Groundwork Startup Industry Database
31 businesses you can start for under $10,000, $50,000 or $100,000, checked against government and university research
How to read this
Each card is one industry. A budget tier is marked only when a published source placed the industry there. “Publisher lists naming it” counts how many of the ten business publisher lists we reviewed included it; it measures how often the industry is recommended, not how profitable it is. Survival rates are Bureau of Labor Statistics averages for the industry’s whole sector. The practical profile (training, licensing, equipment, home-based) combines cited regulatory facts with our assessment; rules vary by state and city, so check yours before you commit. Source codes in brackets match the list at the bottom of the page.
Cleaning (residential and commercial)
House cleaning, janitorial, blind or carpet cleaning
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. Independent: $2K-$10K (ZenBusiness via U1); commercial cleaning under $10K (C1). Franchise: Jan-Pro $4,830-$58,070 (C9); Two Maids $83,140-$123,890 (C10).
Local business license only in most places. Commercial vacuum about $200-$350 (U1). Bonding and insurance often required by commercial clients.
BLS sector: Administrative and waste services
Personal training and fitness
Personal training, fitness classes, fitness franchise
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. Personal trainer $4,200 (C2); under $10K (C1). Jazzercise franchise $3,700-$32,750 (C10).
Certification is not legally required in most places but clients and gyms expect one. A studio raises equipment to High.
BLS sector: Arts, entertainment, and recreation
Photography and video
Event, pet or stock photography; video production; photo booth
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. Event media services $6,000 (C2); pet photography and photo booth under $10K (C1).
Editing done from home; shoots on location. FAA Part 107 certificate required for commercial drone work. Some venues require location permits. Camera, lenses, lighting.
BLS sector: Professional, scientific, and technical services
Social media and digital marketing
Social media management, SEO, digital ads
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. Social media consultant under $2K (C1); SEO about $200 (C5).
Optional platform certifications (for example, ad platforms) help sell.
BLS sector: Professional, scientific, and technical services
Tutoring and education
Tutoring, test prep, music or art lessons, learning centers
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. Music lessons and arts instructor under $2K (C1). Kumon $67,428-$145,640; Sylvan $85,525-$186,930 (C10).
Online tutoring is fully remote. Franchise learning centers need a location and High equipment.
BLS sector: Educational services
Writing and content services
Freelance writing, copywriting, resume service, blogging
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. Freelance writer $0 (C2); copywriting and resume service under $2K (C1); blog under $100 (C5).
Computer and writing tools.
BLS sector: Professional, scientific, and technical services
Business and marketing consulting
Business plan service, marketing or admissions consulting
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. Business plan service under $2K (C1). SEO consultant about $200 (C5).
Credibility comes from experience and results, not a license.
BLS sector: Professional, scientific, and technical services
Lawn care and landscaping
Mowing, landscaping, yard maintenance
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. Lawn care $1,000-$3,000 (C2). Listed in $100K-or-less group (C7).
Pesticide or herbicide application for hire requires state applicator certification (R3). Mower, trimmer, trailer.
BLS sector: Administrative and waste services
Online store and ecommerce
Ecommerce, dropshipping, print on demand, affiliate
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. Dropshipping $500-$3,000; print on demand about $200-$1,000; affiliate $300-$1,000 (C4).
Sales tax or seller's permit required in most states.
BLS sector: Retail trade
Real estate sales and investing
Real estate agent, brokerage, investing franchise
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. Real estate agent $1,500 (C2). HomeVestors franchise $80,000-$456,250 (C10).
State real estate license required; agents work under a licensed broker.
BLS sector: Real estate and rental and leasing
Child care
Home daycare, child care center, after-school program
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. Daycare $1,000 (C2, home-based); child care center under $10K (C1); listed in $100K group (C7). State licensing required.
State child care license (small home providers exempt in some states); CPR, first aid and background checks. Home must meet licensing code.
BLS sector: Health care and social assistance
Event planning and party services
Event planning, children's parties, bounce house rentals
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. Event and party planning under $10K; bounce house rentals under $10K (C1).
Planning is home-based; rentals such as bounce houses need storage and, in some states, ride inspection.
BLS sector: Administrative and waste services
Handmade and specialty goods
Soap, accessories, apparel, artisan products
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. Soap-making and accessories design under $2K (C1).
Sales tax permit; cosmetic and soap labeling rules can apply.
BLS sector: Retail trade
Home-based food and catering
Cakes and cupcakes, personal chef, catering, meal prep
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. Home-based food: a few hundred to a few thousand dollars (C11); cake bakery and personal chef under $2K (C1). Cottage food rules vary by state.
