A common misconception is that to start a business you need thousands of euros, an office and a team. In reality, in 2026 you only need a laptop, an internet connection, the right idea and a place to work. Technology, digital platforms and changing consumer habits have opened the door to entrepreneurship with a minimal initial investment – often less than €500.
In this article we present 10 proven business ideas for 2026, each with a concrete estimate of the capital required, earning potential and practical tips for getting started. And yes – all of them can be started from a coworking space with a coffee in hand.
Quick overview: 10 ideas in one place
| # | Business idea | Startup capital | Annual potential | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Freelancing (writing, design, development) | €0–200 | €15,000–60,000+ | Low |
| 2 | Social media management | €0–100 | €12,000–40,000 | Low |
| 3 | AI services for businesses | €0–300 | €15,000–50,000 | Medium |
| 4 | Online tutoring and courses | €0–200 | €10,000–50,000 | Low |
| 5 | Dropshipping / e-commerce | €100–500 | €10,000–80,000+ | Medium |
| 6 | Virtual assistant (VA) | €0–100 | €12,000–35,000 | Low |
| 7 | Niche blog with affiliate marketing | €50–200 | €5,000–40,000 | Medium |
| 8 | Consulting and coaching | €0–200 | €15,000–70,000+ | Medium |
| 9 | Local services (cleaning, delivery) | €100–500 | €15,000–45,000 | Low |
| 10 | Print-on-demand products | €50–300 | €5,000–40,000 | Low |
1. Freelancing – your skills as a service
Writing, graphic design, web development, video production, translation
Freelancing remains one of the most accessible entries into entrepreneurship. If you have a skill – writing, design, programming, video production or translation – you can start today with what you have. In 2026 demand for remote freelancers keeps growing, as companies increasingly rely on project-based hiring instead of employment. The key to success: specialise. Instead of „I do everything“, choose a niche – e.g. „SEO writing for SaaS companies“ or „UI/UX design for mobile apps“.
- Startup capital: €0–200 (you already have a laptop and internet)
- Annual earning potential: €15,000–60,000+ (depending on specialisation)
- Platforms to start: Upwork, Fiverr, LinkedIn, Toptal (for premium), local Facebook groups
Practical tip: Start with 2–3 projects at a lower price to build a portfolio. Then raise your prices and look for direct clients outside the platforms. Read more about the benefits of working from a coworking space in the article 5 reasons why freelancers choose coworking.
2. Social media management
Help businesses build a presence on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn and Facebook
Small businesses, restaurants, hairdressers, gyms, local craftspeople – they all need a social media presence, but most lack the time or knowledge for it. This is where you come in. You can start by managing 2–3 clients and gradually expand to paid advertising (Meta/Google Ads), content creation and brand strategy.
- Startup capital: €0–100 (Canva, free tools)
- Annual earning potential: €12,000–40,000 (€300–1,000/client/month)
- Platforms to start: Canva, Later, Buffer, Meta Business Suite, ChatGPT for content ideas
Practical tip: Offer a free first month of management to a local business in exchange for a testimonial and demonstrating results.
3. AI services for businesses
Help businesses use AI to work more efficiently
In 2026 AI has gone mainstream – but most small businesses still don’t know how to use it in practice. This is a huge opportunity for those who understand tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Midjourney, Make.com or Zapier. You can offer: setting up AI chatbots for customers, automating repetitive processes, optimising content with AI or training employees on the use of AI tools.
- Startup capital: €0–300 (most AI tools have free or cheap plans)
- Annual earning potential: €15,000–50,000
- Platforms to start: ChatGPT, Claude, Make.com, Zapier, Midjourney, Perplexity
Practical tip: Start with free workshops for local businesses – show them what AI can do and offer a paid implementation.
4. Online tutoring and courses
Teach languages, programming, mathematics, music or career advice
Demand for online education keeps growing in 2026. If you have knowledge in any field – from mathematics and programming to languages and music – you can start with tutoring via video call. Later you can create recorded courses that work for you even while you sleep (passive income). The key: choose a specific topic and target audience.
