15 Best Low Investment Business Ideas in India

Starting a business today feels different than it did five years ago. Back then, you needed big money, complicated paperwork, and years to see results. Now? You can launch something meaningful with just a few thousand rupees and your laptop.

India’s business environment has changed dramatically. The government wants more entrepreneurs. Digital tools make everything faster. Customers buy online without thinking twice. This creates perfect conditions for smart business ideas that don’t break the bank.

But here’s what nobody tells you – most low investment businesses fail not because of money, but because people pick the wrong idea for their skills and market.

Hence, we have curated the list of 15 proven low investment business ideas that people are using to build profitable companies in 2025.

Tip: If you have already decided the business idea for you but don’t have enough money, then we recommend to visit LenDenClub.com, India’s most reliable p2p lending platform. Here you can join as a borrower and get required money from different lenders. 2Cr+ users like you are already using this platform.

Why Low Investment Businesses Work Better?

Small businesses in India are crushing it right now. According to recent surveys, 78% of Indian small businesses grew last year, and 86% expect to grow this year. That’s not luck – that’s opportunity.

Three things make 2025 special for low-investment businesses:

Technology levels the playing field. You can build a website, manage customers, and process payments without expensive software or technical teams.

Digital customers are everywhere. India’s e-commerce market hit $125 billion in 2024 and will reach $345 billion by 2030. People from small towns are shopping online more than ever.

Government support is real. New policies help small businesses get loans, register faster, and pay fewer taxes in the early years.

The catch? You still need to pick the right business for your situation.

Let’s look at business ideas that actually work.

If you are specifically looking for businesses that help you earn side income, then it is worth checking our guide about 30 Best Side Income ideas.

List of Best Low Investment Business Ideas

1. Digital Marketing Agency

Every business needs customers online. Most business owners don’t know how to get them. This gap creates huge opportunities for digital marketing agencies.

What you do: Help businesses get more customers through social media, Google ads, and content creation. You become their marketing department.

Investment needed: ₹15,000 – ₹25,000 for basic tools, website setup, and initial marketing materials.

Why it works now: The digital advertising industry will grow 50% by end of 2025. Companies are spending more on online marketing than ever before.

Getting started: Pick one service first – maybe Facebook ads for local restaurants. Learn it really well. Get three paying clients. Then expand to other services.

Realistic earnings: ₹20,000 – ₹50,000 per month after 6 months of consistent work.

2. Content Writing and Copywriting

Words sell products. Good words sell more products. Companies know this, but many can’t write well enough to convert browsers into buyers.

What you do: Write website content, product descriptions, email campaigns, and social media posts that make people want to buy.

Investment needed: ₹5,000 – ₹10,000 for basic tools and portfolio setup.

Skills you need: Understanding how people make buying decisions. Ability to research industries quickly.

Finding clients: Start with small e-commerce stores. They need product descriptions constantly. Offer to rewrite 5 products for free to show your value.

Growth path: Many writers earn ₹15,000 – ₹40,000 monthly after building a client base. Top copywriters charge ₹2,000+ per email campaign.

3. Virtual Assistant Services

Busy entrepreneurs need help with daily tasks. They’ll pay good money for someone reliable who can handle emails, scheduling, research, and customer service.

What you offer: Administrative support, social media management, basic bookkeeping, travel planning, and customer communication.

Investment needed: ₹8,000 – ₹15,000 for communication tools and training materials.

Best clients: Online coaches, consultants, and small business owners who are too busy for routine tasks.

Success tip: Specialize in one industry first. Learn their specific needs. You’ll charge higher rates as an expert than as a generalist.

4. Dropshipping Business

Sell products without buying inventory. When someone orders from your website, you purchase from a supplier who ships directly to your customer.

Investment needed: ₹15,000 – ₹50,000 for website setup, initial marketing, and business registration.

Product selection matters: Research trending products on social media. Check Google Trends for rising searches. Avoid oversaturated markets like generic phone accessories.