Every state has a cottage food law; 6 states plus D.C. require inspection and licensing, 5 require little or none (R5). Food handler certificate in some states.
BLS sector: Accommodation and food services
Junk removal and hauling
Junk removal, cleanouts
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. Under $10K independent (C1). Franchise 1-800-GOT-JUNK? $89,000-$197,000 (C10).
Truck or dump trailer. USDOT number if crossing state lines with a vehicle over 10,001 lbs (R4). Some cities license haulers.
BLS sector: Administrative and waste services
Pet sitting and dog walking
Pet sitting, dog walking, house sitting
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. Dog walker and sitter $600 (C2); pet sitting under $2K (C1).
Pet first aid and bonding optional but common.
BLS sector: Other services (except public administration)
Travel agency
Home-based travel and cruise agency
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. Dream Vacations $2,290-$20,695; Cruise Planners $1,945-$20,505 (C9).
No federal license; seller of travel registration in CA, FL, WA and HI (R2).
BLS sector: Administrative and waste services
Virtual assistant and admin services
Virtual assistant, VA agency
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. Virtual assistant $200 (C2); under $2K (C1).
Computer, phone, scheduling and office software.
BLS sector: Professional, scientific, and technical services
Bookkeeping and accounting services
Bookkeeping, payroll support
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. Bookkeeper $1,000-$2,000 (C2).
No license for bookkeeping; a CPA license is needed only for attest work such as audits. Accounting software required.
BLS sector: Professional, scientific, and technical services
Food truck and coffee cart
Food truck, coffee cart
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. Food truck: used $40,000-$80,000, new $75,000-$150,000 (C11); $28,100-$114,100 (U2).
Health permit, mobile vending permit and fire inspection; many areas require a commissary. Food manager or handler certification.
BLS sector: Accommodation and food services
Handyman and home repair
Handyperson, furniture repair and refinishing
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. Under $10K (C1).
Many states require a contractor license above a job-value threshold; some jobs need building permits.
BLS sector: Construction
Insurance agency
Independent or franchise agency
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. Goosehead Insurance franchise $40,000-$119,000 (C8). Life insurance sales listed (C5).
State insurance producer license required.
BLS sector: Finance and insurance
Mobile auto detailing
Mobile detailing, dent removal
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. Dent removal under $10K (C1). Listed by C7 and SCORE.
Some localities regulate wash-water runoff. Pressure washer, extractor, water tank, van.
BLS sector: Other services (except public administration)
Moving, courier and delivery
Moving company, courier, local delivery
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. Moving company $5,000 (C2). Courier and delivery listed in $100K group (C7).
USDOT number for interstate moves with vehicles over 10,001 lbs (R4); some states license movers. Large trucks may need a commercial driver's license.
BLS sector: Transportation and warehousing
Small cafe, kiosk or ghost kitchen
Cafe, kiosk, ghost kitchen, ice cream shop
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. Ghost kitchen about $20,000 to over $150,000; ice cream: freezer $8,000-$30,000 plus build-out $10,000-$50,000+ (C11).
Health, building and occupancy permits; food manager certification. Point-of-sale and delivery apps.
BLS sector: Accommodation and food services
Massage and wellness services
Mobile massage, wellness coaching
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. No per-idea figure; listed by SCORE and C7. State massage license required.
State massage license in 46 states plus D.C. (R1); school hours required. Some cities require an establishment permit.
BLS sector: Other services (except public administration)
Non-medical senior home care
Companion care, in-home help
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. Non-medical home care under $10K (C1). Demand: home health and personal care aides +18.1% projected 2025-35 (G4).
Many states license non-medical home care agencies; caregiver training and background checks vary by state.
BLS sector: Health care and social assistance
Pest control
Residential and commercial pest service
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. No per-idea figure; listed in $100K-or-less group (C7). Applicator licensing required in most states.
State pest control business license; certified applicator required (R3). Chemical storage rules apply.
BLS sector: Administrative and waste services
Plumbing and skilled trades
Plumbing, drain service franchise
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. RooterMan franchise $45,000-$82,000 (C8). Trade license required.
State or local plumbing license after apprenticeship; job permits required.
BLS sector: Construction
Pressure washing and exterior cleaning
House, driveway, storefront washing
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. No per-idea figure in sources; listed among local service businesses (C7).
Some localities regulate wash-water discharge. Pressure washer, surface cleaner, water tank.
