Drones are increasingly used for tasks like environmental and weather monitoring, real estate aerial photography and inspecting power lines. This presents a great opportunity for someone with the expertise to operate drones safely and effectively, while meeting all the government rules and requirements.
You’ll need to become a certified drone operator by getting a
Remote Pilot Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration and passing the initial aeronautical knowledge test for operating unmanned aircraft. Once you fly through the hoops to get your certificate, you’ll have to take online training courses every two years to keep it active. Because drone operators are becoming more common, they’re also becoming more specialized — so it’s a good idea to determine where there’s the biggest demand for drone services and develop a niche.
Startup needs: FAA certification and training; drone equipment; a specialty area of drone operation
More companies, including manufacturers and agricultural firms, are deploying robots to automate tasks and drive efficiency. But starting up in this field requires significant technical and engineering expertise. Make sure you have the necessary background to succeed in the field and a good plan for how you’ll specialize and add value to companies that may be interested in deploying robotics at their facilities. Working for an established robotics company is probably a smart first move.
Startup needs: Technical and engineering background in robotics; an industry specialization
With so many smart devices and computers in the world, being an expert on fixing them can make for a winning business. You’ll need to know how to repair all the different types of devices that people use today and have a ready supply of the parts — such as screens, batteries or other equipment — that may need replacement. You’ll probably also need a storefront where people know where to find you.
Startup needs: Device repair expertise; repair tools; a ready supply chain for parts you’ll need
Turning people’s old photos, videos and audio cassettes into digital files they can store on the cloud is an in-demand service. However, you’ll need a smart business plan to compete against all the other companies in the digital archiving industry. Some of these businesses have storefronts, while others collect customers’ photos and cassettes by mail and then ship them back. A marketing plan is key, along with the technical know-how and equipment to do the work. You’ll want business liability coverage in case anything gets damaged in the process of archiving.
Startup needs: Technical know-how; equipment; marketing plan
As concerns about climate change grow and businesses, governments and consumers increasingly embrace renewable and clean energy sources, there's growing demand for the technology that supports clean energy. Your business could be dedicated to batteries that store renewable energy, for example, or renewable power generation products. You'll need a background in clean energy production and storage along with industry connections and a smart business plan to find success from this type of business.
Startup needs: Experience in the cleantech industry; a business plan
While AI itself is helping companies automate their modernization efforts, they still need experts that can oversee that AI and tackle challenges, such as debugging and legacy code modernization. And because so many companies are trying to prepare their internal systems for broad AI adoption, it’s an in-demand service. To build a business around it, you’ll need to have significant expertise in coding for AI, as well as tools to help you do it effectively and efficiently.
Startup needs: Coding and AI expertise; marketing plan
Many companies struggle to navigate all the ways to leverage different types of technology, including AI, robotics and “internet of things” solutions. They need help figuring out how to set up the right data architecture and infrastructure between the cloud, on-premises or at the edge. Someone with expertise in enterprise IT deployment, infrastructure and tools can guide them on these decisions. To be successful, you need wide-ranging expertise in all sorts of enterprise IT areas, and you'll have to stay up-to-date on the technologies and opportunities available.
Startup needs: Enterprise IT expertise and experience; staying up-to-date on technological advances
While these 12 opportunities are timely, the most successful tech startups tend to be the ones on the cusp of innovation — creating a new product or service or building a new business model. In the world of technology, it can pay to think outside the box.
As generative artificial intelligence shakes up the business world, companies are trying to figure out how to use it to generate business value — whether that’s making their operations more efficient or finding new, AI-driven ways to serve customers and generate revenue.
