25 Profitable Tech Business Ideas for 2025 Beginners

2. Low-code and no-code app development

Low-code and no-code apps use AI to support the creation of software, giving time back to developers and allowing less code-savvy people to build websites and products. According to research from Forrester, 87% of enterprise developers leverage low-code platforms to do development work. CB Insights calls growth of this industry “explosive,” with some companies surpassing $100 million in revenue. 

Examples of current low-code platforms include Rapider AI and Retool, while no-code platforms include Replit and Loveable. 

3. Tech consulting for small businesses

Tech consulting for small businesses helps bridge the gap between limited in-house expertise and the fast-changing world of digital tools. A consultant can assess a company’s current systems, recommend cost-effective software or cloud solutions, and guide teams through implementation without overwhelming resources. 

For many companies, this means clearer strategies for cybersecurity, smoother workflows with automation, and better use of data to make informed decisions. By tailoring solutions to the scale and budget of smaller operations, tech consultants give businesses the chance to boost efficiency.

• Startup costs: Estimated costs to start an IT consulting business range from $2,500 to $10,000. 
• Time to MVP: Consider the time it will take you to complete any online courses and acquire licenses, market your offerings, and find clients. 
• Year one revenue potential: The average yearly IT salary is $86,843. 
• Market size: The market size for IT consulting is estimated to reach $79.3 billion in 2025. 

4. Social media automation tools

Social media automation tools are increasingly critical: nearly 20% of marketers plan to use AI agents for marketing activities in 2025. Automated business ideas like these help teams become more effective and create better experiences for their users. 

• Startup costs: You can craft a lean minimum viable product (MVP) with a single core function for around $10,000. 
• Time to MVP: Six to 12 weeks is realistic for a focused MVP if you lean on no- or low-code tools plus modern application programming interfaces (APIs). 
• Year one revenue potential: Looking at pricing packages from tools like Sprout Social and Later, you can roughly estimate annual revenue of about $60,000 to $200,000, based on how many customers you win in the first year, your pricing, and the plan value they choose. 
• Market size: Fortune Business Insights estimates that the social media management market will reach $32.48 billion in 2025 and $124.63 billion by 2032. 

Medium-investment ideas ($10,000 to $50,000)

5. Online tech education platforms

Education technology, also known as edtech, produces technology tools like learning apps, video conferencing tools, and educational content platforms to facilitate learning.

For example, an edtech startup idea could be to create interactive online courses designed to teach complicated subjects like chemistry and calculus through gamified learning modules. Similarly, an edtech entrepreneur could launch an online coaching startup that connects students with online tutors from around the world and provides real-time translation tools so there are no barriers to communication.

Kahoot!, Edmodo, and Skillshare are all examples of apps in the edtech space designed to improve the availability and efficiency of education.

• Startup costs: Costs to develop an edtech platform could range anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000 if you go the traditional engineering route; no-code or low-code options will cost less. Additional costs for things like content development, web hosting, and customer support will apply as well. 
• Time to MVP: Estimate around three months for a functional MVP. 
• Year one revenue potential: Varies significantly based on factors like niche and revenue model. 
• Market size: The global online education market is expected to reach $279.3 billion by 2029. 

6. Internet of Things (IoT) solutions

Internet of Things (IoT) companies produce household objects equipped with sensors and computer chips that can exchange data with other devices over the internet. IoT devices use technologies like motion sensors, activity trackers, and Bluetooth to connect and give users an integrated system to control multiple devices.

For example, a smart home technology startup could develop an app that lets users check their integrated home appliances, thermostats, and home security systems all from their mobile devices. Some of the biggest IoT companies include GE Digital, Cisco, and IBM.

• Startup costs: On the upper end of the mid-range, the startup costs to develop an IoT solution hovers around $50,000. 
• Time to MVP: Expect an MVP for an IoT product to take around three to four months. 
• Year one revenue potential: Your revenue potential varies significantly based on factors like business model and vertical.
• Market size: Worldwide IoT revenue is expected to reach $419.8 billion in 2025, with projected growth through the next 10 years. 

7. Immersive technology experiences

Consider creating a business that leverages augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), or mixed reality (MR) technologies. VR companies rely on immersive products like headsets that let users explore and interact with fully simulated 3D environments. AR is a type of immersive technology that overlays computer-generated visuals and sounds on top of the real world, often through smartphones, as in the case of Pokémon Go.

