready to invest in property and you will find many contacts who are in search of some good property.
But it is also one business that is prone to many frauds and scams and thus requires you to build a lot of trusts. So it is strongly recommended to stay away from any such fraudulent offers and stay true to build a reputation among the masses.
27. Special Diet Cook
With some knowledge of nutrition and culinary skills, you can enter this business. Either you can cook special diets the at residence of the elderly or prepare meals at your home for supply. Special meals for senior citizens include low-sugar, low-sodium, gluten-free meals, and a host of others that are consumed due to health issues.
28. Start a Cosmetics Supply Business in India
The cosmetic industry is a huge and fast-growing industry in India. Creating a niche for yourself as a cosmetic supplier will also avail you the chance to share in the multi-billion dollar profits of this industry.
With many people looking to try out old and new cosmetic products so as to maintain a fabulous appearance, the cosmetic supply business is definitely worth a look.
29. Tutoring Services
Providing tutoring services is another lucrative business in India. If you are an expert in specific subjects then why don’t you offer your home tuition services to students? There is a number of college graduates out there who are making a good side income by starting this part-time business. Tutoring is one of the most popular business ideas in India with no or almost no investment.
You can offer your teaching services to your neighborhood or even you can start your own academy to teach students in a large group.
30. Business Broker
A business broker is someone who assists buyers and sellers of privately owned businesses in the buying and selling process. As such, he or she must have a good knowledge of business law and common practices in a particular industry. Business brokers are rewarded with commissions for the sales they make.
31. Tour Rental Services Business
Starting a tour rental services business is one of the best small business ideas in India where tourism is at its peak. If you are living in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, or any other part of India where Tourists love to visit beautiful places; you can offer your vehicles and houses for rent. It is a good idea to start a business in India because you will only have to rent out your property to tourists.
Furthermore, you can also make good money by offering your tourist guide, ski instructions, and rock climbing services.
32. Aquariums & Fish
You can enter the aquarium and fish business with low investment and also from your home. For this trade, you need to buy a few aquariums of various sizes and different kinds of fish that are popular as pets.
You can also breed fish by keeping special tanks.
Additionally, selling air pumps, fish food and decorative stuff for aquariums will net you more profits. Aquariums are also popular as gift items. However, you need to be well-versed in handling various species of fish.
33. Nursery & Garden Requirements
This is a great small business idea in India with low investment. Due to increased awareness about the environment, many people now maintain small plants and shrubs in their apartments and offices.
You can open this business from your home. Additionally, you can sell packets of fertilizers, seeds, and other garden requirements.
34. College Counselling
College counselors come in all shapes and sizes. Their primary duty is to help guide students through an important period in their lives. Some counselors focus on admissions, career advice, financial aid, athletics, extracurricular activities, and other concerns.
There are institutions looking out for part-time college counselors, making this a fantastic side business idea in India. You can start your own practice and charge anywhere from Rs. 500-5000+ per hour for your consultative services if you’re well-versed in the subject.
35. Cakes & Bakes
Armed with a good oven, you can open a low-investment business making cakes, muffins, cookies, and other bakery items. You will need a good location or can even start at home in India.
This is in our list of small business ideas in India because it has huge potential since consumers are always looking for new, better tastes at economical rates. You will, however, require great skills in preparing these baked delicacies.
Read: How to Start Cake Shop Business
36. Antique Furniture Restoration
Nobody wants to part with antique furniture. Simply because they have sentimental values attached. Restoring or repairing damaged antique furniture is one business you can look at if you have a sense of aesthetics and the required skills.
You can also hire craftsmen to do the restoration on the premises of your customer. Restoring antique furniture is very intricate and you will require excellent workers.
37. Resume Writing Business
If you have an eye for detail, you can start a resume-writing business by creating an excellent resume for job seekers. Youngsters are always willing to spend money on making themselves stand out from the rest while they are seeking jobs, and one such way of being different from others is by having a good resume.
38. Business or Life Coach
If you’re passionate about the business world or able to influence and encourage others in your own unique way, you may want to consider marketing your services as a business or life coach. Use your passion and expertise to give advice and suggest actionable steps people can take to improve their professional and personal lives.
39. Massage Therapy Business in India
While it does take licensing to become a massage therapist, starting a massage therapy business can be a great career for someone who enjoys working with people, making them feel relaxed and peaceful, or helping them manage pain or injury.
There are huge profits in this one as it is a “premium service”. Start in a good location with low competition.
40. Start a Consulting Firm in India
Similar to teaching a class based on your skills, you may want to evaluate what you currently excel at, and see if it would make a good consulting business.
Consulting firms exist covering a huge variety of topics, from business to IT, to public relations, and more. Live and breathe social media? Start a social media consulting business, helping businesses leverage their social presence.
41. Interior Design Consultant
With the advent of virtual reality and 360-degree video, professions that once required real-world interactions no longer do. Interior design is becoming one of them. If you have the skill and style, online interior design is a profitable place to be.
42. Candle Making
Candle-making is a small business idea that is a trendy self-employment option. Candles have been used the world over. Every living room can find a space for it, so the demand for it is not an issue. At the same time, it is quite easy to start and make candles. So this is something a person with a creative bent of mind can quickly start.
43. Man Power Resourcing
Providing resources to companies on a need basis would be another good business idea. Little planning in terms of hiring is required; else this small business idea would not be successful. Since India has a large manpower resource, this is one of the 50 small business ideas in India to start. This market is ready to boom, you can try and cash in.
