Are you looking for on-demand business ideas that can prosper in the future? Check out our list of the top future business ideas from 2020 to 2030 here!
Every successful business starts with a great plan. And when you start a business, you should choose something that you are passionate about and know how to do. Passion and motivation are important in leading your business to success because they help you endure obstacles along your journey. But most of all, choose a business that is sure to survive in the years to come.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a great impact on consumer behavior, putting up a traditional business will not be a good idea. You need to adapt to the new changes, mostly by leveraging the internet.
Here, we have compiled the most profitable future business ideas in 2021. For a more futuristic outlook, we also included the best future business ideas for 2030. Our list also contains various work from home money-making ideas, quarantine side-hustle ideas, and international business ideas. So keep reading to know more!
#1 Online, eCommerce, and Electronic business ideas (e-business)
Source: Pexels
The expected short-term effects of the COVID pandemic are already becoming the new normal. The majority of customers are now shifting to online shopping and services which triggered the growth of the digital and eCommerce industry.
eCommerce encompasses the sale of goods online to the end consumer with fashion as the largest segment of the market. The revenue is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 6.29% from 2021-2025 and users are expected to increase to 4,913.9 million by 2025. Also, millions of people turned to online businesses during the pandemic due to loss of employment and plan to continue even after the pandemic has ended.
Investment Range to Start
- $50 – $3,000
Niche Market and Business Cases
- Etsy business ideas
- Amazon business ideas
- Dropshipping business ideas
- Shopify business ideas
- Online reseller
- Online bookkeeping
- Freelance copywriter
- Graphic designer
- E-commerce inventory management
- Transcription service
- Online currency exchange
Why Choose This Business
- Lucrative business
- Highly piques your interest
- You can start it as a side hustle
- You can work anywhere
- You don’t need a physical shop
- Greater autonomy and more freedom
- Flexible schedule
#2 Digital Marketing Business Ideas
Source: Pexels
Digital marketing is among the in-demand and latest business ideas that involve promoting brands to potential customers through the internet or digital communication. It includes web-based, social media, email, and text advertising. The global market for digital marketing is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.3% from 2020-2027.
Successful brand promotion is among the crucial goals that every company should achieve because, without brand awareness, they won’t have any sales. For industries where the competition is a tight one, brands would be willing to spend a huge amount of money on digital marketing services. This allows brands to reach more customers and rise above the competition faster.
Investment Range to Start
- < $70,000 (Digital marketing agencies)
Niche Market and Business Cases
- Lead generation for small businesses
- Affiliate marketing
- Influencer marketing
- Content writing/content creation
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO) services
- Link building outreach
Why Choose This Business
- Hot new business ideas
- Work from home (for freelancers)
- In demand to small and medium-sized businesses
#3 Technology Business Ideas, IT Business Ideas, and Computer Business Ideas
Source: Pexels
Technology is always changing and the ability to adapt to these changes is among the basic foundations of a successful business. Almost every aspect of our daily life uses technology and it is impossible to live without it in this fast-moving world. The digital transformation market is even projected to grow at a CAGR of 16.5% by 2025.
Also, enterprise data is rapidly increasing and business process automation is growing in several industries like transportation, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail. This fueled the need for more effective tools for strategic planning which is also driving the demand for enterprise software and services. In fact, the global market for business software and services is expected to grow at an annual rate of 11.3% CAGR from 2021 to 2028.
Investment Range to Start
- $30,000 – $150,000
Niche Market and Business Cases
- Remote business ideas
- Website business ideas
- Software business ideas
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- App developer
- Artificial Intelligence (.e.g Chatbots)
- Internet infrastructure
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Cloud migration as a service
- DDoS cyber-attack prevention security company
- Privacy protection firm
- Wallet payment solution
- IT service and support
- Mobile application testing services
- Fitness tech (e.g. fitness mobile apps)
- Robotics
- Nanosatellites (top future business idea 2020-2030)
- Biometric sensor and security company
- Smart apparel
Why Choose This Business
- Successful business ideas
- Businesses that make money right away
- Innovative startup business ideas
- Big business ideas
- Very high demand
- Great B2B business ideas
- Among the fastest-growing industries
- Market niches are expected to grow faster compared to other industries
#4 B2B Business Ideas
Source: Pexels
Most entrepreneurs focus on B2C businesses but there is another more profitable and stable way to earn money: a B2B company. By offering products and services to other businesses, you can create your place in the B2B landscape where you’ll never run out of potential customers.
