10 start-up ideas for school students

According to Deloitte’s 2023 Gen Z and Millennial survey, a significant portion of individuals have expressed heightened worry about the soaring cost of living, followed closely by concerns about unemployment. The findings reveal that many Gen Z members struggle to make ends meet, as a result, an increasing number are resorting to additional jobs or side gigs in an effort to alleviate their financial anxieties.

These are responses of 22,856 individuals, of which 14,483 were Generation Zs and 8,373 were Millennials from 44 countries across North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific. The report includes inputs of 800 respondents from India as well.

In light of this, what could be better than to try and kick-start a new venture? The entrepreneurial spirit knows no age boundaries and today’s school students are brimming with creative ideas and a desire to make a difference. So, starting a business while still in school is a great idea which can not only provide valuable learning experiences, but also offer a glimpse into the world of entrepreneurship.

According to Mr Aditya Arora, Chief Executive Officer of Faad Network, who aids new companies with the right network and capital, “Entrepreneurship is never a journey full of roses. Students have to bear in mind the problem they are looking to solve and then build a creative solution around it. So, start something of your own or work under somebody else till you understand the problem you want to solve. It may impact many in the society.”

In this article, we list down top ten start-up ideas that can enable young minds to explore their potential. Check out! 

Tutoring Service

One of the most accessible and popular start-up ideas is offering tutoring services to fellow students. Utilising their academic strengths and knowledge in specific subjects, school students can provide personalised tutoring sessions. This business requires minimal costs, primarily limited to study materials and marketing efforts.

Customise Merchandise

With the rise of online platforms for custom merchandise, students can tap into their creativity and design skills to create and sell personalised products like t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, or stationery. The initial investment includes design software, raw materials, and e-commerce platforms.

Event Planning

School students can leverage their organisational and planning skills to start an event planning business, catering to small-scale events such as birthday parties, fundraisers, and social gatherings. The primary costs involve marketing, transport, and event supplies.

Mobile App Development

In today’s digital age, the demand for mobile applications continues to grow. Students with coding and programming skills can develop mobile apps to solve specific problems or provide entertainment. The costs may primarily revolve around software development tools and marketing efforts.

Social Media Management

Many businesses struggle to maintain a strong online presence. Students who are adept at social media platforms can offer their services as social media managers, helping businesses create engaging content, manage accounts, and increase their online visibility. Costs are minimal, involving marketing and management tools.

Eco-Friendly Products

With a growing emphasis on sustainability, students can start businesses that focus on eco-friendly products, such as reusable bags, biodegradable packaging, or upcycled fashion items. Costs will depend on the specific product, raw materials, and manufacturing processes.

Blogging/Vlogging

Those passionate about writing or creating videos can start their own blog or YouTube channel. By producing engaging content on topics they are knowledgeable about or have a strong interest in, they can generate income through advertising and sponsorships. Costs mainly include video equipment, website hosting, and marketing efforts.

Pet Services

Animal lovers can offer various pet services, including dog walking, pet sitting, grooming, or training. These ventures require minimal start-up costs, primarily limited to basic supplies and marketing efforts.

Personalised Crafts

Creative little ones can turn their artistic skills into a business by offering personalised crafts, such as handmade jewellery, home decor items, or customised gifts. Start-up costs involve art supplies, materials, and marketing efforts.

Healthy Snack Delivery

In response to the increasing demand for healthier food options, students can start a healthy snack delivery service, offering nutritious snacks to their peers. Initial costs include ingredients, packaging, and marketing expenses.

Starting a business as a school student not only fosters entrepreneurship, but also provides practical experience in various aspects of running a venture. The start-up ideas mentioned above offer a range of possibilities, allowing young entrepreneurs to explore their interests and create successful businesses.

To learn the tricks of the trade, pay heed to the counsel of the seasoned. Here you go:

Sharing his advice for students, Mr Aditya Bhalla, Founder and Technical Director at Aeroganics says, “Students must ensure to set themselves up with a start-up incubator. It is a collaborative programme for start-up companies, usually physically located in one central workspace which is designed to help start-ups in their infancy succeed by providing workspace, seed funding, mentoring and training. In collaboration with esteemed universities such as IITs or IIMs, you will have a better chance at success.” Mr Bhalla is an Apeejay alumnus whose venture promises Delhiites the freshest and highest quality culinary ingredients year-round.

Further, he said, “To have proper guidance before starting any venture is crucial. Therefore, try to stay updated with the field you choose and learn from industry experts whenever you get a chance.” According to him, Agri-tech, Internet of Things (IoT), 3D printing, are some domains students must consider.

By combining their skills, passion, and creativity, school students can make a positive impact while developing essential entrepreneurial skills that will benefit them in the future. Another entrepreneur and Apeejay alumna, Srishtti Anthwall says, “Women (or anyone) looking to start their venture should focus on skill development first (including soft skills) in basic domains as well as specialised domains as per their relative fields. Research, Re-evaluate, Refinement are the three “Rs” necessary for problem solving. Paired with hard skills, these will help you carve a niche in your chosen sector and help you thrive.”  The gifted professional successfully runs her venture, Srishtti Anthwall Architects and Planners, situated in the heart of Noida city.

She also mentioned the value of networking with people in the field chosen. “Join professional groups to understand the market in general and have at least a year of internships to understand the practicality of running a business. Smaller the company, the better will be learning opportunities,” she shared.  

Lastly, she encouraged all students to just dive in, not overthink and trust their intuition. “Having an immediate, medium and a long-term goal for your start-up is important. Once set, re-visit these goals if required from time to time. Ventures can be anything as long as its market feasibility is positive. So, understanding the gaps in the existing market combined with one’s personal area of interest can bring a great business to life.”