Here is how to start a business by type: every step by step guide on the site, grouped by the kind of business. Each guide shows the approximate cost in India and in the US, the licences you need, the first steps, a simple plan and name ideas, so you can compare a few options before you choose.
If you are not sure what to start yet, the idea finder filters more than 200 ideas by budget and place. Once you have chosen, the general guide on how to start a business covers registration, money and your first customers.
Food and drink
- BakeryIndia ₹41,500 to ₹12 lakhUS $1,850 to $82,000
- CateringIndia ₹1 lakh to ₹13 lakhUS $9,500 to $71,000
- ChocolateIndia ₹60,000 to ₹8 lakhUS $2,000 to $55,000
- Coffee shopIndia ₹10 lakh to ₹35 lakhUS $60,000 to $250,000
- Food truckIndia ₹7 lakh to ₹20 lakhUS $50,000 to $150,000
- Home foodIndia ₹25,000 to ₹1.5 lakhUS $1,000 to $5,000
- RestaurantIndia ₹9.5 lakh to ₹45 lakhUS $122,000 to $495,000
- Tea stallIndia ₹50,000 to ₹10 lakhUS $5,000 to $150,000
- Bottled waterIndia ₹15 lakh to ₹1 croreUS $100,000 to $500,000
Shops and selling
- Grocery storeIndia ₹3 lakh to ₹17 lakhUS $35,000 to $180,000
- Medical storeIndia ₹5 lakh to ₹20 lakhUS $250,000 to $1 million
- Mobile shopIndia ₹6.2 lakh to ₹28.8 lakhUS $35,000 to $167,000
- Hardware storeIndia ₹5 lakh to ₹25 lakhUS $50,000 to $250,000
- Stationery shopIndia ₹2.8 lakh to ₹11 lakhUS $21,000 to $78,000
- BookshopIndia ₹5 lakh to ₹20 lakhUS $30,000 to $150,000
- BoutiqueIndia ₹1 lakh to ₹14 lakhUS $10,000 to $100,000
- ClothingIndia ₹85,000 to ₹6 lakhUS $4,800 to $32,000
- SareeIndia ₹25,000 to ₹10 lakhUS $2,000 to $20,000 (online, for Indian diaspora buyers)
- JewelryIndia ₹50,000 to ₹4 lakh (home or online)US $2,000 to $12,000
- Flower shopIndia ₹1 lakh to ₹8 lakhUS $10,000 to $90,000
- PerfumeIndia ₹1.4 lakh to ₹10.1 lakhUS $5,300 to $43,500
- WholesaleIndia ₹2 lakh to ₹50 lakhUS $10,000 to $250,000
- ResellingIndia ₹5,000 to ₹1.5 lakhUS $300 to $8,000
- Vending machineIndia ₹1.5 lakh to ₹10 lakhUS $4,000 to $25,000
- ATMIndia ₹2 lakh to ₹6 lakh (site partner)US $4,000 to $15,000 per machine
- Auto dealershipIndia ₹28 lakh to ₹2 croreUS $150,000 to $1 million
- Petrol pumpIndia ₹20 lakh to over ₹1 crore, plus landUS $400,000 to over $2 million
Services for homes and people
- CleaningIndia ₹35,000 to ₹1.5 lakhUS $2,000 to $7,000
- LaundromatIndia ₹4 lakh to ₹25 lakhUS $100,000 to $600,000
- SalonIndia ₹1 lakh to ₹20 lakhUS $20,000 to $250,000
- GymIndia ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakhUS $30,000 to $500,000
- DaycareIndia ₹1 lakh to ₹15 lakhUS $5,000 to $300,000
- Home careIndia ₹2 lakh to ₹10 lakhUS $35,000 to $140,000
- Dog walkingIndia ₹13,000 to ₹73,000US $900 to $5,750
- HandymanIndia ₹30,000 to ₹3 lakhUS $3,000 to $30,000
- HVACIndia ₹1.5 lakh to ₹10 lakhUS $25,000 to $90,000
- LandscapingIndia ₹1 lakh to ₹4.5 lakhUS $4,500 to $26,000
- Junk removalIndia ₹1 lakh to ₹8 lakhUS $5,000 to $60,000
- Car washIndia ₹4 lakh to ₹15 lakhUS $40,000 to $150,000
- Car rentalIndia ₹8 lakh to ₹40 lakhUS $40,000 to $200,000
- Security agencyIndia ₹3 lakh to ₹15 lakhUS $15,000 to $80,000
Skills, office and online