Companies don’t always have the capacity and resources to do every aspect of their business on their own. They will often hire a third-party company to finish those tasks from B2B businesses.
Investment Range to Start
- $500 – $150,000
Niche Market and Business Cases
- Manufacturing business ideas
- Supply business ideas
- Call center operator
- Landscaping or building maintenance
- Virtual assistant services
- IT services
- Legal services
- Event management
- Printing services
- Venture capital brokerage
- Bookkeeping services
- Employee recruitment services
- Social media consultant
- Digital marketing
- Business consultant
Why Choose This Business
- Scalable business ideas
- High-profit business ideas
- Constantly growing market
- High demand
- Can be easy to launch
#5 Service Business Ideas
Source: Pexels
The services industry ranges from maintenance services and home care services to professional services for businesses. Businesses in this industry help build a more economically advanced society compared to those that only rely on the agriculture industry. The market for the professional business industry alone is projected to reach $7.06 trillion at a 7% CAGR by 2025.
Investment Range to Start
- $500 – $20,000
Niche Market and Business Cases
- Logistics business ideas
- Finance business ideas
- Printing business ideas
- Research, design, promotional, and consulting services
- Consultant (business, marketing, social media, human resources, communication, leadership, etc.)
- Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services
- Legal services
- Public relations
- Professional organizer
- Cleaning service
- Home care service
- Translation service
- Lawn care service
- Real estate agent
- Pet sitting
- Virtual interior design consulting
- Online therapy
- Micro-mobility services
- Box subscription services
- Massage therapist
Why Choose This Business
- Potential business ideas
- Lucrative business
- Scalable
- Low capital
- Some are easy to start and can be done from home
- Professional services are in demand to B2B businesses
#6 Eco Business Ideas and Renewable Energy Business Ideas
Source: Pexels
A green or eco-friendly business commits to a more sustainable future that strives to create a positive impact on the community and the environment. Nowadays, more consumers worldwide are willing to invest more in sustainable products. This was proven in Nielsen’s study. Starting a green business allows you to build consumer loyalty in the future as more consumers are becoming environmentally conscious.
Investment Range to Start
- $10,000 – $500,000 (can be more, depending on your business’s size)
Niche Market and Business Cases
- Wind energy
- Biofuel production
- Solar power
- Geothermal developer (power plants)
- Plastic alternatives
- Greenhouse gas auditor
- Composting business
- Eco restaurants
- Technology refurbishing/recycling
- Eco-friendly kids toys and fashion designs
- Selling bicycles and scooters
Why Choose This Business
- Up and coming business ideas
- Viable business ideas
- A business that can make you rich
- Rapidly growing market
- They deliver more than profit (you help in creating a better world)
#7 Agriculture Business Ideas and Village Business Ideas
Source: Pexels
Among the key contributors to the global GDP is the agriculture industry. Aside from farm operations, agribusiness or agricultural business also belongs to the agriculture industry which is responsible for distributing and manufacturing agricultural products. With the global population expected to rise to 10 billion in 2050, the food demand is projected to grow at a 7% CAGR by 2025.
Investment Range to Start
- $500 – $50,000
Niche Market and Business Cases
- Small business ideas for rural areas
- Vegetable business ideas
- Vertical farming
- Precision farming
- Apiculture
- Cultivating microgreens
- Vegan food sales
Why Choose This Business
- Long term business ideas
- Great local business ideas
- Environmentally-friendly business ideas
- A large and fast-growing market
- Very profitable
- Low investment
#8 Tourism and Hospitality Business Ideas
Source: Pexels
As the travel and tourism market is increasing at a projected CAGR of 24.05% by 2025, the hospitality market worldwide is also expected to grow. Technological development and economic growth in various societies are also driving the hospitality market. Hotel segments alone are forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 24.57% from 2021-2025.
