31 Best Startup Ideas for Teens

Launching your own startup as a teen can be a lucrative and rewarding experience that’ll support your career goals as you inch closer to adulthood. But, the demands of school, hobbies, and a social life make it critical to choose a startup idea that offers a flexible schedule, requires minimal experience, and has low initial startup costs.

This guide highlights the best startup ideas for teen entrepreneurs that meet all three of those criteria. But, before you can launch your teen business, you’ll need to check with your local Secretary of State’s office to learn about any specific requirements for forming a legal business entity (e.g., a minimum age).

Startup Business Ideas for Teens

Today, teen entrepreneurs have unprecedented opportunities to launch successful startups. This list of startup ideas is tailored to leverage the strengths of young innovators, offering a range of options they can manage alongside school commitments with a minimal initial investment.

1. Fashion Upcycling 

If you have a passion for fashion and care about the environment, a sustainable fashion upcycling business could be perfect for you. This startup involves transforming secondhand or discarded clothing into trendy, one-of-a-kind pieces. You’ll need basic sewing skills, a good eye for fashion trends, and some creativity. Begin by upcycling clothes for yourself and friends, and then consider selling your creations on social media or at local markets. As your business grows, you could even launch your own website or collaborate with local vintage stores to source materials. Additionally, joining communities involved in the upcycling sector, such as Redress Raleigh or Remake World, can help build your network. 

2. Ecommerce

An ecommerce business sells goods online directly or facilitates the sale for makers, artisans, or others. The first step in launching an ecommerce startup involves deciding what type of store you’d like to open. For example, do you want to start an online boutique that sells a curated collection of clothing or create a platform on which people can sell their own used goods secondhand? Ecommerce is a broad term that offers many possibilities for entrepreneurs to create lucrative, successful businesses by connecting consumers with the products they want.

For more inspiration, check out our full list of ecommerce startup ideas.

3. Social Media Influencer

A successful social media influencer almost always understands how to create and effectively market a brand. If you think you’re up to the challenge, this can make a lucrative and exciting startup idea.

Influencers earn money through brand deals. Because every industry has influencers, you’re more likely to generate a large viewership and build a strong brand if you focus on a specific industry or niche for which you have a passion. In addition, you’ll need to feel comfortable with public speaking and connecting with your audience in order to attract brands that want to work with you.

4. Podcasting

As the popularity of podcasts continues to grow, it’s an ideal time to start a podcast of your own. The most successful podcasts feature engaging hosts and a specific topic that can attract interested listeners. You also must feel comfortable with interviewing and public speaking before you start a podcast.

Moreover, it’s best to choose a topic for which you have a passion and can see yourself dedicating a good amount of time to researching. For example, if you’re passionate about sustainability, your podcast could focus on interviewing other entrepreneurs who currently work to fight climate change.

5. Etsy Entrepreneur

Are you a crafter or an artist? If yes, you could sell your creations by becoming an Etsy entrepreneur. If you aren’t familiar with Etsy, it’s an online marketplace on which people sell their handmade goods. By selling on Etsy, you can benefit from its built-in ecommerce platform and instant brand exposure that enables people searching for similar products to easily find your shop.

To set your Etsy shop apart from the competition, offer distinctive, well-made goods with a personal touch. Consider offering customization on products for customers, if possible, and invest in attractive packaging.

6. Tech Tutoring for Seniors 

Many older adults struggle with using modern technology, creating an opportunity for tech-savvy teens to offer tutoring services. The tutoring industry has seen immense growth with more to come at an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.91% between 2024 and 2032. This business involves teaching seniors how to use smartphones, tablets, computers, and various apps and software. You’ll need patience, clear communication skills, and a solid understanding of common tech devices and applications. Start by offering lessons to family members or neighbors, and then consider partnering with local senior centers or retirement communities to expand your client base.

For more inspiration, explore our complete list of startup ideas for education entrepreneurs.