MR goes one step further by letting users simultaneously engage with both digital and physical elements around them. Apple Vision Pro is an example of a mixed-reality headset that allows users to interact with physical objects like laptops, as well as virtual tools like screens, keyboards, and apps that appear overlayed on top of the real world.

With the market for immersive technologies expected to grow in the coming years, more entrepreneurs are searching for tech startup ideas in this space. For example, you could build an escape room business incorporating augmented reality for a more immersive experience.

8. Custom software development

A software development company offers services like mobile app development to clients who need more effective software tools for their personal and professional lives.

There is a wide range of focuses that software development businesses specialize in. For example, entrepreneurs in this space could program shipping logistics software to improve efficiency or develop a content management system (CMS) designed to help digital marketing professionals manage social media posts across platforms from one simple dashboard.

• Startup costs: Expect a range of $10,000 to $50,000. 
• Time to MVP: NetGuru estimates three to four months generally, with bigger builds extending from six to 12, and more complex projects taking 24. 
• Year one revenue potential: Varies greatly, but Equidam found the average growth rate for first year startups is 521.9%. 
• Market size: Grandview Research states that the custom software development market size was $43.16 billion in 2024 and will grow to $146.18 billion by 2030. 

9. Cybersecurity services

A cybersecurity startup specializes in protecting its clients’ software, hardware, and data from cyber threats. The worldwide cybersecurity market is projected to reach almost $200 billion in 2025, with steady annual growth through at least 2030. Cybersecurity tech startups offer innovative tech solutions for ecommerce brands, corporate clients, private individuals, and governments seeking a reliable tech partner to safeguard their information and technology infrastructure.

For example, HackerOne is a cybersecurity company that helps clients prioritize their digital assets and preemptively identify the most critical security flaws in their systems. With more than 93 million data records leaked in the first quarter of 2025 alone, the need for entrepreneurs to create new and advanced cybersecurity services continues to grow.

10. 3D printing services

3D printing—or additive manufacturing—is the process of creating three-dimensional objects based on digital models. Merchants who start 3D printing businesses print customizable items like cellphone cases, figurines, and jewelry quickly without needing large, complex production infrastructure. This method also lets you produce complex shapes that are otherwise difficult to achieve with conventional manufacturing techniques.

Entrepreneur Rick Pollack launched MakerGear in 2009 to sell 3D printer parts directly to consumers before eventually developing his own 3D printers. After years of experimenting with 3D printing technologies in his garage, Rick launched a successful Shopify store.

“3D printing has gone completely mainstream. There’s interest from a lot of education customers, schools with maker spaces, engineering programs, and design programs. That’s a big chunk of our business,” Rick says. Today, MakerGear machines can be found in all 50 states and in more than 70 countries—all because Rick dove deep on interest and persisted through the peaks and valleys of running a business. 

• Startup costs: From $2,000 to $10,000 for a basic setup, and up to $25,000 for an industrial-grade setup. 
• Time to MVP: Simple 3D printing services take as little as one to three weeks to get off the ground. 
• Year one revenue potential: Varies based on business type. For example, offering 3D printing services could yield around $5,000 per month, while selling STl files could yield about $10,000 monthly. 
• Market size: The 3D printer market size was valued at $29.29 billion in 2025 and is anticipated to grow to $134.58 billion by 2034. 

High-growth tech opportunities ($50,000 and up)

11. Robotics automation

The robot-as-a-service (RaaS) model uses engineering and computer science to create automatically operated machines that can perform tasks previously done by humans. These types of autonomous machines are particularly useful for highly repetitive tasks like assembling the parts of an automobile, or dangerous tasks like industrial welding. 

The robotics market is estimated to reach a new revenue peak of more than $73 billion by 2029, making it another good field for tech entrepreneurs searching for profitable business ideas. For example, one robotics startup idea would be to create robots that assist retailers with tasks like stocking shelves, maintaining inventory and shipping items.

The Robotics Process Automation (RPA) market, on the other hand, is software-based, and leverages bots to complete tasks as humans would on computers. Starting an RPA company is going to cost much less than starting a RaaS company, so consider the amount of time and capital you have when deciding on a route. 

• Startup costs: RPAs are less expensive to build, running around $4,000 to $15,000 in development costs for a single bot. In order to build a RaaS type robot, you’re looking at $40,000 to $150,000 or more. 
• Time to MVP: Varies based on the complexity of the robot, as well as the type (RPA or RaaS) you choose to build. 
• Year one revenue potential: Varies significantly.
• Market size: The robotics market is estimated to reach more than $73 billion by 2029; the RPA market is projected to reach $30.85 billion by 2030. 