Investment Range to Start
- $10,000 – $500,000
Niche Market and Business Cases
- Catering business ideas
- Coffee shop business ideas
- Space tourism
- Boat and helicopter tourism
- 360-degree photography
- Home-sharing
Why Choose This Business
- Fast-growing market
- Emerging markets are growing faster
- Stable economic growth in developed countries ensures the success of your business
- The tourism and hospitality industries are among the most secure industries
#9 Beauty Business Ideas and Cosmetics Business Ideas
Source: Pexels
These are great business ideas for women who want to increase the self-confidence of other people by making them feel beautiful. The cosmetics industry alone is a multibillion-dollar industry that is continuously increasing which gives a promising opportunity for beauty or cosmetic entrepreneurs. The global market size for cosmetics is expected to grow at a 5.3% CAGR from 2021-2027.
Investment Range to Start
- $500 – $500,000
Niche Market and Business Cases
- Salon
- Brow, lash, and nail technician
- Skincare spa and clinic
- Freelance hair or makeup artist
- Freelance esthetician
- Beauty blog
- Cosmetics retailing
Why Choose This Business
- Popular and trendy business ideas
- There is a growing consciousness about external beauty even in men
- Cosmetics are integral parts of the daily lives of individuals
- Can be home-based
- Can be for short-term or long-term businesses
- Low investment
#10 Outdoor Business Ideas
Source: Unsplash
If you love staying outdoors and doing physical work, then an outdoor business is perfect. Some outdoor businesses are also great business ideas for kids including 12-year-olds like lawn care, window cleaning, and pool cleaning. Not all people have the time to clean and maintain their own homes, especially the elderly. So if you have busy neighbors who need help in cleaning their homes, you can offer them your services.
Investment Range to Start
- $1,000 – $20,000
Niche Market and Business Cases
- Lawn care home business
- Yard maintenance
- Pool cleaning services
- Pest control services
- Window cleaning services
- Deck maintenance/deck builder
- Gutter cleaning
- Roof repair
- Chimney sweeper
- Organizing a children’s summer camp
- Adventure club
- Hiking guide
- Boat rental
Why Choose This Business
- Low budget business
- Quick business ideas
- Unusual and crazy business ideas
- Scalable (can start as a home-based business)
- Can be done part-time
#11 Sports Business Ideas
Source: Pexels
Do you love sports? You can generate money from your passion. These are ideal business ideas for men who want to become great entrepreneurs.
The sports market is being driven by the increasing number of internet-accessible devices like tablets and smartphones. This increased the number of online viewers of sports content, especially in these times where contactless sporting events are preferred. The sports market size is projected to rise from $388.3 billion in 2020 to $599.9 billion by 2025 and $820 billion by 2030.
Investment Range to Start
- $10,000 – $50,000
Niche Market and Business Cases
- Sports radio
- Sports photography
- Sports filming and videography
- Sportswriting
- Personal trainer
- PR for athletes
- Sports camp organizer
- Youth sports leagues
- Sporting goods store
- Athletic fundraising
Why Choose This Business
- Scalable
- The sports industry is a large industry that cannot be monopolized by a single corporation
- There is an increasing number of online viewers
- Global turn-over of sport-related activities are comparable to that of food and automotive industries
#12 Fitness / Health and Wellness Business Ideas
Source: Pexels
Being fit as people reach old age is important to maintain good health and reduce the risk of diseases. Thus, fitness as well as health and wellness business ideas would be perfect small business ideas for over 50.
The revenue of the health and wellness market globally is projected to rise from $4.5 million in 2018 to more than $6.5 million in 2026 at a 4.5% CAGR. The market in the Asia Pacific will be the one to influence the growth of the market immensely. On the other hand, the fitness market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 1.90% from 2021 to 2024.
