Not every great business begins with lakhs of rupees. Some of the most inspiring ventures in India have started with just a few thousand. If you’ve been holding back from starting your small business because of limited funds, this list is for you.
Below are the five best business to start under 10K in India that are practical, beginner-friendly, and have the potential to turn into profitable business ideas in India with consistent effort. Whether you want home-based business ideas in India or a side hustle, these options fit the bill – especially for women looking for low investment business ideas in India.
5 Best Business To Start Under 10K in India
1. Handmade Soaps & Bath Products
Why It Works:
If you’re looking for a business to start under 10K India, handmade soaps are a viable option to consider. With the rising demand for natural, chemical-free skincare products, this is one of the most creative yet profitable business ideas you can start from home. If you like experimenting, this can be your favourite among small business ideas for beginners.
Start-Up Cost Breakdown:
- Soap base & oils: ₹2,000–₹3,000
- Fragrances & essential oils: ₹1,500–₹2,000
- Molds & cutters: ₹500–₹1,000
- Packaging & labels: ₹1,000–₹2,000
Total: ₹5,000–₹8,500
Steps to Start:
- You can learn soap-making through video tutorials or even attend short workshops, both online and offline.
- Pick a niche – herbal, exfoliating, or goat milk soaps work well.
- Make small batches and get honest feedback.
- Design eco-friendly, attractive packaging to stand out.
- Sell on Instagram, local stores, or flea markets.
Earning Potential: ₹15,000–₹30,000/month in just 3–4 months.
Tip: Not only a low investment business idea, but handmade soaps are also one of the most flexible home-based business ideas for women. It’s a practical option for those seeking business ideas for women with low investment and the freedom to work from their kitchen.
2. Home-Based Tiffin Service
Why It Works:
If you’re searching for a business to start under 10K India that guarantees steady demand, a home-based tiffin service is a winner. Healthy, home-cooked meals are always in demand among office-goers, students, and working professionals. This is one of the most reliable, profitable business ideas because food is a daily need, not a seasonal trend. If you are someone who enjoys cooking, it is one of the best home-based business idea that can scale easily. You may even consider starting a cloud kitchen from home.
Start-Up Cost Breakdown:
- Ingredients for the first 2 weeks: ₹3,000–₹4,000
- Packaging boxes: ₹1,000–₹1,500
- Delivery coordination: ₹1,000
- Marketing (flyers, WhatsApp promos): ₹1,000
Total: ₹6,000–₹8,500
Steps to Start:
- Plan a simple yet varied weekly menu.
- Target offices, PGs, and hostels in your area.
- Offer a “trial week” at a discounted rate to get customers hooked.
- Use WhatsApp broadcasts to send daily menus and collect orders.
- Partner with Swiggy Genie, Dunzo, or local delivery boys for logistics.
Earning Potential: ₹20,000–₹40,000/month depending on orders.
Tip: A tiffin service is not only a low investment business idea but also one of the most stable small business ideas for beginners. It’s also among the most practical business ideas for women with low investment, as it can be run from your kitchen without renting a commercial space.
3. Customised Gifts & Hampers
Why It Works:
For those looking for a creative business to start under 10K India, customised gifts and hampers are a fantastic choice. From birthdays to weddings and corporate events, the demand for unique, personalised gifts is booming. This is one of the most versatile small business ideas because you can cater to different occasions throughout the year. It also qualifies as a profitable business idea since customers are willing to pay extra for thoughtful, made-to-order products.
Start-Up Cost Breakdown:
- Raw materials (mugs, frames, baskets): ₹2,000–₹3,000
- Printing or customisation services: ₹1,500–₹2,000
- Packaging: ₹1,000–₹1,500
- Marketing: ₹1,000
Total: ₹6,000–₹8,000
Steps to Start:
- Learn basic personalisation skills like vinyl cutting or sublimation printing.
- Offer hampers for festivals, weddings, and birthdays.
- Post high-quality product photos on Instagram or Facebook.