12. Biotech innovations

Biotechnology, or biotech, merges natural sciences and engineering to innovate technologies that use living materials like cells to create new products and services. Biotech companies focus on a variety of fields, including agriculture, with products like genetically modified plants that offer higher crop yields, and medicine, with the development of new cures and vaccines.

For example, on an episode of the Shopify Masters podcast, biotech lawyer Afif Ghannoum talks about working with his father—a microbiome researcher—to come up with a biotech startup idea called BIOHM Health, which sells probiotics for gut health. 

“We thought, it doesn’t make sense that this level of science exists, but a woman who wants to see what’s going on in her children’s guts couldn’t easily test it. We said, let’s do it ourselves. We created a gut testing kit and a software portal that will turn testing that we’re doing in people’s guts into actionable reports.”

• Startup costs: Varies based on the type of innovative biotech you are looking to create. Roughly, you can anticipate needing up to $200,000 in capital for a lower cost startup. 
• Time to MVP: Varies based on product, regulations, clinical trials, approvals, and more. 
• Year one revenue potential: Varies based on type of company. 
• Market size: The biotechnology market is expected to reach $5.85 trillion in 2034.

13. Blockchain solutions

Blockchain solutions are opening new doors for businesses that want to build secure, transparent, and decentralized apps. 

From smart contracts and decentralized finance (DeFi) projects to supply chain tracking and tokenized assets, the use cases are expanding fast. While blockchain can be complex behind the scenes, today’s development tools and even some no-code platforms make it much easier to get an MVP up and running. 

14. Green tech and sustainability

Green tech and sustainability startups are tackling some of today’s biggest challenges, from reducing waste and advancing clean energy to enabling smarter use of resources. These businesses are proving that growth and positive impact can go hand in hand. 

While developing green and sustainable technologies often requires specialized equipment and regulatory approval, lean MVP strategies and shared lab spaces are making it possible for founders to launch faster and with lower upfront costs.

15. Health tech platforms

Health tech platforms are reshaping how we access and manage care, from telemedicine and mental health apps to AI-powered diagnostics and wearable devices. These solutions connect patients and providers, deliver data-driven insights, and streamline operations. 

Market opportunities are immense. The global digital health space is projected to grow from approximately $288 billion in 2024 to more than $946 billion by 2030. Innovative companies like Teladoc (telehealth), Oura (biometric wearables), and Sword Health (digital physical therapy) are leading the charge.

Emerging tech business ideas

16. Web3 and decentralized apps

Web3 and decentralized applications (dApps) are pioneering a new paradigm of the internet, enabling true data ownership, decentralized finance (DeFi), tokenization, and on-chain identity systems. 

The global Web3 market is expanding fast: it’s expected to grow to approximately $33.5 billion by 2030 at a 49.3% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Simultaneously, the dApp development market itself is projected to rise to nearly $70.8 billion by 2030, with an 18.7% CAGR.

• Startup costs: Web3 development can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $200,000.
• Time to MVP: Development time for a simple dApp can take one to three months, with advanced DeFi apps taking up to 12 and up to 18 for custom blockchain protocols. 
• Year one revenue potential: Your revenue outcome is going to vary widely. 
• Market size: The Web3 market is anticipated to reach a market size of more than $104 billion by 2032.

17. Quantum computing applications

Technology business ideas in quantum computing are gaining serious traction as the field opens new possibilities for solving complex challenges in areas like drug discovery, financial modeling, and climate forecasting.

Though it’s still an emerging field, the global quantum computing market was valued at approximately $1.16 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach more than $12.6 billion in 2032. 

• Startup costs: You’ll likely need a lot of capital to start a quantum computing application. In 2024, venture funding for quantum computing reached $1.6 billion, and funding for quantum software reached $621 million. 
• Time to MVP: Several years; one source cites anywhere from five to 20. 
• Year one revenue potential: Varies based on performance. 
• Market size: Valued at$1.16 billion in 2024 and expected to grow at a CAGR of 34.8% to reach more than $12.6 billion in 2032. 

18. Space tech innovations

Technology business ideas in space tech are expanding rapidly as entrepreneurs look beyond Earth for opportunities in innovation and growth. Startups in this sector are reimagining everything from satellite data services and launch-as-a-service models to in-orbit manufacturing, asteroid mining, and space-based energy systems. 