Platform choice: Start with Shopify or WooCommerce. Both handle payments and shipping calculations automatically.

Marketing strategy: Focus on social media ads and influencer partnerships. Traditional SEO takes too long for testing products quickly.

Reality check: Profit margins are thin (10-20%). Success comes from testing many products quickly and scaling winners aggressively.

5. Print-on-Demand Products

Create custom designs for t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, and other products. They’re only printed when someone orders them.

Investment needed: ₹10,000 – ₹20,000 for design tools, initial samples, and marketing setup.

Design approach: Focus on specific niches like funny quotes for engineers, motivational messages for fitness enthusiasts, or regional pride designs.

Best platforms: Printful integrates with Shopify. They handle printing and shipping automatically.

Scaling strategy: Once you find winning designs, create variations. If a cat lover design works, create versions for different cat breeds.

6. Online Reselling

Buy products at wholesale prices and sell them at retail prices through online marketplaces.

Investment needed: ₹20,000 – ₹50,000 for initial inventory and platform fees.

Product research: Use tools like Jungle Scout to find products with good demand but low competition on Amazon.

Supplier connections: Start with local wholesalers before exploring international options. Build relationships for better pricing and terms.

Platform strategy: Begin with Amazon and Flipkart for reach, then build your own website for higher margins.

7. Home-Based Catering

Cook food at home and deliver it to customers. Perfect for people who love cooking and want flexible schedules.

Investment needed: ₹25,000 – ₹50,000 for kitchen equipment upgrades, FSSAI registration, and initial marketing.

Legal requirements: FSSAI registration is mandatory. Fines can reach ₹5 lakh for operating without it.

Target customers: Office workers who want homemade lunch, families planning small parties, working professionals who don’t have time to cook.

Menu strategy: Start with 3-5 dishes you make perfectly. Expand only after mastering your initial offerings.

Delivery solution: Partner with local delivery services or hire dedicated delivery staff as you grow.

8. Cloud Kitchen

Operate a restaurant that only delivers food, with no dine-in space. Much lower overhead than traditional restaurants.

Investment needed: ₹50,000 – ₹75,000 for commercial kitchen setup, equipment, and licensing.

Location strategy: Choose areas with high delivery demand but lower rent costs. Kitchen location doesn’t need to be prime real estate.

Menu development: Focus on food that travels well. Avoid dishes that get soggy or cold quickly.

Platform partnerships: List on Zomato, Swiggy, and other delivery apps. Each platform has different customer preferences.

Growth potential: India has over 20,000 cloud kitchens operating as of 2024, expected to double by 2026.

9. Home Bakery

Bake custom cakes, cookies, and desserts for special occasions. High margins on specialized items.

Investment needed: ₹15,000 – ₹30,000 for professional baking equipment and ingredient supplies.

Specialization options: Wedding cakes, birthday themes, healthy baking, or specific dietary needs like vegan or sugar-free.

Order management: Use WhatsApp Business for orders and showcase your work on Instagram.

Pricing strategy: Custom cakes can cost ₹500+ per kg compared to ₹200-300 for regular bakery cakes.

Market size: India’s bakery market will grow at 8.5% CAGR, reaching $12.39 billion by 2026.

10. Online Tutoring and Coaching

Teach subjects you know well to students through video calls. Flexible schedule and growing demand for personalized education.

Investment needed: ₹5,000 – ₹15,000 for video equipment, learning materials, and platform subscriptions.

Subject selection: High-demand subjects include English conversation, programming, exam preparation, and skill-based training like digital marketing or data analysis.

Platform options: Create profiles on Vedantu, Chegg, or build your own student base through social media.

Pricing structure: Group classes (₹200-500 per student), individual sessions (₹500-2000 per hour), or course packages.

Success factors: Consistent results for students, good reviews, and systematic curriculum development.

11. Fitness and Wellness Coaching

Help people achieve health goals through personalized workout plans, nutrition guidance, and motivation.

Investment needed: ₹10,000 – ₹25,000 for certification, equipment for demonstrations, and app development.