Investment Range to Start
- $10,000 – $100,000
Niche Market and Business Cases
- Fitness and nutrition apps (mobile and desktop)
- Fitness wristwear with sensors
- Activity trackers that can measure/analyze physical activity and body functions
- Smart eyewear and clothes that can measure body functions
- Online fitness classes
- Fitness instructor
- Yoga instructor
- Premium vitamin and supplements seller
- Fitness blogger
Why Choose This Business
- Constantly growing market
- Short-term or long-term
- Can be done online
- Large market
- The industry is one of the world’s fast-growing markets
#13 Food Business Ideas
Source: Pexels
Food businesses would be perfect business ideas for couples who want to start a small business with low investment. The food market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 3.14% CAGR from 2021-2025 with the confectionery and snacks segment having the largest share.
Investment Range to Start
- $500 – $50,000
Niche Market and Business Cases
- Food truck
- Alternative protein food products
- Healthy or organic food business
- Small scale food processing business
- Online selling of food items
- Home-made food cooking and delivery service
- Honey production business
Why Choose This Business
- You can easily start with low investment
- Demand for food is high and growth is constant
- It is not easily affected by outside factors so it is a very safe business to start
- Various opportunities to choose from
#14 Clothing Business Ideas
Source: Pexels
Closing businesses are recommended business ideas for beginners. The apparel market is categorized into four main types: menswear, womenswear, childrenswear, and sportswear. Womenswear is the best-selling category worldwide followed by sportswear. The global market is forecasted to grow from $1.5 trillion in 2020 to approximately $2.25 trillion by 2025. This only proves that the demand for clothing will rise continuously worldwide.
Investment Range to Start
- $500 – $50,000
Niche Market and Business Cases
- Fashion business ideas (fashion designing)
- T-shirt printing business
- Tie-dye shirt designer
- Children and adult apparel designing
- Embroidery
- Rental costumes
- Online clothing store
- Jeans and leather garment
- Boutique store
- Bridal ship
- Crochet knitting
- Jersey customization business
- Uniform making
- Sportswear shop
- Maternity wear production
- Ladies top making
- Leggings making
Why Choose This Business
- Low investment
- Can be done online or through a physical shop
- You can keep up with trendy fashion ideas
- Scalable (you can start it as a small or even home-based business)
- Rising global demand for clothing and shoes
#15 Medical Business Ideas
Source: Pexels
The increasing number of cases of chronic conditions like cancer, diabetes, and heart diseases around the globe has expanded the healthcare market. This also increased the demand for smarter medical devices used for diagnosis and treatment. The medical devices market is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2020 to 2027. On the other hand, the global smart healthcare market size is expected to grow at a 16.2% CAGR through 2027.
Investment Range to Start
- $15,000 and above (relatively large amount of capital investment and funding)
Niche Market and Business Cases
- Selling PPE (Personal Protection Equipment)
- Online medical supply and equipment provider
- Blockchain health record digitization and sharing company
- Virtual medical appointment system
- DNA analysis
- Stem cell therapy
- Nanotechnology in medicine
- Cryobank
- Veterinarian business
Why Choose This Business
- Booming industry
- High and steady demand (not a seasonal business)
- Large market
- Highly profitable
#16 Art Business Ideas
Source: Pexels
Small art businesses would be perfect business ideas for youth and highschool students who want to make money from their creative skills.
People buy art because they appreciate them. Some want a more artistic way of preserving their precious moments through paintings and professionally taken photographs. In fact, the online art market worldwide is forecasted to grow to $9.32 billion by 2024 from $4.82 billion in 2019. Also, the art supplies market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2020-2030.
Investment Range to Start
- $1,000 – $50,000
Niche Market and Business Cases
- Website design
- Caricature
- T-shirt design
- Card design (greeting cards, invitation cards, etc.)
- Art supply store
- Woodworking
- Portrait photography
- Airbrush arts
- Interior design
- Painting
Why Choose This Business
- Creative business ideas
- Cheapest business to start
- Unique business ideas
- Lucrative business (given that you choose your niche market properly)
- You just need to rely mostly on your artist skills
- Flexible work schedule
#17 Car Business Ideas and Transport Business Ideas
Source: Pexels
Automobiles have become essential parts of the global communication system due to civilization. The global market size for automotive motors is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% by 2025. From $20,321 million in 2020, it is projected to increase to $25,719 million by 2025.
