What do you need to start a company? Clearly: a good business idea. But what exactly does that mean?
A business idea is more than a spontaneous idea that comes to you in the shower or while having a beer with friends. It includes not only a problem solution but also initial considerations of how to make money with it.
Your business idea is the core of your business concept. Expand it step by step into a business model and later describe in your business plan how you want to implement it.
How do I recognize a good business idea?
A good business idea
- solves a real problem or solves it better than existing companies,
- fits the founder personality and
- meets a market large enough to make a living.
How do I find a business idea that suits me?
The following questions will help you find a suitable business idea:
- Why do I want to start my own business?
- What am I particularly good at?
- What am I enjoying?
- What is important to me in life?
If you have answered these questions and are walking through the world with open eyes, always looking for unresolved or poorly solved problems, you will soon get closer to your business idea. Do it like brainstorming: write down everything that comes to mind, even if it is wrong. It will be assessed and sorted out later!
Three ways to your own business idea
Basically, all business ideas can be sorted into three drawers with the inscriptions tried and tested, improved and new.
1. Proven business ideas
This drawer contains all business ideas that have already been tried and tested several times: from the law firm to the fitness studio and the pet store. Free yourself from the thought of having to reinvent the wheel. You can also be successful with a proven business idea - provided you can answer the following questions:
- Is there a shortage or is the market already oversaturated?
- How can I assert myself against the competition?
- What makes my company unique?
Incidentally, franchise systems are the best proof that innovation is not a must when setting up a business: They are based on the principle of transferring a proven concept to several locations in the same way. Maybe the franchise is an option for you too?
Taking over or continuing business can also be an option to implement a proven business idea. The topic of succession is not only present in the media but is a real issue for many companies. You can think about whether you can imagine becoming a successor.
2. Improved business ideas
Sometimes a company's success is based on solving a problem a bit better than before. If your offer is simpler, healthier, more environmentally friendly or more exclusive than that of your competitors, you are on the right track.
To improve a business idea, you should clarify the following points:
- What problem can I solve better than existing companies?
- What can I omit, add, or modify to achieve a better solution?
- Why do existing companies stick to the old solution?
- Is my solution so much better that customers give up their habits and are ready to switch?
It is important that the improvement relates to customer benefit. Think about how you could improve a proven business idea from a customer perspective.
3. New business ideas
Developing a completely new business idea and thus solving a problem for which there is still no solution - this is considered the supreme discipline in the start-up scene.
The following questions are instructive if you want to take this route:
- What problem are you solving for which there is still no solution?
- For whom is this problem significant?
- Are your potential customers even looking for a solution?
- Why is there still no solution?
New business ideas are often particularly risky because it is unclear whether there is a target group at all and whether the technical implementation works. This is not the case for companies that rely on a proven concept. To do this, they have to deal more with the competition and find a strategy to assert themselves alongside the top dogs in the industry.
Each type of business idea has its advantages and disadvantages. Whether it has been tried and tested for generations or has never been there before, the decisive factor is whether it is well thought out and cleverly implemented.
On the start-up platform, you will find many tools and advice for developing ideas. We also introduce you to various business ideas. You can implement it in your own way, improve it or understand it as inspiration for your very own solutions - just as it suits you.
business ideas
Open a cafe
Acafé is a dream for many. We give you tips in terms of concessions and permits from the trade office, business plan and financing, location and business idea.
Open restaurant
Good gastronomy is more than good food - tips for founders on a restaurant license, health office, financing, insurance and permits.
Start part-time
If you are self-employed, you have to work 60 hours a week and have hardly any time for the family? All nonsense - as thousands of successful part-time start-ups show every year.
Open bar
If you want to found a bar, you need a restaurant license, various permits, a financial plan and a good concept. We inform what needs to be considered when founding a company.
Open gym
In principle, everyone can open a gym, but be prepared: the start-up costs and the associated financing make a strong business plan necessary.
Open store
Concentrated knowledge for you: This is how you can open your shop! What do you have to think about? Check out the tip overview at Gründer platform.de now!
Open online shop
Is it exactly your plan to open an online shop? Find out from us about the advantages and disadvantages of shop systems. What suits you Find out!
Become a freelancer
The overview: How can you become a freelancer? All information and a list of free professions now at digital farmer!
Establish a fashion label
This is how you plan a successful fashion label from the start! Founding platform.de tells you what you should consider when it comes to the offer, costs and the start of the label!
Establish driving school
Your way to found your own driving school! We have an overview: costs, requirements and the first steps. Step on the gas and click here!
Establish temporary employment agency
Here is the complete guide to setting up a temporary employment agency! Jump on the train now and become a successful service provider on the job market!
Establish cleaning company
Read our complete guide to setting up a cleaning company! Determine your range of services & become a successful service provider on the cleaning market!
Open pub
Check out our preparation guide to open a pub! Regulations, financing, acquisition or start-up: Here is the most important information for you!
Open a bakery
Baked goods with a personal touch are back in fashion! Read in our knowledge base how to open a bakery. Get clever tips and click here!
Open hair salon
Here is the complete overview of the hairdressing salon: Evidence, registration with offices, financing. Do you want to style your hair on the go? Click smart!