Advances in reusable rockets and miniaturized satellites are lowering barriers to entry, making it possible for smaller companies to participate. At the same time, demand for real-time Earth observation, global internet connectivity, and sustainable space operations is driving new markets and use cases. Together, these innovations are creating an ecosystem where private companies play a critical role in the future of exploration, commerce, and communications.

• Startup costs: Costs to start a space tech innovations company are going to be high, so you’ll likely need to engage VC funding. 
• Time to MVP: Longer than other tech business ideas, as you’ll have to ensure things like regulatory compliance and approval and do rigorous testing. 
• Year one revenue potential: You’ll likely be looking at longer than a year to develop your space tech business, so prepare to not make revenue during your first year. 
• Market size: Space technology reached a market size of over $466 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to over $769 billion by 2030. 

19. Neural interfaces

Neural interfaces, often called brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), are technologies that create a direct communication pathway between the brain and external devices. These systems can translate neural activity into digital signals, enabling people to control computers, prosthetics, or other machines with thought alone. 

While the field is still young, it has enormous potential in health care—helping patients recover mobility, communicate without speech, or manage neurological disorders—as well as in broader applications like gaming and even workforce productivity. Companies like Neuralink, Synchron, and Kernel are driving innovation across invasive and non-invasive approaches. 

• Startup costs: Vary widely depending on invasive versus non-invasive approach. 
• Time to MVP: Depends on how complex the product is and whether or not you’ll require regulatory approval and testing. 
• Year one revenue potential: Unlikely to make revenue in the first year.
• Market size: The US BCI market was valued at $547.7 million in 2024 and is projected to grow to $2.72 billion by 2034 (approximately a 17.9% CAGR).

20. Synthetic biology

Technology business ideas in synthetic biology—where biology and engineering merge to create novel biological systems—are enabling breakthroughs in therapeutics, agriculture, industrial manufacturing, and environmental remediation.

• Startup costs: Development costs vary significantly based on complexity. 
• Time to MVP: Rapid prototyping tools may significantly shorten MVP timelines in synthetic biology, though exact benchmarks vary by complexity and regulatory needs.
• Year one revenue potential: Income is highly dependent on the business model.
• Market size: The global synthetic biology market is projected to grow from $17.09 billion in 2025 to $63.77 billion by 2032, growing at a 20.7% CAGR.

Service-based tech businesses

21. AI implementation consulting

Many companies are excited about AI but aren’t sure where to start or how to make it work for them. That’s where you come in: assessing their needs, guiding them through the right tools, and showing them how to get real value from automation, machine learning, and generative AI. 

AI consultants turn complex technology into simple, practical wins for businesses. It’s a role that mixes technical know-how with business strategy, making you both a trusted adviser and a growth partner.

Being an AI consultant is all about helping businesses bridge the gap between big ideas and practical results. You could even try out this idea as an AI side hustle to see if it’s something you’re interested in pursuing full time. 

• Startup costs: As an AI implementation consultant, your startup costs are relatively low. You’ll need knowledge of AI systems like ChatGPT, a business license depending on your local jurisdiction, and a way to obtain clients. 
• Time to MVP: Depending on your knowledge of the space and any licenses you need to operate, you can get up and running in a matter of weeks, especially if you have clients to work with already. 
• Year one revenue potential: As a solo AI implementation consultant, Glassdoor estimates a yearly pay range of $151,000 to $276,000.
• Market size: The AI consulting services market is estimated to be worth more than $22 billion in 2025, and is projected to reach over $257 billion by 2033. 

22. Tech talent recruiting

Starting a tech recruiting business comes with several advantages that make it especially appealing to entrepreneurs. The barrier to entry is relatively low; you can launch with just a laptop, an applicant tracking system, and a few job board credits. At the same time, the earning potential is high, since recruiters typically earn fees as a percentage of candidate salaries, meaning just a handful of placements can bring in solid revenue. 

The business is also highly flexible: You can work independently, partner with other recruiters, or scale into a full agency. Demand is consistently strong, with companies competing for scarce talent in fields like AI, data science, and cybersecurity. Beyond the numbers, recruiting is relationship-driven, giving you the opportunity to build long-term partnerships with both clients and candidates.

