1.

Speed Language Learning

An Irish man has figured out a system for learning a new language in just three months. Entrepreneur
Benny Lewis now speaks 11 languages and has a series of successful books plus an online course and
other resources. He also has a blog and a YouTube channel and has done a TED talk.

You could start your own language-learning business by making a website with classes that can be
accessed whenever a student wants, says Entrepreneur. Students could pay a monthly fee to log in at a
any time and you could also sell advertising space and courses or books. Mobile learning is also hot so
you could optimize for mobile or think about creating an app.

Plus, you could sell to individuals or corporations. Companies in particular need speed language training
to get their employees ready to do international business.

2. Ad management. Online advertising continues to explode and businesses need help navigating
and optimizing all the different channels. Online ads will be a $129.23 billion dollar industry by
2021 according to eMarketer, so you may want to think about starting your own ad
management small business.

3. Cat Cafes
Cat cafes are cafes where customers can order beverages and also spend time with the resident
cats. Cat cafes have been wildly successful in Japan and Taiwan for many years. The first cat cafe
opened in Montreal is 2014 and since then they’ve started to spread through North America.

Cat cafes are part of the overall trend of activity bars—for example, bars that combine bowling
or gaming. And this type of venture is a perfect match for crowdfunding techniques through
sites like Kickstarter. There’s also the option to create spinoffs, like cafes that serve wine or dog
cafes.

4. Stress Biosensors
An Irish company turned to Kickstarter to fund a biosensor that tracks your stress and helps you
relax through game play. It’s supposed to help its wearer understand how to manage their
stress. The company’s gamble paid off as 555 backers contributed a total of $103,916 to fully
fund the project.

This is part of a trend of devices that are intuitive to use and that read emotions. Another
example is the Mico headset from Japan that tracks its wearer’s brainwaves and chooses
appropriate music for their mood.
5. Biodegradable Packaging
Here’s a creative and green business opportunity: global demand for bioplastic packaging is
expected to reach 8,84,000 tons by 2020, according to the Economic Times. Biodegradable bags
make up about 10 to 15 percent of the world plastics market and should increase to 25 to 30
percent by 2020.

To meet demand, EnviGreen Biotech in India is making plastic-like bags that are actually
composed of starch and vegetable derivatives. They dissolve in warm water and are recyclable,
organic and even edible by animals.

6. Bitcoin Tech
An Argentinian entrepreneur developed payment technology that makes it easier for South
American companies to accept bitcoins as payment. The company is called BitPagos and it
attracted $600,000 in investment, according to Business Insider.

Bitcoin is one of the most popular cryptocurrencies, also known as digital currencies. It can be
used as payment and isn’t tied to any one country and only exists digitally, not in paper form.

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies were worth $107 billion in June of 2017, six times their worth
at the beginning of that year, according to Fortune magazine. The industry is set to enter a
trillion-dollar valuation.

Here are some ideas to enter this space:

Lending
Making payments
Payments through social media platforms
Bitcoin ATMs
Retirement investing

7. Vegan Meats and Dairy

South Africa’s Fry’s is famous for its vegan shrimp, sausage rolls, burgers, schnitzel and much
more. Its products are now sold in 8,000 supermarkets in 30 countries and is just about to enter
the U.S. market.

Though Fry’s has been in business almost 30 years, the market is hotter than ever right now for
vegan and vegetarian foods. Sales of plant-based food reached over $3.7 billion last year in the
U.S., according to Nielsen. Vegan meat is the hottest food item, with sales increasing 23 percent.

That said, there’s plenty of competition. Beyond Meat is the leading seller of vegan meats, with
sales increasing 70 percent in 2017. Other options include starting a business focused on plant-
 based dairy, eggs and complete pre-packaged meals. Plant-based milk is a fiercely competitive
market but creamer, yogurt, cheese and ice cream are quickly growing categories.

8. NERF ARENA
Photo of many people posing for a photo with Nerf guns
A Nerf arena is another business idea that’s great for outgoing savvy individuals looking to run a
fun, fast-paced business. While the typical target customers are younger people, aged six to
fourteen, many Nerf arenas have found they can increase revenue by also appealing to
corporate and other adult groups.

Startup costs are fairly high, as a large amount of indoor space is required, along with things like
equipment and insurance. Because of the high maintenance costs and lower rates charged to
customers, earning potential is not as high as some of the other businesses in this category.
However, a successful Nerf arena owner can still bring in a profit of around $50,000 per year.

9. PARTY BUS BUSINESS

Interior of a party bus, lit with neon lights with full-length couches on either side.

If you are experienced at coordinating events, enjoy working with people and providing
customer service, and can think quickly on your feet, a party bus may be a good business for
you. Party buses have become a popular choice for a wide range of customers looking for a fun,
unique, event that’s easy to plan.

Startup expenses are substantial, with the cost of buses, salaries, and insurance among some of
the biggest. You’ll also have ongoing expenses for gas and maintenance of your buses. However,
with the high hourly rates you can charge, it’s possible to bring in a respectable annual profit of
$50,000 or more.

10. Bookstore Cafe