44. Insurance Agency Business in India
Buying life, health, vehicle, and home insurance can be tricky. Hence, prospective clients look for agents who can explain various aspects of a policy. In India, insurance companies also depend upon agents to augment their sales and increase market share. With some knowledge of finance and insurance, this is a fairly lucrative small business.
45. Financial Planning and Management Service Company
Currency is dynamic and is transforming every moment. Today money is everywhere, every second in one form or the other. People and businessmen are always looking for reliable and trustworthy services for financial planning and management to keep an organized track of their money and plan their future investments.
You can build a service to provide advice to customers about investment & financial planning. However, before starting this, it is highly recommended that you become a certified financial planner if you want people to trust your credibility in the financial planning business.
46. Gourmet Cookie Making
If you love baking and are able to keep your hand out of the proverbial cookie jar, making gourmet cookies is a great side hustle with plenty of long-term potential hence it is on our list of the top small business ideas in India. Start by learning how to execute unique and tasty gourmet cookie recipes, then seal the deal by creating or purchasing professional-looking packaging. Sell your cookies online or to people in your local community.
47. Handmade Goods
If you are a crafty person, you should take a look at Etsy, the largest online market for homemade and vintage goods. You will find an amazing mix of leather wallets, lamps made from river wood, unique hand-printed t-shirts, jewelry, organic soup, and countless other things. Top sellers often expand beyond the platform, creating their own brands and opening stores across the country.
48. Start a Car Wash Business in India
Car washing zones are an emerging business in India. Automated car washing offers speed and convenience hence returning more profits. That is why the demand for the auto laundry industry is increasing rapidly.
Generally, starting a franchise of an existing car wash business is easier than opening its own brand. You can find a lot of renowned car wash franchises in the Indian market.
49. Packers and Movers Business
The demand for moving companies is increasing very fast. Therefore, starting a business in the relocating industry is a lucrative opportunity for new entrepreneurs. This type of business demands licensing and permission from several Govt authorities.
Learn More: How To Start Packers and Movers Business
50. Pet Daycare
If you love animals and have enough room to spare in your house, you can start a pet daycare. There’s not much to it: pet owners leave their animals whenever they have to go out for a longer time, and your job is to provide them with everything they need and ensure that they will be happy.
51. Mobile Laundry
Mobile laundry services can be the ideal extension of an existing laundry business. Anyone else will have to deal with high investment costs and relatively low returns. In this day and age, it’s paramount to make the entire service as convenient as possible, which often means creating mobile applications and a dedicated website interface where customers can schedule deliveries and pickups.
52. Image Consultant
You are probably wondering who needs an image consultant. We don’t blame you. But the reality is that many companies and individuals rely on their image, making it worthwhile to hire someone to manage it. Best image consultants are people with a proven track record of success and inside knowledge of the particular industry.
53. Electric Charging Station Provider
Electric vehicles are the future of transportation and electric vehicle charging stations are the backbone of this revolution. If you own a highly frequented property, you might consider installing a charger and offering it to EV drivers for a small fee.
54. E-Magazine
These days, it’s very easy to start an e-magazine; you can outsource everything online and act as the chief editor. The subscription model allows you to know exactly how much money you will make the next month, and the global nature of the web gives you a very large audience to target.
55. Start a Transport Business in India
One can start a business in this industry with moderate capital investment. India is one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia and in the entire world. Especially in the transport and logistics industry sector.
The Indian logistics industry creates numerous small-scale and large-scale business opportunities for new entrepreneurs. Hence if you want to cash in on this opportunity you can check out our top profitable transport businesses with small investments.
56. Espresso Cart
Your first espresso cart could be the start of a much larger business. The key is to not actually spend your time selling the coffee and, instead, employ someone else to do the job. You can then focus on growing your fleet of espresso carts and moving the business in the right direction.
57. Makeup Artist
This is one of those few professions that you can start working on in your bedroom and end up on the set of a Hollywood movie just a few years down the road. What’s more, makeup artists can take advantage of platforms such as YouTube and make their content visible to billions of people from all over the world.
58. Car Rental
The car rental business has seen steady growth in most urban areas thanks to companies like Ola, and Uber. Nowadays people prefer hiring cars more than before. If you want to be on the right side of this growth, think to start a car rental business in your locality.
59. Solar Shop Business in India
More and more people in India are looking for solar energy as an alternative to their electricity needs. The incumbent government is also promoting the solar business aggressively. The solar business is bound to grow in the future. Therefore, opening a solar shop is a potentially profitable business with low capital.
60. Juice Bar
This is yet another profitable business that can be set up in India with minimum capital. You could also sell packaged juices available in the market with your fresh juice. However, the place you choose to set up is crucial to the success of the business. Also, an exciting and engaging signage design for your juice bar will help you win customers. You can also buy a franchise of a reputed juice bar brand, if not interested in starting from scratch.
Final Words:
Business ideas can be many. However, the key to success depends on you and how you implement these ideas.
Since owning a business is both a major lifestyle and a time commitment, make sure your choice is one you see bringing you both profit and joy for the foreseeable future.
There are many ways of funding your small business. If you find you need some extra funds, you can use your credit card carefully in this regard. You can also approach banks if your small business needs bigger finance.
It may seem daunting to leave your 9-to-5 grind and start your own business, but by doing so, you are giving yourself a newfound level of freedom while doing something that feeds your passion. DO NOT choose one of our list of business ideas just because it is high in demand. You should have an undying interest in it. It will be mindless for you to start a tech tutorial as it has a high demand, while your passion lies in cooking!