- FreelanceIndia ₹61,000 to ₹3.4 lakhUS $1,700 to $12,500
- ConsultingIndia ₹20,000 to ₹3 lakhUS $1,000 to $15,000
- BookkeepingIndia ₹25,000 to ₹1.5 lakhUS $1,000 to $8,000
- Digital marketing agencyIndia ₹50,000 to ₹3 lakhUS $1,000 to $8,000
- PhotographyIndia ₹1.5 lakh to ₹6 lakhUS $3,000 to $15,000
- Interior designIndia ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakhUS $3,000 to $15,000
- Event planningIndia ₹50,000 to ₹10 lakhUS $2,000 to $30,000
- Travel agencyIndia ₹50,000 to ₹10 lakhUS $1,000 to $50,000
- NonprofitIndia ₹26,000 to ₹1.9 lakh to registerUS $1,000 to $8,900 to register
Make and sell
- CraftIndia ₹10,500 to ₹1.2 lakhUS $550 to $5,300
- CandleIndia ₹15,000 to ₹1.5 lakhUS $500 to $5,000
- T shirtIndia ₹7,000 to ₹3.2 lakhUS $350 to $12,500
- 3D printingIndia ₹60,000 to ₹4 lakhUS $1,500 to $10,000
Farming
- Dairy farmIndia ₹10 lakh to ₹25 lakh (10 animals, without land)US $60,000 to $200,000 (without land)
- Mushroom farmingIndia ₹1.3 lakh to ₹10 lakhUS $6,000 to $53,500
- Organic farmingIndia ₹2.2 lakh to ₹13.6 lakhUS $12,500 to $111,000
Property, transport and trade
- ConstructionIndia ₹8 lakh to ₹30 lakhUS $30,000 to $150,000
- Property managementIndia ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakhUS $7,500 to $36,000
- Short term rentalIndia ₹1.9 lakh to ₹9 lakhUS $10,700 to $39,500
- Storage unitIndia ₹26 lakh to ₹3.4 croreUS $312,000 to $3.4 million
- TransportIndia ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakhUS $15,000 to $80,000
- TruckingIndia ₹5 lakh to ₹15 lakh (financed truck)US $20,000 to $60,000 (financed truck)
- Import exportIndia ₹1.5 lakh to ₹10 lakhUS $7,000 to $55,000
- SolarIndia ₹5 lakh to ₹27 lakhUS $55,000 to $245,000
How to compare business types
- Money you can risk. Start with a type whose lower cost range fits your savings, without borrowing for everything.
- Licences. Food, medicine, fuel, security and childcare need more permits and inspections than service work from home.
- Your time. A shop needs fixed hours. Freelance and online work can start part time.
- Demand near you. Count similar businesses in your area and ask ten possible buyers what they pay today.
Then write a one page plan with the free business plan builder.
Questions people ask
Which type of business is easiest to start?
Service businesses run from home, such as freelance work, bookkeeping, cleaning or home food, usually need the least money and the fewest licences. Easy to start does not mean easy to grow, so test demand first.
Which business needs the least investment?
Skill based services like freelance work, consulting, tutoring and dog walking can start with a phone, a laptop and a small budget for marketing. Each guide shows an approximate cost range for India and the US.
Do these guides cover both India and the US?
Yes. Each guide has the same steps for both countries and short separate sections where costs, licences and registration differ.
How do I choose between two business types?
Compare the starting cost, the licences, the hours each needs and the demand in your area. Write a one page plan for both and pick the one where the numbers work with less risk.