- Startup capital: €0–200 (camera, microphone, software)
- Annual earning potential: €10,000–50,000 (depending on the model: 1-on-1 vs. courses)
- Platforms to start: Udemy, Teachable, Skillshare, Zoom, Google Meet
Practical tip: Start with 1-on-1 tutoring. Once you have 10+ satisfied clients, create a recorded course from the most common questions.
5. Dropshipping and e-commerce
Sell products without your own warehouse – the supplier ships directly to the customer
Dropshipping lets you sell products without ever holding them in your hands. You set up an online store, choose products, run the marketing – and the supplier takes care of storage and shipping. The key is finding a niche with enough demand and low competition (e.g. ergonomic office accessories, eco products, pets). Alternatively: sell your own digital products (templates, e-books, plans).
- Startup capital: €100–500 (Shopify/WooCommerce, domain, initial advertising)
- Annual earning potential: €10,000–80,000+ (depending on the niche and marketing)
- Platforms to start: Shopify, WooCommerce, Printful (for print-on-demand), Spocket, DSers
Practical tip: First test demand with minimal advertising (€50–100). Only when you see sales should you invest more.
6. Virtual assistant (VA)
Help entrepreneurs with administrative tasks remotely
Entrepreneurs, startups and managers need help with email, calendars, data entry, invoices, travel and communication – but they don’t need a full-time employee. This is where you come in as a virtual assistant. In 2026 this service is in high demand, especially among English-speaking companies looking for a VA in EU time zones at competitive prices.
- Startup capital: €0–100
- Annual earning potential: €12,000–35,000 (€15–30/hour)
- Platforms to start: Belay, Time Etc, Upwork, LinkedIn
Practical tip: Learn to use tools like Notion, Slack, Asana and Google Workspace. This sets you apart from the competition.
7. Niche blog with affiliate marketing
Create useful content and earn through affiliate programmes
A blog is not dead in 2026 – but a generic blog is. The key is the niche: choose a narrow topic (e.g. „the best home office equipment“, „travelling with dogs in Slovenia“, „SEO tools for sole traders“) and create in-depth, SEO-optimised content. Income comes from affiliate links (you recommend products and earn a commission on each sale), sponsored articles and advertising.
- Startup capital: €50–200 (domain, hosting, WordPress)
- Annual earning potential: €5,000–40,000 (results after 6–12 months)
- Platforms to start: WordPress, Yoast SEO, Amazon Associates, Google AdSense
Practical tip: Publish at least 2–3 quality articles per week. SEO takes time, but once traffic grows, the blog earns passively.
8. Consulting and coaching
Monetise your professional experience and knowledge
Do you have 5+ years of experience in a particular industry? Then you have knowledge that people are willing to pay for. Consulting and coaching are among the most profitable low-cost businesses, because you sell your knowledge – with no physical products, no inventory, no logistics. The fields with the highest demand in 2026: careers, finance, health, marketing, productivity and leadership.
- Startup capital: €0–200 (a website, video tools)
- Annual earning potential: €15,000–70,000+ (€50–200/hour or packages)
- Platforms to start: Calendly, Zoom, LinkedIn, your own website
Practical tip: Start with free introductory sessions. Then offer paid packages (e.g. 4 sessions for €400).
9. Local services (cleaning, delivery, maintenance)
Offer practical services in your local community
Local services are „boring“ on paper, but extremely profitable in practice. Office cleaning, mobile car washing, handyman help, furniture assembly, delivery, help for the elderly – all of this has stable demand, low competition and a high rate of repeat customers. It requires little capital, but reliability and quality.
- Startup capital: €100–500 (basic equipment and transport)
- Annual earning potential: €15,000–45,000
- Platforms to start: Google Business Profile, local Facebook, Bolha.com, good word of mouth
Practical tip: Start with one service and one neighbourhood. Once you have 5–10 regular customers, expand your offer.