Open pension
Open a pension without much stress: With fewer than 8 beds, you don't need a license! If you also like to meet new people: Here is your guide!
Open health food store
Open a health food store as a shop or online - organic is a way of life! Read here how you perform well with good positioning!
Establish business consulting
Do you want to start a business consultancy? What you need for this - and what you need to have as a consultant: you can read it here!
Open travel agency
Guide people to the most exciting places! We will show you how this works: Requirements and tips are available transparently on the start-up platform!
Establish a music label
Publish the music you like with your own music label. On the start-up platform you will find tips and find out what to look for when starting up!
Establish nursing service
Establish a nursing service and do everything right: no problem with our step-by-step instructions. Bonus: real experiences of a care provider!
Open kiosk
Find out valuable insider tips for opening a kiosk. Also: 3 different ways to get started with your kiosk + interview with owner!
Open snack bar
With these insider tips, you can easily open a snack bar. Get a look behind the scenes with gastro coach Björn Grimm!
Open boutique
With these insider tips, you can easily open a boutique. Get a look behind the scenes with exclusive experiences of an owner!
Open flower shop
With this comprehensive guide, you can plan the opening of your flower shop. Click here and get all information and a free business plan tool!
Open ice cream parlor
With this comprehensive guide you can plan the opening of your ice cream parlor. Click here for all information and your free business plan tool!
Open pizzeria
With this step-by-step list you can plan the opening of your pizzeria. Click here for all information and your free business plan tool!
Establish a franchise
Set up a strong franchise company with our complete overview: costs, tasks, financing including checklist for the franchise selection. Everything is here!
Self-employed as a student
With this comprehensive guide you can think through your independence during your studies. Click here for all information and free planning tools!
Found an engineering office
With this comprehensive guide you can plan the foundation of your engineering office. Click here and get all information and a free business plan tool!
Become a speaker
Tell about your own experiences & earn money with it: Sounds great! The successful speaker Nick Martin tells you in our interview how he can make a living from it.
Found an advertising agency
Establish a performing advertising agency with our complete overview. Costs, tasks, financing incl. 3 survival tips: all information here!
Establish recruitment agency
Get the overview for the foundation of a competitive recruitment agency! Benefit from the experience of a successful owner.
Establish property management
Get the tips for starting a competent property management company! A property manager shares valuable and important experiences.
Open a physiotherapy practice
Learn here which regulations and topics you need to pay attention to when opening your physiotherapy practice. Your path to your own practice is clear and straightforward!
Open club
Your passion is night life? Do you love good music and do you know your subculture well? Then starting a club might be your thing.
Open hotel
Are you dreaming of opening a hotel or a pension? We'll tell you how to cleverly prepare your foundation.
Open pharmacy
Your own pharmacy - that's what most aspiring pharmacists dream of. But which is wiser: to take over an existing pharmacy or to found a new one?
Found a brewery
Are you planning to set up your own brewery? Find out how to best do it here. With start-up tips from successful young brewers.
Become an influencer
What really belongs to becoming an influencer? Can you just make money with it? Get tips from influencer pusher Jan Rode here!
Establish transport companies
Start your successful transport company now and get into an industry with a future. How it works? You can find out here.
Open kebab shop
It's better to turn the meat skewer than to go crazy: With our overview of the kebab shop you can start your snack company! Click smart!
Open cinema
Film ab: To everyone who has always dreamed of turning their passion for film into a profession. Here you can find out how to open your own cinema.
Self-employed as a photographer
Earning money with photography - this is still possible in the age of smartphones. Find out how to convince your customers with a good business concept.
Establish an event agency
Would you like to set up an event agency? Here is how it goes. With lots of tips for beginners and free start-up tools. First read, then get started!
Become a millionaire
The safest way to become a millionaire? Start your own company!
Become a childminder
Do you want to be a childminder? Find practical tips and a quick guide for your path to self-employment on the start-up platform.
Do it yourself as a yoga teacher
Become self-employed as a yoga teacher? This works out! Find out here how you can best prepare for self-employment and how you can keep the risk low. With checklist
Open hostel
Would you like to open your own hostel and start your own business? Here you can find out how to make your dream come true.
Open your own campsite
You would like to found or take over a campsite - you will find all the requirements, tips and tools for starting your own business here.
Establish law firm
Are you a lawyer and want to open your own law firm? With the tools of the start-up platform, you start your own business step by step.
Open animal shelter: this is how you can help animals
You want to open a shelter or a sanctuary - here you can find out everything about starting an animal protection association and how you can start.
Open the unpacked shop
Sustainable success: you want to open your own unpackaged shop? Tips and tools from the business model to financing your dream.
Establish publishing house
From idea to financing: This is how you create a concept and business plan if you want to start a publishing house - with insider tips from the publishing industry.
Start an agency
Founding an agency - for many freelancers this is the dream. But when does it make sense and how do you start with good planning?
Open laundromat
Is it worth opening a laundromat and how do you become successful? Interesting facts and what the business model and business plan for your own laundromat contain.
Open mobile phone shop
Selling smartphones and accessories in your own shop: everything you need to know to open a mobile phone shop. From the idea to the business plan.
Establish bus companies
Self-employed with a bus company - requirements, financing and the best legal form: What you need to know as a business founder.
