Starting a business can be risky, you can invest all your savings and time into a business idea with no idea if it will make money and become successful.
Why not start one of these unique business ideas that already have a track record but haven’t been introduced widely to the South African market?
You’ll still need to ensure there’s a market for these creative business ideas in South Africa, but you can at least start out knowing that the concept itself can be successful. This could be your chance to invest on the ground floor of the next Uber, Starbucks or Krispy Kreme.
Here are 21 unique business ideas that have proven success rates in their markets:
1. Travel planner
Although the need and popularity of travel agents are diminishing, people all over the world are still looking for guidance and specialised travel knowledge.
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As your creative business idea, you could make money by offering your home-grown expertise on the hidden gems and incredible experiences throughout South Africa and the world.
Why you should consider this creative business idea:
Do you love to travel both locally and internationally? You could offer interesting and one-of-a-kind experiences for foreigners and locals looking to have a uniquely South African experience.
You could design personalised trips with local activities, beautiful accommodation, and an assortment of delicious restaurants for each of your clients.
Why this creative idea should be brought to SA:
Tourism continues to be a large source of income for SA. The cost of travelling is reducing the amount of people travel to the country and within the country.
South Africa can offer world class holidays at a cheaper price, and if you can find further deals or packages, you’re likely to attract a lot of both international and local attention.
2. Virtual reality and augmented reality
Virtual reality computing (VR) and Augmented reality computing (AR) have made giant strides in the last few years. They now offer an immersing, realistic sensory experience.
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The current players in the industry are working tirelessly to bring new products to the marketplace. By next year, the worldwide market size will be larger than USD40 billion, according to Statista.
Why you should consider this creative business idea:
VR and AR have endless potential uses, which ensures you’ll always have another market to break into or combine with. For example, you can offer the following VR and AR experiences:
- Real estate marketing: Offering clients the ability of walk through a new property
- Training: Inject realism into training scenarios
- Gaming: VR and AR are revolutionising the gaming industry, with new titles releasing almost every week.
- Escape rooms: You can offer the adventure of working together to solve group puzzles.
You can decide whether to invest in the hardware itself or to develop new and interesting software for consumers to purchase.
You can even start a creative business that sells accessories or support products if you aren’t interested in investing in the hardware or software.
Why this creative idea should be brought to SA:
International companies are starting to bring this technology into the South African market, but at global prices. If you could offer the next leap in technological development at affordable prices for South Africans, you would have a monopoly on the market.
With the right pair of googles and hardware South Africans can immerse themselves in a variety of fascinating worlds. The opportunities are limitless.
3. Every day health and fitness
The health and fitness industry continues to grow by at least 3-4% annually with no signs of slowing down soon. Although there is a lot of competition in this market already, there are ways to tap into it without offering exercise classes or diet programmes.
Why you should consider this creative business idea:
Individuals are looking for everyday items that can transform their lives for the better, for example, the standing desk. Sitting in an office all day has been proven to be bad for our health, which is why the standing desk was created.
This invention allows people to still complete their work while simultaneously improving their health.
If you could bring something similar into the South African market, you could make your new business a success.
Why this creative idea should be brought to SA:
South Africans, like the rest of the world, are also looking for ways to improve their health. However, also like the rest of the world, many of them spend a significant portion of their day sitting in an office.
Considering the success of the standing desk, an invention that South Africans could use on a daily basis to improve their health would receive similar success.
4. Pet adoption app
BarkBuddy is a pet adoption app that allows vetted clients to peruse their collection of animals available for adoption. This enables interested individuals to find pets to adopt quickly and conveniently.
Why you should consider this creative business idea:
There is a growing trend around the world of adopting pets. You could develop your own, or partner with the current app to offer this service in South Africa.
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You could even partner with the SPCA to ensure all their animals are also featured on the app. This concept will make it easier for customers to find the pets they’re looking for.
Why this creative idea should be brought to SA:
At present it’s quite challenging for potential owners to find new pets considering there are very few online options and most places require physical visits.
With the amount of pet adoption businesses that currently exist in South Africa, there is clearly a market for this app.
The app will support the current market and improve the adoption rate of animals across the country, making it highly desirable for this market and for those supporting animal adoption.
5. EdTech
There is a continued rise of technology used within classrooms across the world. EdTech includes blackboard-style student portals, educational games, online discussion platforms and online resources.
Why you should consider this creative business idea:
Although you may think that every type of EdTech has already been invented and released into the global market, but a lot of it is glitch or impractical, according to Entrepreneur.
There are very few online resources that covers everything a teacher or student needs, which leaved an opening for you.