- Partner with bakers, florists, or stationery sellers to create combo hampers.
- Offer bulk discounts for corporate or festive orders.
Earning Potential: ₹15,000–₹25,000/month (higher during the festive season).
Tip: if you’re looking for festive-friendly home-based business ideas or a business idea for women with low investment, then this can be your ideal choice. By targeting peak seasons like Diwali, Rakhi, or even birthdays, you can increase orders and profit margins without significantly increasing costs.
4. Reselling Clothes & Accessories Online
Why It Works:
In India, the thrift and budget-fashion market is growing rapidly. Reselling clothes and accessories business is one of the easiest business to start under 10K in India, especially for women who want to work from home. This low investment business idea requires no manufacturing – you simply source quality items and sell them online for a profit.
Start-Up Cost Breakdown:
- Initial inventory from wholesalers or thrift markets: ₹4,000–₹6,000
- Basic packaging & labels: ₹500–₹1,000
- Marketing budget for Instagram/Facebook ads: ₹1,000–₹2,000
Total: ₹5,500–₹9,000
Steps to Start:
- Pick your niche- ethnic wear, western casuals, handbags, or jewellery.
- Source items from local markets, small manufacturers, or online suppliers.
- Create high-quality photos and list products on Instagram, Meesho, or your own Shopify store.
- Use social media to build trust through styling tips and customer reviews.
Earning Potential: ₹20,000–₹40,000/month within 2–3 months.
Tip: This is a profitable business idea for women who enjoy fashion. It can be scaled easily by introducing festive collections, limited-edition accessories, or home-based order packing to reduce costs.
5. Digital Services (Content, Design, Social Media)
Why It Works:
If you have creative or technical skills, offering digital services is one of the best business to start under 10K in India with almost zero start-up cost. Whether it’s content writing, graphic design, or social media management, this is a home-based business idea that can generate income quickly.
Start-Up Cost Breakdown:
- Laptop or desktop: already owned (or refurbished ₹7,000–₹10,000)
- Internet connection: ₹500–₹800/month
- Design tools/subscriptions (Canva Pro, Grammarly, etc.): ₹1,000–₹2,000/month
Total: ₹1,500–₹3,000 (if you already own a laptop)
Steps to Start:
- Decide your niche – content writing, logo design, or Instagram marketing.
- Build a small portfolio using free work for friends, NGOs, or personal projects.
- Create profiles on Fiverr, Upwork, and LinkedIn to attract clients.
- Offer package deals (e.g., 10 social media posts + captions for ₹2,500).
Earning Potential: ₹25,000–₹50,000/month in 3–4 months with consistent clients.
Tip: Digital services are a small business idea with minimal startup costs. They are perfect for women with low investment business ideas in mind, as the work can be managed entirely from home while serving clients across India and abroad.
Tips to Succeed in A Low-Investment Business:
- Start small, test demand before scaling.
- Use free marketing tools like Instagram Reels, WhatsApp Groups, and local Facebook pages.
- Track expenses from Day 1.
- Upsell existing customers.
- Reinvest profits into growth.
You don’t need lakhs of rupees or a fancy office to start your entrepreneurial journey. These low investment business ideas under ₹10,000 are proof that with the right idea, strategy, and consistent effort, you can build something meaningful and profitable.
The key is to start small, learn fast, and reinvest your profits into growing your business. Whether you choose to sell homemade snacks, offer digital services, or resell trendy products online, the opportunities are endless if you stay committed.
Remember: Every big business started small. Your ₹10,000 idea could be tomorrow’s success story.
When you’re ready to grow, Mahila Money offers resources and business loan options for women entrepreneurs to take the next leap.
If you are a woman entrepreneur who wants to take your business to new heights and is in need of working capital and entrepreneurship resources, come speak to us on Mahila Money. For more such #JiyoApneDumPe live conversations, download the Mahila Money App on Play Store or visit us on www.mahila.money
Under ₹10K mein business start karne ki idea hi gold hai!
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