Want to start a low-cost startup business? The digital age offers endless possibilities for entrepreneurs to create successful businesses without breaking the bank. Most people dream of running their own business to control their professional destiny and create a better work-life balance.
You can choose from 100 business ideas that need minimal financial investment. Many of these businesses can start with just $500 and become profitable right away. These budget-friendly opportunities make it possible to launch your venture using personal savings or help from friends and family—no need for bank loans. Some sectors show amazing promise. Translation services will grow 4% through 2032, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The used clothing market has seen incredible growth too, reaching $43 billion in the US—almost double from $23 billion in 2018.
Let's look at promising low-investment business ideas in several categories—from online ventures and service-based businesses to the booming telehealth sector. We'll also show you how specific tools and platforms can help accelerate your business, even on a tight budget.
Ready to discover a low-cost start-up business of your own? Scroll down now!
Key Takeaways
- Many businesses can start with under $500 using personal savings, no loans needed.
- Online opportunities include affiliate marketing, dropshipping, print-on-demand, digital products, and freelancing.
- Service-based businesses like virtual assistance, pet care, tutoring, and cleaning have low startup costs and strong demand.
- Telehealth is a fast-growing sector (24.3% annual growth), though it requires licensing and higher upfront costs.
- Bask Health offers tools and platforms to lower barriers for starting and scaling telehealth ventures.
Online business ideas with low startup costs
Want to start a business without emptying your bank account? The internet has created amazing opportunities to launch low-cost startups from home. You can build a profitable business with just a computer and an internet connection.
Affiliate marketing and content monetization
Affiliate marketing gives you an easy way to earn online by promoting products through special links. You earn a commission each time someone buys through your link. The numbers show promise—affiliate sales make up 16% of all ecommerce in 2024 and should hit $16 billion by 2028. Starting is simple. Join platforms like ShareASale, Amazon Associates, or ClickBank and create content that strikes a chord with your audience. Success comes from building trust before you promote expensive affiliate programs.
Dropshipping and print-on-demand stores
Dropshipping lets you run an online store without worrying about inventory or shipping. Your suppliers handle product delivery straight to customers. Most people can start with $200-$500 to cover domain names, e-commerce platforms, and product samples. This model works great for people with marketing skills who want to start small.
Print-on-demand services work the same way. You design custom products that get made after customers order them. There's no inventory risk since t-shirts, mugs, and posters are printed and shipped by other companies. Both options let you enter the market fast without needing a warehouse or a big budget.
Creating and selling digital products
Digital products pack amazing value, with sales reaching $2.50 trillion in 2025. These include ebooks, online courses, templates, and software you create once and sell many times. The benefits are clear—low costs, high profits, automatic delivery, and freedom to work anywhere. Digital creators can also offer different products, from free lead magnets to premium subscriptions.
Freelance services like writing or design
Freelancing might be the fastest way to make money with almost no startup costs. Writers, designers, and creatives can build successful businesses using their talents. The success stories are inspiring—one writer reached $5,000 monthly income in just four months. Writing for medical practices, real estate, financial services, and information products tends to pay well.
Service-based businesses you can start today
Service-based businesses are one of the most available ways to start your entrepreneurial journey without spending much money. These operations depend on your expertise and time instead of costly inventory or equipment.
Virtual assistant and remote admin support
Businesses just need virtual assistants more than ever as they look for flexible administrative help without full-time employees. Virtual assistants earn between $17 and $44 per hour, with the national average at $27.21 hourly. They handle email management, schedule appointments, do bookkeeping, enter data, and manage social media. You can start this business with very little money—you'll just need a good computer, internet connection, and the right software tools.
Pet sitting, dog walking, and errand running
The pet industry is valued at $100 billion and will triple by 2030. Dog walkers and pet sitters make good money, charging between $20 and $35 hourly. You'll need transportation and sometimes special insurance, but startup costs stay very low. Seniors and busy professionals also need errand services like grocery shopping, prescription pickup, and dry cleaning. These services pay around $30 per hour.
Tutoring and online teaching
Educational services give you another easy way to get started. Online tutoring boomed during the pandemic and created lasting opportunities in virtual education. Private tutors make between $20,000 and $80,000 yearly, depending on their specialty and hours. You can start with knowledge and confidence in your subject, though some platforms or schools might want formal qualifications.
Cleaning and home organization services
A cleaning business costs about $685 to start, which covers simple equipment, insurance, and licensing. This industry will grow by $200 billion between 2024-2030. Professional organizers charge $200-$375 for one room, while bigger home projects can bring in $1,500-$5,000. People are happy to pay others to handle tasks they find overwhelming or time-consuming.
Exploring telehealth as a fast-growth opportunity
Telehealth has become a thriving sector in the digital world. The market size grows at a compound annual growth rate of 24.3% between 2024 and 2030. This chance combines easy entry with substantial growth potential for forward-thinking entrepreneurs.