BLS sector: Administrative and waste services
Web design and development
Websites for small businesses
Under $10K$10K–$50K$50K–$100K
Cited startup cost. No per-idea figure; listed by C7.
Computer and design or development software.
BLS sector: Professional, scientific, and technical services
Method and limits
We reviewed ten lists from major business publishers and platforms, including three franchise rankings, and merged every business they named into one list of industries. We recorded which sources named each industry and the startup cost each one gave, then compared the results with federal data on startup capital and business survival and with university research. Costs are as each source reported them; we have not verified them independently. Franchise ranges come from franchisor disclosures as reported by the publisher. Startup capital data is from 2017. Of the 31 industries, 11 appear in more than one budget tier, usually as an independent start at the low end and a franchise at the high end.
For the full analysis and the top ten for each budget, read What Business Can You Start Under $10,000, $50,000 or $100,000?
Sources
Business publishers and platforms
- C1 Entrepreneur, 67 Businesses to Start for Under $10,000 (Published 2024-06-10; modified 2025-09-26)
- C2 GOBankingRates (republished by Nasdaq), 10 Small Business Ideas You Can Start for Less Than $10K (Date not shown on Nasdaq copy)
- C3 Shopify, Low-cost business ideas with high profit (No date shown)
- C4 Small Business Trends, Low Cost Businesses to Start (Published 2025-08-02)
- C5 U.S. Chamber of Commerce (CO—), 9 Low-Cost Business Ideas You Can Start Tomorrow (2019)
- C7 Zenind, Best Businesses to Start with $100K or Less (Published 2026-01-09)
- C8 Entrepreneur (Franchise 500 data), The Top 100 Franchises for Less Than $50,000 (Published 2018-04-25; modified 2025-09-03; uses 2022 Franchise 500)
- C9 Entrepreneur (2026 Franchise 500), Top 2026 Franchise 500-Ranked Businesses You Can Launch for Less Than $25,000 (Published 2026-09-04)
- C10 1851 Franchise, Top 10 Low-Cost Franchises Under $100,000 (Published 2023-05-31)
- C11 Shopify, Food business ideas (Published 2026-07-29)
Government and SBA partners
- G1 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 34.7 percent of business establishments born in 2013 were still operating in 2023 (The Economics Daily) (Published 2024-01-12)
- G2 SBA Office of Advocacy (Census Annual Business Survey data), Frequently Asked Questions About Small Business Finance (Feb 2022) (Feb 2022; ABS 2018 release, reference year 2017)
- G3 SBA Office of Advocacy (Fed Small Business Credit Survey data), Frequently Asked Questions About Small Business Finance, 2024 (Published 2024-10-22)
- G4 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Fastest growing occupations, 2025-35 projections (Current table on BLS site (accessed 2026-10-18))
- C6 SCORE (SBA resource partner), 10 Low-Cost Business Ideas (Published 2019-05-25; modified 2026-05-05)
Colleges and universities
- U1 SBDCNet (University of Texas at San Antonio), Cleaning Services Business: Small Business Snapshot (Last updated 2024-07-30)
- U2 SBDCNet (University of Texas at San Antonio), Food Truck Business: Small Business Snapshot (Last updated 2023-08-22)
- U3 SBDCNet (University of Texas at San Antonio), Landscaping Services Business: Small Business Snapshot (Not reviewed in detail)
- U4 Robb (Kauffman Foundation) & Robinson (Duke University), The Capital Structure Decisions of New Firms (Review of Financial Studies) (Summary 2013-07-23; Kauffman Firm Survey, 2004 cohort)
- U5 H.G. Parsa, Ohio State University, Restaurant failure rate much lower than commonly assumed (Sept 2003; data 1996-99, Columbus OH, 2,439 restaurants)
- U6 Babson College (Global Entrepreneurship Monitor), GEM 2024-2025 United States Report (Published 2025-03-26)
Licensing and regulatory references
- R1 American Massage Therapy Association, States with massage practice laws (Accessed 2026-10-18)
- R2 Host Agency Reviews, Travel Agent License + Seller of Travel Registration (Accessed 2026-10-18)
- R3 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Certification Standards for Pesticide Applicators (Accessed 2026-10-18)
- R4 ConsumerAffairs (summarizing FMCSA rules), What Is a USDOT Number? (Accessed 2026-10-18)
- R5 Institute for Justice, New Report Grades Each State's Laws for Homemade Food Sales (Published 2022-03-24)
General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Spotted an error? See our corrections policy.