7. Personal Branding for Students

With college admissions and early career opportunities becoming increasingly competitive, many students are looking to stand out through personal branding. If you have a good understanding of social media, basic design skills, and know how to present yourself professionally online, you could offer personal branding services to your peers. This might include creating cohesive social media profiles, designing simple websites, or helping to craft compelling personal statements. Begin by optimizing your own online presence as an example, and then offer your services to classmates and expand through word-of-mouth referrals.

8. AI Art Generation Service

With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered art generation tools, there’s an opportunity for tech-savvy teens to offer custom digital art services. This business involves using AI tools to create unique artwork based on clients’ specifications. You’ll need to familiarize yourself with various AI art platforms, such as Gemini, DALL-E 2, and Canva, develop an eye for aesthetic composition, and have basic image editing skills to refine the AI-generated outputs. Begin by creating a portfolio of diverse AI-generated artwork, and then offer your services for personalized digital art, book covers, or even non-fungible token (NFT) projects.

9. Freelance Writing

If you’re a skilled or talented writer, freelance writing might provide a great way for you to make money without punching a clock. Freelance writers of all kinds are in demand by businesses and publications looking for temporary employees to write blog posts, articles, and other content.

One of the biggest benefits of freelance writing at a younger age is that you’ll gain experience that can help you later on as you establish a career. Sites like Upwork® and WriterAccess® provide a secure platform for businesses and freelancers to connect.

10. Cleaning

You can start a successful cleaning startup in several ways. For example, you could start a house-cleaning business, an office-cleaning business, or a graffiti-cleaning business, among others. This type of startup has low initial costs and flexible hours. You can schedule as many clients as you can manage based on your availability. Overhead costs include marketing materials, cleaning supplies, and vehicle expenses, which means it’ll cost very little to launch your cleaning startup.

11. Babysitting Business

This classic teen business requires little more than trustworthiness and some experience taking care of children. Building credibility with parents and your community will increase the likelihood of scoring babysitting jobs in your area. Once you establish yourself as a great babysitter, you’ll have the ability to book more jobs and grow your business.

Babysitters can charge by the hour, by the number of children in their care, or by a flat rate. The amount you charge should depend on your experience as a babysitter as well as the standard rate in your area.

12. Pet Sitting

As with babysitting, a pet-sitting business depends on the level of trust you can develop with pet owners in your community. It’s best if you have experience taking care of animals — even just caring for your family pet.

Pet sitters can charge by the day, by the animal, or by a flat rate. While customers often ask pet sitters to stay at their homes while they’re away, you can opt not to do so based on your comfort level.

For more inspiration, visit our full list of startup ideas for animal lovers.

13. Livestreaming

If you already spend a lot of time playing video games, why not make it a business venture? Livestreaming essentially involves broadcasting live footage of your game as you play, using a platform like TWITCH® or Smashcast®. This industry is ripe for new creators with the market expected to grow at a CAGR of 23% from 2024 to 2030. Once you obtain the minimum number of followers (e.g., 500 on TWITCH), you can become a partner of the livestreaming site and begin to make money based on the traffic your streams generate.

14. Graphic Design

Many businesses and organizations need graphic designers to create visual branding for use on everything from signage to marketing materials. Because graphic design is a fairly broad industry, having a multifaceted skill set can prove extremely beneficial. For example, proficiency in logo design as well as typography or web design can help you book more clients and build your portfolio. If you require training before diving into this field, consider online resources, such as Coursera, to learn valuable graphic design skills.

15. Online Game Creation

Tech-savvy teens, this one’s for you. Create your own online game for desktop computers, mobile devices, game consoles, or virtual reality devices. If you don’t have a background in engineering or computer science, you’ll need the help of someone well-versed in these areas in order to make your dream game come to life. But, those who can successfully start this type of business in their teen years can set themselves up to achieve a fulfilling career in game creation later on. In fact, this industry is poised for rapid growth with a projected value of $276 billion by 2033. 