• Startup costs: Similar to becoming an AI consultant, the startup costs you’ll incur for a tech talent recruiting business involve licensing and incorporation fees (whether you decide on an LLC or S corp). You’ll also need to pay to post on job boards and for an applicant tracking system. 
• Time to MVP: You can be up and running in a couple of weeks. 
• Year one revenue potential: On average, ZipRecruiter estimates that the yearly salary for a tech talent recruiter is about $70,000 per year. 
• Market size: The online technology recruitment market is estimated at more than $15 billion in 2025, and is expected to grow to over $37 billion by 2032. 

23. Digital transformation services

Organizations of all sizes are under pressure to modernize their systems, adopt cloud solutions, and integrate AI, but few have the expertise to do it on their own. As a digital transformation consultant, you help bridge that gap, offering strategies and tools that drive efficiency, innovation, and measurable ROI. 

The benefits of launching this kind of business include: low barriers to entry if you start lean, high earning potential through large project fees, and access to a global market that is expanding into the trillions. Beyond the numbers, you also position yourself as a long-term partner in shaping how businesses evolve for the future.

• Startup costs: Startup costs are low to provide digital transformation services, you’ll just need to have a working understanding of different tech solutions that will work well for different types of clients. 
• Time to MVP: You can be up and running in a couple of weeks. 
• Year one revenue potential: Anywhere from $50,000 to $500,000 or more, depending on the size of project, number of projects you complete in a year, the size of your clients’ businesses, and how much you charge for your services. 
• Market size: The digital transformation services market is projected to reach $4.61 trillion by 2030. 

24. Tech product management

A tech product manager is responsible for guiding a product from idea to launch by aligning business goals, customer needs, and technical execution. They create the product vision and road map, work closely with cross-functional teams, validate ideas with users, and measure results to improve over time. 

Because they combine strategic thinking with hands-on execution, they’re often seen as the connective tissue that keeps product development aligned and moving forward.

• Startup costs: Startup costs mirror those of other consultancy tech business ideas. This is a low-cost idea to start, so long as you have the necessary training and knowledge to get into tech product management on your own. 
• Time to MVP: You can be up and running in a couple of weeks. 
• Year one revenue potential: On average, tech product managers make  about $172,000 per year. 
• Market size: The global tech consulting market is estimated to reach $79.3 billion in 2025. 

25. Innovation workshops

Innovation workshops are designed to help teams break out of routine thinking and spark new ideas that drive growth. By combining structured exercises with creative collaboration, these sessions give businesses a practical way to develop fresh solutions, test concepts, and align teams around shared goals. 

Starting a business in this space comes with benefits like low startup costs, the ability to launch quickly, and strong earning potential, as companies increasingly look for external partners to guide their innovation efforts.

• Startup costs: Business licensing fees, incorporation costs, branding and website fees, and any necessary tools to lead your workshop. 
• Time to MVP: Developing an innovation workshop can be a quick endeavor, taking just a few weeks. 
• Year one revenue potential: Incomevaries widely based on your service offering, clients you work with, and how much you decide to charge. 
• Market size: The global innovation market size is estimated at $1.86 billion in 2025, and is projected to grow to $3.93 billion in 2032. 

Success stories: Tech businesses built on Shopify

Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke advises entrepreneurs not to wait for a dramatic “lightbulb” moment, and argues that the true drivers of success are daily, small improvements. “People take this Hollywood view, which is like people in lab coats saying ‘eureka’ suddenly, and then innovation has happened,” Tobi says. “Innovation is actually much more blue collar, it’s much more vocational, it’s the frequent incremental improvement of the things that we care about.”

Technology business ideas often come alive through compelling execution and strategic thinking, and Shopify has been the launchpad for many success stories. These examples illustrate how platforms like Shopify aren’t just for commerce—they’re tools for innovation and scalable growth.

• BIOHM Health transformed academic science into consumer-ready products by launching a gut test kit paired with a software portal and a probiotic. The founders grew a seven-figure ambassador program, increasing customer lifetime value by 40% through organized outreach and scalable community management.
• MakerGear began in a garage, where founder Rick Pollack hacked together parts for early 3D printers. As the 3D printing trend grew, MakerGear scaled into a production facility in Ohio, built its own printer models, and gained global distribution.
• Filtrous started from a garage offering lab syringe filters directly to businesses. After migrating to Shopify’s B2B solution, they launched a new wholesale storefront in just 63 days, slashed manual workload in customer service by 10 hours per week, and boosted organic conversion rates by 27%.