How to start a telehealth business
A telehealth venture needs a clear business model and target audience. You should choose specific services like urgent care, chronic care management, or mental health support. Your providers must comply with state-specific licensing requirements and obtain licenses in each operating state, which costs about $1,000 per state.
Understanding the telehealth business model
Telehealth businesses operate through three models: B2B (business-to-business), B2C (business-to-consumer), or a hybrid approach. Each model reaches patients and generates revenue differently through memberships, per-visit fees, or partnerships with insurers. The most successful telehealth businesses create value propositions that align with stakeholder needs.
Telemedicine startup costs and tools
The original investment varies from $10,000 to $250,000 based on platform complexity, staff, and equipment. Simple telehealth applications cost around $25,000-$50,000, while complex solutions need $60,000-$150,000. Your essential equipment should include high-quality webcams, reliable internet, and secure storage solutions.
Benefits of telehealth for underserved markets
Traditional barriers like transportation needs and distance from specialty providers disappear with telehealth. Rural communities see the greatest benefits. Studies show telemedicine appointments help patients save an average of 145 miles and 142 minutes per visit. Safety-net providers, especially Federally Qualified Health Centers, can reach more vulnerable populations through telehealth.
Examples of telemedicine startup companies
Several groundbreaking startups lead the way: Ceiba Healthcare (AI-based patient monitoring), Think Biosolution (remote monitoring platform with proprietary wearables), and Synapse Healthcare Solutions (mental health services for underserved areas). These companies show how telehealth startups solve specific healthcare challenges through technology.
How Bask Health supports low-cost business growth
Bask Health has built a platform that helps entrepreneurs start healthcare businesses at lower costs. Our solution equips founders with tools to launch telehealth ventures without facing common obstacles.
What is Bask Health, and who is it for
Bask Health works as the "Shopify for E-Prescribing"—a no-code, compliant platform that helps scale direct-to-consumer telehealth businesses. We give entrepreneurs everything they need: electronic medical records (EMR), payment processing, pharmacy fulfillment, website building tools, and patient management systems. The platform serves healthcare visionaries who want to enter telehealth without extensive technical knowledge.
Features that help new businesses scale
Our microservices-based architecture lets different components grow independently. Startups can start with basic features and add more as their practice expands. The cloud-based infrastructure cuts down initial costs substantially, and telehealth partnerships save up to 70% while delivering high performance.
Why it's ideal for telehealth startups
Bask Health offers white-labeled solutions that cut launch time from months to weeks. We've processed over $178 million in healthcare transactions, which shows our reliability for growing businesses. The platform handles HIPAA compliance automatically, so providers can concentrate on delivering quality care instead of worrying about regulations.
Integrating Bask Health into your business plan
The platform's customizable features make integration simple and reflect your brand's identity. It combines smoothly with existing websites and creates a unified patient experience without complex development.
Conclusion
The digital age gives entrepreneurs countless chances to start businesses on a budget. You can launch anything from affiliate marketing and dropshipping to service-based ventures like virtual assistance and pet care. These businesses let you earn money right away with minimal investment using skills you already have.
Telehealth emerges as one of the most promising fields today. The sector shows an impressive 24.3% yearly growth rate through 2030. Starting a telehealth business needs proper licensing and compliance. The rewards make it worth the effort, especially if you're passionate about making healthcare more accessible.
We at Bask Health know what new telehealth entrepreneurs struggle with. That's why we built our platform to eliminate the usual barriers to entry. Our white-labeled solutions help you launch within weeks instead of months. The microservices architecture lets your business grow naturally. On top of that, it handles complex HIPAA compliance automatically. You can focus on delivering quality care rather than dealing with regulations.
Your path could be an online business, service venture, or telehealth practice. Success comes from starting small and growing smart. Many of today's thriving businesses started with modest investments and clear goals. This is your time to make those entrepreneurial dreams real. The cost of waiting only gets higher each day.
References
- Built In NYC. (n.d.). Bask Health. In Built In NYC. Retrieved August 21, 2025, from Built In NYC website: https://www.builtinnyc.com/company/bask-health
- DigitalHealth Folio3. (2025, August 4). Telemedicine startup costs (2025): Factors affecting the price. Retrieved August 21, 2025, from https://digitalhealth.folio3.com/blog/telemedicine-startup-costs/
- Forbes Advisor. (n.d.). How to start a dropshipping business. Retrieved August 21, 2025, from https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/how-to-start-a-dropshipping-business/
- OpenLoop Health. (2025, February 20). How to start a telehealth business. Retrieved August 21, 2025, from https://openloophealth.com/blog/how-to-start-a-telehealth-business
- Wolters Kluwer. (2024, May 14). How to start a pet sitting and dog walking business (by Molly Miller). Retrieved August 21, 2025, from https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/expert-insights/how-to-start-a-pet-sitting-and-dog-walking-business
