17 Scalable Business Ideas Under 10 Lakhs to Start Now

Aquascaping Business 

Planted aquarium design and maintenance is becoming a popular trend among urban residents, offices, and cafés. Aquascaping is an art that blends nature, where you create underwater scenes with plants, rocks, driftwood, and fish. With minimal training and imagination, you can provide setup and maintenance services, or even retail custom tanks and aquascaping kits. 

Investment: ₹3–6 lakhs 

Market: Homeowners, interior designers, offices, and cafés in metro cities 

Profit Margin: 25%–35% 

Hydroponics Business 

Hydroponics is a soil-less cultivation technique that’s gaining popularity rapidly, particularly in urban areas with limited space. Begin with leafy greens, herbs, or microgreens and sell them to local supermarkets, restaurants, or consumers directly. Systems can be installed on rooftops, balconies, or small areas. 

Investment: ₹5–10 lakhs 

Market: Urban health-conscious consumers, restaurants, and organic food stores 

Profit Margin: 30%–45% 

Recycling Businesses

From recycling paper, plastic, or e-waste, this is a sustainable and scalable business. You can begin small with a collection and sorting facility, or get into an arrangement with bigger recyclers to feed them material. With increasing awareness about the environment, government backing, and rising waste, recycling is a future-proof business. 

Investment: ₹4–9 lakhs (material- and scale-dependent) 

Market: Households, commercial units, industries, municipalities 

Profit Margin: 20%–40% 

Fitness Center or Gym 

A small gym or a fitness studio can be an excellent business, particularly where there are people who are health-conscious. You don’t have to go in for fancy equipment, just the essentials such as treadmills, weights, and bikes in a reasonable space. Target residential zones, up-and-coming towns, or Tier-2 cities where demand is increasing but competition is still low. Incorporate classes such as Zumba, yoga, or strength training to attract more customers. 

Investment: ₹7–10 lakhs 

Market: Urban and semi-urban population with concern for fitness and lifestyle 

Profit Margin: 30%–40% 

E-commerce Store for Eco-Friendly Products 

You can capitalize on this by selling products such as bamboo toothbrushes, metal straws, organic soaps, or cloth bags online. With a small warehouse or even home storage, you can stock and ship all over India. Promote your brand through Instagram or niche eco-communities. This is an excellent business if you love the planet and profits as well. 

Investment: ₹4–8 lakhs 

Market: Eco-friendly consumers, urban millennials, and Gen Z 

Profit Margin: 30%–40% 

Franchise Store 

Franchising an establishment allows you to operate a business with an established brand, meaning you don’t have to begin from zero. Food, clothes, cosmetics, or gadgets, there’s a franchise option available for various budgets. Most of them assist with the setup, training, and even advertising. It’s best if you need to minimize the risk of business failure and want a tested model that’s sure to succeed. 

Investment: ₹4–10 lakhs 

Market: Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, emerging neighborhoods 

Profit Margin: 25%–40% 

Driving School 

A driving school is a practical business, especially in developing towns where more people are buying cars but lack proper training. You’ll need 1–2 used vehicles, a small office space, and licenses from the transport department. Offer flexible class timings and maybe even pickup services to attract working professionals or students. It’s a stable business with steady demand year-round. 

Investment: ₹7–8 lakhs 

Market: Growing vehicle ownership areas in semi-urban and urban locations 

Profit Margin: 30%–35% 

Logistics Franchise 

A logistics franchise allows you to partner with a well-known brand and begin operations with comparatively low capital. You’ll require 400–600 sq. ft. of space, simple equipment such as computers and barcode scanners, and some delivery personnel. It’s suitable if you’re looking for a predictable, service-oriented business with no production or stock requirements. 

Investment: ₹2–6 lakhs 

Market: E-commerce businesses, retail stores, and B2B customers 

Profit Margin: 20%–30% 

Gadget Store 

A small electronics shop that sells trendy electronics, accessories, and tech necessities can generate good footfall, particularly in locations close to colleges, technology parks, or busy bazaars. Provide repair services and sell accessories such as earphones, chargers, and cases to boost sales. Online sales are also possible once you establish inventory and credibility. 

Investment: ₹6–10 lakhs 

Market: Tech-savvy youth, working professionals, and students 

Profit Margin: 25%–35% 

Customized Learning Platforms 

If you have subject knowledge or can partner with tutors, you can create a custom learning platform (web or app-based). Choose a niche, such as coding for children, spoken English, or board exam preparation. Quality of content is paramount, and marketing via YouTube or Instagram can get you the audience. 

Investment: ₹5–9 lakhs 

Market: Students, working professionals, and parents seeking additional learning support 

Profit Margin: 30%–50% 

Urban Farming Solutions 

You can provide solutions such as hydroponic kits, vertical garden solutions, or even balcony farm solutions for people in cities. It’s an excellent business if you’re committed to sustainability and are not afraid to educate clients. Target apartment dwellers, gated communities, and schools with a focus on eco-learning. You can even sell pre-assembled kits online. 

Investment: ₹4–8 lakhs 

Market: Health-aware families, schools, urban residences 

Profit Margin: 30%–40% 

Custom Furniture Making 

From a simple study table with minimalist design to a clever space-saving wardrobe, you can find a niche with quality build and good design. Begin small with a carpenter crew and a minimal workshop. Sell your work on Instagram or local interior designers. Use reclaimed wood or sustainable material for extra points. 

Investment: ₹6–10 lakhs 

Market: New homebuyers, interior designers, and rental property owners 

Profit Margin: 35%–45% 

Cloud Kitchen 

If you enjoy cooking or have a chef on board, a cloud kitchen is one of the best business ideas for less than 10 lakhs. You don’t require a dine-in area, just a small kitchen and online food ordering platforms to start. Specialize in a cuisine (such as biryani, Chinese, or healthy bowls) and provide consistent quality. Partner with Swiggy, Zomato, and promote on Instagram to gain a local following. 

Investment: ₹5–8 lakhs 

Market: Office workers, students, and working families ordering food online 

Profit Margin: 25%–35% 

Optical Frame Production 

Optical frame production can be a high-return, low-investment venture if you establish it properly. You will require machinery, good-quality raw material, and qualified personnel. Begin by supplying local opticians and then expand to online stores. Providing fashionable, light, or green frames provides you with an edge over competitors. 

Investment: ₹7–10 lakhs 

Market: Eyewear shops, e-commerce websites, optical chains 

Profit Margin: 40%–50% 

Event Planning (Scaled Up) 

Begin with birthdays, anniversaries, or corporate parties. Develop a consistent team of decorators, caterers, and photographers. As you build your network, handle bigger events such as weddings or product launches. Strong local connections and good vendor relationships will go a long way in this business. 

Investment: ₹5–9 lakhs 

Market: Families, corporates, schools, and social organizations 

Profit Margin: 25%–35% 

E-commerce Business (Physical/Online) 

Choose a niche such as fashion wearables, handcrafted products, or electronics, and establish your brand on Instagram, Amazon, or your own site. You can even partner with no shop at all and operate the entire business from home. The secret is to buy smart, price competitively, and maintain sharp customer service. 

Investment: ₹5–10 lakhs 

Market: Online consumers spread across India; specialized communities based on product category 

Profit Margin: 30%–45% 

Car Rental Service 

Begin with 1–2 second-hand or small new vehicles and provide rentals for daily, weekend, or outstation trips. Partner with drivers or provide self-drive options based on your location. Permits, insurance, and maintenance will have to be handled, but returns can be good once bookings are frequent. 

Investment: ₹7–10 lakhs 

Market: Tourists, professionals, students, and local travellers 

Profit Margin: 25%–35%