Service offerings: Online personal training, group fitness classes, nutrition planning, or specialized programs like weight loss or strength building.

Target audience: Working professionals who can’t get to gyms, people with specific health goals, or those who prefer private guidance.

Technology setup: Use video calling for sessions, fitness apps for tracking progress, and social media for motivation.

Revenue potential: Online fitness coaching can generate ₹25,000 – ₹75,000 monthly with steady client base.

12. Consulting Services

Share your professional expertise with businesses that need specific knowledge but can’t afford full-time experts.

Investment needed: ₹8,000 – ₹20,000 for professional website, marketing materials, and initial networking.

Expertise areas: Digital transformation, HR processes, financial planning, marketing strategy, or industry-specific knowledge.

Client acquisition: Start with your professional network. Offer free initial consultations to demonstrate value.

Service delivery: Most consulting happens through video calls, reports, and strategic planning sessions.

Pricing approach: Hourly rates (₹1,500-5,000 per hour) or project-based fees (₹15,000-100,000+ per project).

13. Handmade Products

Create unique products by hand and sell them online to customers who value craftsmanship over mass production.

Investment needed: ₹20,000 – ₹40,000 for materials, tools, and initial inventory.

Product categories: Jewelry, home décor, clothing accessories, skincare products, or customized gifts.

Market positioning: Focus on quality, uniqueness, and story behind your products. Customers pay more for authentic handmade items.

Sales channels: Etsy for international reach, Instagram for local customers, and craft fairs for direct sales.

Scaling strategy: Document your process so you can train others to help with production while maintaining quality standards.

14. Small-Scale Manufacturing

Produce simple products with basic equipment that have consistent local demand.

Investment needed: ₹40,000 – ₹80,000 for equipment, raw materials, and workspace setup.

Product ideas: Soap and sanitizers (₹20,000-100,000 investment), candle making, or food processing like pickle or spice production.

Market research: Identify products with steady demand in your area. Talk to local retailers about what sells consistently.

Quality control: Establish clear processes for consistent product quality. This determines repeat customers and referrals.

Distribution: Start with local stores and markets before expanding to online sales.

15. Mobile App Development

Create mobile applications for businesses or consumers. High demand as every business wants an app.

Investment needed: ₹25,000 – ₹50,000 for development tools, testing devices, and marketing.

Skill development: Learn popular frameworks like React Native or Flutter that work for both Android and iOS.

Client types: Local businesses wanting customer apps, entrepreneurs with app ideas, or companies needing internal tools.

Service options: Custom app development, app maintenance, or creating template apps for specific industries.

Market opportunity: India’s app development industry will reach $2.3 billion by 2026.

How to Choose the Right Business with Low Investment?

The best low-investment business for you depends on three things:

• Your existing skills. Use what you already know. A marketing professional should start a digital marketing agency, not a food business.
• Your available time. Service businesses need consistent daily attention. Product businesses allow more flexible schedules.
• Your local market. Some ideas work better in big cities, others in smaller towns. Research your area’s specific needs.

Don’t pick a business just because it is trendy. Pick one where you can provide real value to customers who will pay for that value.

Getting Started: Your First 90 Days

Days 1-30: Research your chosen business thoroughly. Talk to potential customers. Understand their real problems and how much they’d pay to solve them.

Days 31-60: Set up the basics – business registration, basic website or social media presence, and initial inventory or tools.

Days 61-90: Launch with a small test. Get your first 3-5 customers. Learn what works and what doesn’t. Adjust based on real feedback.

Most people skip the research phase and jump straight to setup. That’s why many businesses fail. Understand your customers first, then build what they actually want.

Conclusion

Low-investment businesses are not get-rich-quick schemes. They are real opportunities for people willing to work smart and consistently serve customers well.

The businesses listed here work because they solve real problems for people willing to pay for solutions. Pick one that matches your skills, commit to learning and improving, and treat your customers like the valuable people they are.

Which of these ideas resonates with your situation? Start researching that one today. The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.