16. App Development

App development represents another great startup idea for tech-savvy teens. While it might seem like there’s already an app for everything, the potential to create millions of apps for entertainment purposes or to solve everyday problems still exists.

If you don’t currently have an app idea, don’t worry. Start brainstorming ideas by conducting an audit of daily tasks or problems an app could simplify or solve. Many of the most popular apps solve a common problem, making them more likely to have widespread appeal. Or, consider joining an app accelerator or incubator, such as Techstars or AppCurate, to evolve your app idea. 

17. Dog Walking

Pet owners who travel, work full time, or can’t walk their dogs regularly due to health conditions need dependable dog walkers to help out. Before starting this type of business, you should have experience walking or caring for dogs of all sizes. You won’t always walk a Chihuahua, so you’ll need to feel comfortable walking larger, higher-energy breeds as well.

Strong organizational skills are essential for success in this business. You don’t want to overbook or double-book yourself. Keeping an organized schedule will help you manage your time and give your customers peace of mind because they’ll know exactly when you’ll walk their pet and take it outside.

18. Personal Shopper

For many people, hiring a personal shopper can help them accomplish errands they can’t complete on their own. Customers of this type of business often include elderly folks and busy professionals who need assistance picking up groceries or prescriptions. As a personal shopper, you’ll take responsibility for finding the items on your customer’s shopping list and delivering them to their door. That means you’ll need a vehicle with enough room to transport goods.

In addition, some personal shopping startups appeal to a more niche market like clothing or home decor. If you’ve got an eye for style and can choose items that correspond with a customer’s unique taste, then this startup idea may suit you perfectly.

19. House Sitting

Leaving your house unattended while traveling can often feel stressful. A house-sitting business gives homeowners the peace of mind that comes with knowing someone will regularly check on their valuables and take care of tasks like watering plants and collecting mail. The key to a successful house-sitting business is credibility. Establishing trust with homeowners in your community is critical to running a sustainable house-sitting business.

You also may want to consider combining two startup ideas by offering both house- and pet-sitting services. Boarding animals is expensive and stressful for many pet owners, so offering a combined service can make your business more appealing. This approach also can potentially allow you to charge more for your services.

20. Tech Support

Do you have a knack for solving technical problems? If so, you may want to consider launching a tech support startup. You can run this type of business entirely from your home and market it by posting flyers at schools, coffee shops, and libraries. You just need a phone, a website, and some technical experience. You also can charge by the job, the hour, or the type of device.

In this type of business, customers typically call or email with a technical issue and you, the tech support person, walk them through how to fix that issue. Alternatively, you can request your customers drop their computers off so you can take a first-hand look.

21. Errand-Running Service

Busy professionals, small businesses, and seniors typically need help running errands they can’t get to themselves. This could involve going to the post office, picking up dry cleaning, or taking a pet to a vet appointment.

To get started, you just need a vehicle, a phone, and some spare time. You can operate your errand-running business from home and market your services on bulletin boards at community centers, senior centers, or anywhere you can post a flyer with your information.

22. Lawn Care

Put your green thumb to good use by starting a lawn care business. It’s an easy, low-cost business to start with strong earning potential. Plus, it offers a flexible schedule and the chance to spend your days outside.

To gain traction for your business, consider investing in brochures that outline your services and pricing. Distribute those brochures to homes with lawns that may appreciate your services. Remember, closer customers will reduce your fuel costs as you drive to different houses with your equipment.

23. Food Truck

You don’t have to be a gourmet chef to start a successful food truck business. If you have moderate cooking skills, you can start a food truck or cart that serves basic foods at markets, parties, and school or community events. Or, you can take your food truck to the street and serve the public.

Importantly, you’ll either need food service experience or a partner who does to ensure you can safely operate your own food truck. If you’re unsure you’re ready to commit to a truck, consider a food cart or stall at event centers first.

For more inspiration, check out our complete list of startup ideas for food lovers.