Wherever you go, vehicles are heavily used to complete daily activities which give small car business owners great opportunities to rise in the industry. From car sales to auto repair services, you can expect a very high profit. Thanks to the continuous increase in vehicle sales.
Investment Range to Start
- $20,000 – $2 million
Niche Market and Business Cases
- Car services (car rental, medical transportation, equipment transportation, courier, errand, towing, airport transport, grocery transport, school bus, packers and movers, etc.)
- Rideshare driver
- Electric car
- Online car dealership
- Car charging stations
- Auto repair business
- Car wash business
- Car battery restoration or reconditioning business
- Headlight restoration business
- Car accessories store
Why Choose This Business
- Highly profitable
- For car services, you only need a reliable vehicle
- The automobile industry is a major economic and industrial force worldwide
- Large market (no economy doesn’t have a large automobile industry)
#18 Education Business Ideas
Source: Pexels
For those who are looking for business ideas for college students, an education business would be worth trying. Education plays an important role in shaping a better society with skilled citizens who can help develop the economy.
Great efforts are being made to continuously improve the quality of education. In fact, there is an expected growth of 19.9% CAGR in the global education technology market size through 2027. On the other hand, global e-learning is projected to grow at a 14.6% CAGR by 2026.
Investment Range to Start
- $500 – $10,000
Niche Market and Business Cases
- Online teaching
- Homeschooling products and services
- Educational toys
- Selling lesson plans
- Online English teacher
- Online course
- Skills development center
- Playschool
- Software training
- Online library
- Bookstore
- Education blogger
Why Choose This Business
- Short term business ideas
- Low investment
- Profitable
- Can be done at home
- Large market
- Minimal equipment (tutoring/online teacher)
#19 Small Shop Business Ideas and Other Small Businesses
Source: Pexels
There are a lot of business ideas for young entrepreneurs that are assured to boom in the future. Below is an overview of the expected growth of a few small business ideas on our list:
- Commercial drones: CAGR of 57.5% by 2028
- Coworking spaces: CAGR of 21.3% from 2021 onwards
- 3D printing: CAGR of 25.8% by 2026
- eSports: CAGR of 24.4% by 2027
Investment Range to Start
- $1,000 – $20,000
Niche Market and Business Cases
- Drones for security, agriculture, surveying land, and search and rescue operations
- Coworking Spaces
- P2P lending platform
- Virtual event planning platform
- Holographic theater
- Portable/Powermat charging station for phones
- 3D printing
- eSports (electronic sports)
- Water delivery to households and commercial locations
Why Choose This Business
- Low investment
- Scalable
- Demand exists wherever you go
- Can be operated at home
- Profitable
- Low risk
#20 Home Business Ideas
Source: Pexels
Are you looking for business ideas for a housewife? Starting a home-based business would be perfect. This is also great for students who want to earn extra income during this pandemic.
Again, being a regular employee is not something that everyone would want after this COVID pandemic. Everyone is now taking advantage of the power of the internet and prefers to stay home for their own safety. This means that home-based businesses have a big potential to survive in the future.
Investment Range to Start
- $50 – $7,000
Niche Market and Business Cases
- Online business ideas and eCommerce business ideas (check #1 on our list)
- Digital marketing (check #2 on our list)
- Service business (check #5 on our list)
- Party clown
- Dance instructor
- Hairstylist
- Dog groomer
- Baker
- Jam seller
- Florist
Why Choose This Business
- Easy businesses to start
- Low investment business
- Cool business ideas
- Work from home
- Flexible work-life balance
- Scalable
Also Read:
-
Manufacturing Business Ideas
-
Small Town Business Ideas and Village Business Ideas
-
Beauty Business Ideas
-
Printing Business Ideas
Conclusion
As we’ve mentioned earlier, the way of living during the COVID-19 pandemic has become the new normal. So if you want a business that will last long in the future, choose one that can also meet the needs of “new normal” consumers. Hopefully, our list of medium-scale business ideas to large-scale business ideas was able to help you find your ideal but profitable business.
