If you live in Kolkata, you might benefit from knowing how to start and run businesses in India.  If you know the procedures and follow the rules, it’s not that tough to get your business off the ground.

It’s not always easy to start, at least without guidance. After all, according to the World Bank Ease of Doing Business report in 2009, Kolkata ranked 17 out of 17 cities surveyed in India. So, we’re here today to tell you the 30 best small business ideas for Kolkata so you can change that stat!

The process of obtaining a trade license in Kolkata is unique in India, and Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is the central authority that deals with the processing of new trade licenses and renewals.

Before we proceed, I think it’s best to warn you of the danger of not using a VPN in managing your business. Leaking important information online does not only risk your strategy but can hurt your finances as well. Make sure you browse in privacy and encrypt your subscription using VPN. Sign up here. 

Going back, the legal procedures may be a bit tricky, but if you start small and go for the simple business idea, you can start successful, and with time, you can learn enough to expand your business in the right direction.

Related Reading: 5 Things Indian Startups Should Know about Filing GST Return

Low-Investment Business Ideas in Kolkata

This article will discuss the business ideas in higher demand in Kolkata and are relatively easier to set up. Let’s start:

1- Tea & Breakfast Corner:

With tea being the most popular drink everywhere in India, there’s huge business potential in cities like Kolkata. With breakfast and snacks add-ons, you can set up a small-scale yet profitable business.

Before we proceed to discuss the next ideas, you might as well want to earn passively through survey apps like PrizeRebel, SurveyJunkie, and the like. Inviting your friends to join you in doing this fun will also give you some bucks for your business.

2- Fast Food Spot:

Fast food is as popular in Kolkata as in any other city in India. A small shop with an initial investment of Rs. 5,000 -10,000 can have a good scope in just any busy location.

Related Reading: 10 Mobile Food Kiosk Design Ideas

3- Fresh Juice Kiosk:

It’s one of the low-cost business ideas that can be established within Rs. 5,000 – 7,000. However, success depends on the product you offer, and you must have the business set up in the right location.

4- Snack Bar:

Let it be inside or outside of a school/college, the setup cost may vary from Rs. 10,000/- to 20,000/, however, the profits are just amazing. The start-up costs can be steep, however. If you own a vehicle, you can turn its available equity into cash through a car title loan! Check out the car title loan calculator online to learn more.

5- Home Based Bakery:

Yes, bakery items are much in demand in Kolkata. No matter how many bakeries are already there, the new one is always appreciated if it provides fresh and clean products. Setting up a home bakery in Kolkata may cost you Rs. 10,000, however, the amount may go up depending upon the business model.

Related Reading: How to Start a Home-Based Bakery

6- Tailoring:

A small-scale home-based tailoring business can easily be started with an investment of Rs. 10,000. All you have to invest in is a good machine and an electricity backup, rest your skill should do!

7- Small Scale Cloth Shop:

People in Kolkata buy ready-made clothes, but a huge population prefers buying the material to get it stitched according to their specifications. This is why the cloth shops are more popular than readymade garments. It can be quite profitable if you start small and target a specific economic group!

8- Readymade Garments:

Well, this one will need a good investment to start. However, profitability is in finding a cost-effective supplier and cheap transportation.

9- Xerox Photo Copier:

The service is much needed in the commercial hubs or else nearby educations institutes. All these places already have such services, but you can still find some hotspots near public courts, government offices, etc.

10- Computer Repairing Service:

If you have knowledge and skill, you don’t just need any investment to start a computer repair business. Yes, spend a little amount on getting your business card and meeting more and more people who can be your potential customers!

11- Digital Studio:

Though smartphone cameras do a lot, people prefer professional photographers to shoot their events. Much of households and businesses require digital studio services to be highly profitable if you have the skill. However, you need an initial investment of at least Rs. 50,000 to set up the computer, UPS, photo quality printer and of course a good digital camera.

Related Reading:

How to Start a Photography Business with No Money

12- Videography Business:

Life in Kolkata is busy yet exciting, and people want to preserve their special occasions through a professional videography service. Starting a videography business can be very exciting and profitable as well. All you need to invest in is a good camera which can be bought for Rs. 30,000 to 35,000.

13- Beauty Parlor:

Where there are women, there can be a beauty parlor. Setup cost may vary depending upon the location and the economic group you want to target. However, for a beauty parlor to be highly profitable, you must choose a good location in Kolkata. You can also offer services as a freelance makeup artist to high-end customers.