24. Local Food Delivery 

While major food delivery apps dominate in big cities, many smaller towns and neighborhoods are underserved. You can fill this gap by creating a local food delivery aggregator that connects customers with restaurants in your area. In fact, this rapidly growing industry is projected to reach $562.7 billion in value by 2029.

This startup requires some technical skills to build a basic app or website as well as the ability to negotiate partnerships with local eateries. Start by approaching a few popular local restaurants and offering to list them on your platform. You can handle deliveries yourself initially, and then potentially expand to hiring other teen drivers as your business grows.

25. Mobile Coffee Cart

Many teens start work in a coffee shop, so why not run your own coffee business? A mobile coffee cart is a relatively low-cost alternative to opening a cafe. This type of business offers a flexible schedule and the opportunity to network within your community.

Customers typically hire coffee carts to work events like corporate retreats, school events, and even weddings. Make your business stand out by offering a customizable drink menu that can complement your customers’ event themes.

26. Clothing Line

Starting your own clothing line involves designing items, choosing textiles, and then manufacturing a collection of apparel. You can opt to sell your designs in retail stores or online via your own website. If you want a career in fashion, this provides a great place to start. But, you may want to work with a seamstress or experienced fashion designer to develop your designs before you start the manufacturing process.

To set your clothing line apart and reduce costs, consider using deadstock or recycled fabric. This will not only make your business more sustainable but also can attract customers seeking unique fabrics and a greener business model.

27. Edtech Startup

Online learning continues to gain popularity not only for its convenience, but also for its key role in facilitating continued education during health and weather crises. Providing additional tools for students — or people who just want to brush up on a subject — by developing an educational technology (edtech) startup can make education more accessible to a larger fraction of society.

Whether you plan to develop an app or create an online tutoring resource for students, you must first identify your target subject and platform. Additionally, successful edtech startups tend to offer a product that’s both effective and intuitive. Remember to consider those criteria during your product development process.

See our interview with the co-founders of edtech startup Trashbots!

28. Mobile Car Washing Service

Transform the traditional car wash model by bringing the service directly to your customers with a mobile car wash business. This eco-friendly approach saves water and offers convenience to busy car owners. You’ll need some basic car cleaning supplies, a portable water tank, and a vehicle to transport your equipment. Start by offering your services to family and neighbors, emphasizing your eco-friendly methods and the convenience of your mobile service. As you build a reputation, consider partnering with local businesses to offer car washes to their employees during work hours.

29. YouTube Channel

YouTube™ has billions of subscribers worldwide, which means the platform offers a great opportunity for new channels and video content. Starting your own video channel can represent another form of blogging (called “vlogging”) or provide a space for you to teach a skill or share a hobby. If you have a passion for ceramics, for example, you could start an entire channel about your process from clay to kiln.

Social media platforms focus on making connections, and YouTube is no exception. Every industry or hobby has the potential to connect with thousands of YouTube subscribers, which you could parlay into a lucrative business venture.

30. Board Game Creation

Board games provide a way for people to connect, have fun, and pass the time. With millions of people playing these games worldwide, creating your own board game can make for a creative — and lucrative — venture. Start by focusing on ways you can make the structure of your game distinctive, and then develop an interesting story to accompany it that’ll intrigue potential players.

31. Niche Subscription Boxes 

Subscription boxes have become a popular way for consumers to discover new products tailored to their interests. In fact, the industry continues to see growth with no sign of stopping. The subscription box industry is expected to rise at a CAGR of 19.51% between 2021 and 2031. 

As a teen entrepreneur, you can tap into this trend by creating niche subscription boxes aimed at your peers. Choose a theme that you’re passionate about, which could be anything from eco-friendly products to anime merchandise to local artisanal snacks. You’ll need to research potential products, negotiate with suppliers, and manage inventory and shipping. Start small with a limited number of subscribers, and then grow your business as you refine your product selection and operations.