10. Print-on-demand products
Sell T-shirts, mugs and bags with your own designs – no inventory
Print-on-demand is like dropshipping for creatives: you create a design, the platform prints it on a product and ships it to the customer. No inventory, no printing, no shipping. Ideal for designers, illustrators or anyone with a creative streak. Popular products: T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, stickers, posters, bags.
- Startup capital: €50–300 (Shopify/Etsy, design tools)
- Annual earning potential: €5,000–40,000
- Platforms to start: Printful, Printify, Shopify, Etsy, Redbubble, Canva
Practical tip: Create 10–20 designs and test them on Etsy. Promote the ones that sell with Instagram and TikTok.
How to start – 5 steps from idea to your first earnings
- Choose an idea that matches your skills – Don’t pick something because it’s „trendy“. Choose something you already know or are genuinely interested in.
- Validate the demand – Before you invest, check: do people actually search for and pay for this? Google Trends, Upwork and Facebook groups are free resources.
- Start with the minimum – You don’t need a perfect website, logo or office. Start with Gmail, an Excel sheet and your knowledge.
- Get your first 3–5 clients – Offer a lower price or a free trial in exchange for testimonials and reviews. The first clients are the most valuable.
- Find your workspace – Working from home has its limits. When it gets serious, find a coworking space that offers you a professional environment, networking and everything you need – from €135/month with everything included.
Why is coworking ideal for starting a business with little capital?
If you are starting a business with minimal capital, renting an office is the upper limit of your costs. This is where coworking shines:
- Lower fixed costs – €135/month vs. €500–1,500 for your own office. Everything included, no surprises.
- A professional address and meeting room – for client meetings, without looking like a „garage startup“.
- Networking – your next client or business partner may be sitting at the next desk.
- No long-term commitment – at makerSP_CE there is no notice period. Try it for a day (€20) or a week (€70).
- Productivity – a professional environment keeps you focused on work, not on washing the dishes.
Read more about why founders choose coworking in the article How to stay motivated as a startup founder. For freelancers we recommend 5 reasons why freelancers choose coworking. A detailed overview of prices can be found in the article How much does a coworking space cost.
Frequently asked questions about starting a business with minimal capital
Can I really start a business with no money?
Yes – several ideas on this list (freelancing, VA, consulting, social media management) require literally €0 of startup capital. You just need a laptop, internet and your knowledge.
Which legal form is best for starting out?
In Slovenia, the most common form to start with is the sole trader (s.p.), which you can register for free at a SPOT point. For a larger business or asset protection, consider a limited company (d.o.o.) (minimum capital: €7,500, which can be paid in instalments). More about the sole trader and coworking in the article 5 reasons why sole traders choose coworking.
How much can I realistically earn in the first year?
It depends on the idea and your effort. Realistically: freelancers and VAs usually reach €1,000–2,000/month in the first 6 months. Dropshipping and blogging require more time (6–12 months) for the first serious income.
Do I need an office to start a business?
Not necessarily, but a professional work environment significantly increases productivity and seriousness. A coworking space is the ideal compromise – professional yet accessible (from €20/day or €135/month).
Which of these ideas has the greatest potential in Slovenia?
Given the Slovenian market, the following are especially promising: social media management (most small businesses urgently need it), AI services (a big opportunity, few providers), consulting (high added value) and local services (cleaning, delivery – stable demand).
Conclusion: The best time to start is today
None of these 10 ideas requires thousands of euros in capital, an MBA degree or a year of preparation. What they do require is the determination to start today – not tomorrow, not „when the time is right“, but today. As experienced entrepreneurs say: the best time to start was 5 years ago – the second best time is today.
Choose the idea that suits you. Start with a minimal investment. Get your first few clients. And when it gets serious, move to an environment that supports your growth – like the makerSP_CE coworking space in Ljubljana, where for €135/month you get everything you need for productive work.
💡 Have an idea? You just need a place to work.
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