Opportunity #7 - Smart Bike Sharing

A service that allows users to rent and return electric bikes using a mobile app, and provides them with real-time data on traffic, weather, and bike availability.

Why now?: Bike sharing is a popular and eco-friendly mode of transportation in many European cities, but it also faces challenges such as theft, vandalism, maintenance, and availability . A service that uses smart technology to enhance the user experience and the operational efficiency would have a competitive edge in the market.

Region: Europe, especially in urban areas with high demand for bike sharing

Investment costs (min - max): $1,000,000 - $10,000,000

Who can start this type of business? (skills required): Entrepreneurs with skills in software development, hardware engineering, and transportation management, as well as a passion for mobility and sustainability.

Opportunity #1 - Smart Padel Rackets

A padel racket that has sensors and Bluetooth connectivity to track and analyze the player’s performance, such as speed, spin, accuracy, and calories burned.

Why now?: Padel is a fast-growing sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. It is popular in Spain, Portugal, and Latin America, and is gaining traction in other countries. Padel players are looking for ways to improve their skills and enjoy the game more.

Region: Spain, which is the largest market for padel, with over 5 million players and 20,000 courts.

Investment costs (min - max): $500,000 - $5 million, depending on the quality and features of the smart racket and the marketing strategy.

Current rivals: Babolat, which offers a smart tennis racket that can be adapted for padel, and other padel racket manufacturers that may enter the smart racket segment.

Who can start this type of business (skills required)?: Electronics engineers, software developers, padel experts, and marketers.

Opportunity #2 - Virtual Team Building Solutions

Offering virtual team building activities and platforms for remote teams to enhance collaboration and morale.

Why Now?: With the rise of remote work, companies are seeking innovative ways to boost team cohesion and productivity.

Region: Global demand, with a focus on regions with a high concentration of remote workers like North America and Europe.

Investment Costs (Min - Max): $10,000 - $50,000 for platform development, marketing, and initial operations.

Current Rivals: Examples include TeamBuilding, Wildly Different, and Outback Team Building & Training.

Who Can Start this Business?: Individuals with expertise in team building, virtual event planning, and digital marketing.

Opportunity #3 - Personalized Nutrition Service

A service that provides customized and evidence-based nutrition advice and guidance for individuals, based on their goals, preferences, health conditions, and genetic profiles.

Why now?: People are becoming more health-conscious and interested in optimizing their nutrition and wellness, but they may also face confusion and misinformation from various sources. There is a need for a service that can offer reliable and tailored nutrition solutions that can suit different needs and lifestyles.

Region: US, UK, Canada, and other countries where health awareness and spending are high, and where personalized nutrition technology and research are advanced and accessible.

Investment costs (min - max): $50,000 - $500,000, depending on the type and quality of the nutrition services, the equipment and software, and the staff and marketing of the service.

Current rivals: Some examples of existing personalized nutrition services are CircleDNA, Viome, and Nutrigenomix.

Who can start this type of business (skills required)?: Someone with a background and expertise in nutrition and genetics, as well as skills in software development, data analysis, and customer service.

Opportunity #4 - Eco-Friendly Packaging

Providing sustainable packaging alternatives for businesses looking to reduce their environmental impact.

Why Now?: Growing environmental consciousness among consumers and businesses is driving the demand for eco-friendly solutions.

Region: Target markets include environmentally conscious regions like Scandinavia, Western Europe, and North America.

Investment Costs (Min - Max): $20,000 - $100,000 for research, development, production equipment, and marketing.

Current Rivals: Competitors include EcoEnclose, Salazar Packaging, and Elevate Packaging.

Who Can Start this Business?: Entrepreneurs with a background in sustainable product development, supply chain management, and sales.

Opportunity #5 - AI-Powered Predictive Maintenance Solutiions

Providing AI-driven predictive maintenance solutions for industries to optimize equipment performance and reduce downtime.

Why Now?: Industries are increasingly adopting predictive maintenance strategies to prevent costly equipment failures and minimize downtime. AI technologies can analyze machine data to predict maintenance needs accurately, making this a promising business opportunity.

Region: Targeting industrial hubs globally where predictive maintenance is becoming a standard practice such as manufacturing centers in the US, Germany, and Japan.

Investment Costs (Min - Max): $30,000 - $150,000 for AI model development, sensor integration, software implementation, pilot projects with clients, and marketing efforts.

Current Rivals: Competitors include companies like IBM IoT Predictive Maintenance and Uptake offering AI-based predictive maintenance solutions to industrial clients.

Who Can Start this Type of Business (Skills Required)?: Entrepreneurs with expertise in industrial engineering, data analytics, machine learning algorithms, knowledge of IoT devices, and experience in servicing industrial clients are well-equipped to establish this venture.

Opportunity #6 - Podcast Production Service

A service that helps aspiring and existing podcasters create and produce high-quality and engaging podcasts, from ideation and scripting, to recording and editing, to distribution and promotion.

Why now?: Podcasts are a booming and versatile medium that can cater to various audiences, topics, and formats. There is a demand for professional and creative assistance that can help podcasters stand out and succeed in the crowded and competitive podcast market.

News that triggered an idea: Cinedigm expands Bloody Disgusting Podcast Network With Producer Hire

Region: Global, especially in countries where podcasts are popular and accessible, and where there is a diversity and abundance of podcast content and creators.

Investment costs (min - max): $50,000 - $500,000, depending on the type and number of podcasts, the equipment and software, and the staff and marketing of the service.

Current rivals: Some examples of existing podcast production services are Pacific Content, Podigy, and Podcast.co.

Who can start this type of business (skills required)?: Someone with a passion and talent for podcasts and audio production, as well as skills in storytelling, editing, and business management.

Opportunity #7

Take a look at the cover image. Concealed within is the elusive 7th idea…