Related Reading: How to Setup Makeup Artist Business

14- Gents Salon:

It’s not women who need to look good, but men too want the same. Setting up a gent’s salon in Kolkata may not need that much amount as a ladies parlor requires, but it is as profitable as a ladies’ beauty parlor and, in some cases, more than that.

Related Reading: How to Start & Run a Successful Hair Salon Business

15- Tours Company:

Kolkata has a rich history, so they’re much more to see in Kolkata than you can think of. Explore your own city, create tour packages entertain visitors from outside with a guide to see all the best places in Kolkata. This business needs some investment to hire vehicles and guide with outstanding knowledge about the places.

16- Local Travel Agent:

Life in Kolkata is too busy, and the city hosts a large population from other parts of India. A travel agency dealing with railway reservations, bus reservations, taxis, etc., can be lucrative in Kolkata. However, it may need a small investment!

Related Reading:

5 No Cost Business Ideas for Travel Lovers

17- Small Electronic Shop:

Every residential and commercial unit needs electronic stuff, i.e., fans, heaters, light bulbs, plugs & switches, wires, and other stuff in demand in any big city like Kolkata!

18- Paint Shop:

Whitewash is a must for just any building at least once every two years, while most of them get it every year. A Paint shop can work great if you have the material and painters both!

19- Events Supplies:

Events happen all across India, and so is the case in Kolkata. People need chairs, pandals, pots, lighting, and a lot of other stuff for specific events. Find your hotspot and start your business where you offer stuff on hire!

20- Computer Hardware and Accessories Shop:

Buy USB, Blank CD, DVD, Mouse, Keyboard, etc., from wholesale and sell it in the local area!

21- Automobile Repair Shop:

The business is quite profitable, doesn’t need any huge investment, and is much in demand, but one must have the skill and proper marketing!

22- Mobile Repair & Accessories:

Just like any other city, Kolkata has the opportunity too. However, you must have the skill!

23- Tutoring Centre:

It may not need any investment at all if you are targeting primary classes. You can start right in your room. However, if you plan to offer your services to higher classes, you may need to spend some on promotion and space (if you plan group coaching).

24- Plants Nursery:

This business doesn’t need much investment but needs extensive care to manage the plants. On the other hand, you must first know who you want to sell the plants to and then devise your strategy accordingly.

25- Day Care:

Yes, Kolkata’s working class, where both husband and wife are on the job, need daycare. However, to start such a business from home, you must have a bigger space for safe kids to play.

Related Readings:

• Requirements for Opening Daycare or Childcare Business
• Things to Consider Before Starting a Childcare Business

26- Online Trading Business:

You can buy long-life items from wholesale and sell them online, i.e., jewelry, cosmetics, accessories, cloth materials, T-shirts, and whatever else you can find from your research on the local market!

Online activities can also pose security and privacy risks. That’s why you should be aware of the danger of not using a VPN in managing your business. Leaking important information online does not only risk your strategy but can hurt your finances as well. Make sure you browse in privacy and encrypt your subscription using VPN. Sign up here. 

Related Readings:

• How to Start & Run a Profitable Online Store with Drop Shipping
• Step by Step Guide to Online Investment Success with Olymp Trade

27- Blogging:

All you need is good writing skills and subject knowledge, and blogging can prove to be a great business. Though it suits almost everyone, stay at home mommies/homemakers and students can better use it!

Related Readings:

• 6 Ways to Build a Successful Revenue Model for Your Travel Blog
• Music Review Website; a Hot Business Opportunity for Music Lovers
• How to Build a Product Review Website Using WordPress

28- Standardized Test Tutoring:

Each year, students are preparing for their standardized tests. If you have always been a good test-taker and know the best ways to boost student scores, consider becoming a tutor for standardized tests. You can charge by the hour, and as you tutor more students you will gain credibility. 

29- Bridal Shop:

Seeing that India goes big on weddings, a great business idea could be opening up a bridal shop! All participants in weddings need special clothing to wear, so the demand for your products would be consistently high. Luckily, Kolkata is home to tons of young people, single or in relationships, who might find their perfect wedding attire in your shop.

30- Web Design:

If you have a knack for web development, you should consider doing some freelance web design on the side! If you’re successful, you could turn this into an agency of your own. Seeing as the world is still only at the beginning of its high-tech future, every business out there might eventually need a website—and you could be the one to do it for them. There’s a lot of money in web development as of 2021, so jump in while it’s still hot!

The Bottom Line:

There may be some difficulties when you start up a business in Kolkata, but you don’t find challenges while starting up in the world. If you are serious about starting your own business in Kolkata, start small, and gradually grow the opportunities; the opportunities are unlimited. Things will be easy as you learn business tactics.