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If you have knowledge of the South Africa education industry, you could partner with a developer to create a user-friendly practical EdTech product that you could release to the South African market.
Why this creative idea should be brought to SA:
The current EdTech on the global market has priced itself out of the South African market, which means if you develop something that’s affordable you could make significant headway in the local market.
By 2040, PwC estimates that African will have the world’s largest labour force, couple this with the increased demand for education and skills, the growth of the virtual education space is a predicted future business opportunity in Africa.
6. Axe Throwing Party Business
Are you interesting in start a creative business idea that will ensure your customers have a good time and relieve some stress and tensions? Then this is the innovative business idea for you.
Axe throwing parties are exactly what they sound like, you offer customers a place to throw axes and enjoy themselves.
Why you should consider this creative business idea:
Everyone is always looking for the next entertainment business idea that will interest the local market. Axe throwing parties are steadily growing in popularity around the world.
This creative business has a large potential for growth and profit, you could create franchises or open multiple locations across the country.
Why this creative idea should be brought to SA:
South Africans, like the rest of the world, also have frustrations and stress, you could offer them the opportunity to relieve some of this, while have a good time with friends.
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If you consider the success of other novelty entertainment business idea such as escape rooms and trampoline halls, this innovative business idea could be just as profitable.
7. Game Truck Business
If you’re looking to start your own gaming venue, but don’t want to pay overheads and would prefer to be on the move, why not consider a game truck creative business idea?
Why you should consider this creative business idea:
Gaming is a large and profitable industry, which means the growth potential for your potential business is typically strong.
By offering a mobile option you can avoid high overheads and search for the right markets, even changing location throughout the day to meet the demand of different areas. You can also offer your mobile gaming truck as a party attraction and book regular events to ensure you’re always making money.
Why this creative idea should be brought to SA:
The South African gaming industry is a thriving and growing market, which ensures you’ll have a growing customer base and demand for your business.
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South Africans are also looking to offer interesting activities at their functions, which could include a mobile game truck.
8. Nanotechnology
With the rise of technology, a growing business opportunity is nanotechnology. Nanotech will open the door to thousands of new products and services, which you could profit from.
Nanotechnology has the potential to increase the efficiency of energy consumption, help clean the environment, and solve major health challenges.
Why you should consider this creative business idea:
You can implement nanotechnology within a variety of industries, this either allows you to diversify into multiple sectors or launch a niche business focusing on a single element in one sector. You can offer options such as:
- Nanomedic, which uses nanotechnology to repair cells and enables subatomic medical treatments.
- Nanosatellites, which is the use of nanotechnology to create cost-effective satellites.
If you have the skill or know someone with the knowledge you can launch this business locally and sell your inventions both locally and internationally.
Why this creative idea should be brought to SA:
South Africa has the technological capabilities to develop and grow nanotechnology. Additionally, it offers useful equipment with business applications for local and international companies.
The growing trend in this industry is smaller more condensed teams achieving breakthroughs and driving the industry forward. This means that even if you have a small, but brilliant team, you’ll still make an impact in this sector.
9. Task Rabbit
If you’re looking for a community marketplace for errands and smaller tasks, you should launch Task Rabbit.
This platform allows users to post tasks and indicate how much they’re willing to pay someone to complete it. Then another will user will accept the task and gets paid for completing it.
Why you should consider this creative business idea:
This platform continues to gain traction across the United States as users look to take control of their own salary and support themselves.
Not only does this app create employment it also offers supplemental income for those looking to make more money.
Why this creative idea should be brought to SA:
The app would enable unemployed individuals to earn an income by doing several small tasks every day.
Considering the amount of busy professionals, there would be plenty of demand for someone to fulfil menial tasks and reduce time spent running errands for professionals.
10. Off-grid solar
The race is on to spread solar power across Africa. This is becoming a multi-billion-dollar industry that is attracting entrepreneurs and investors from across the world.
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The aspect that is driving the demand for solar energy is the off-grid electrical solution.
Why you should consider this creative business idea:
South Africa is still considered the gateway into Africa, which ensures you a trading route into the rest of the continent to sell off-grid solar devices.
There is a continuous demand for electricity across the entire African continent, which will ensure you continue to grow your market and client base.
Why this creative idea should be brought to SA:
Although most areas within South Africa have access to electricity, the supply can be unreliable and expensive. Investing in off-grid social power can offer meet the electrical needs of the people without needing extensive infrastructure.
600 million Africans are tired of waiting for traditional electricity, you could be offering them a cost-effective alternative.
11. Green Living
The importance of going green and being environmentally friendly continues to grow in importance around the world. Many people and businesses, however, are still unsure how they can reduce their impact on the environment, this is where you come in.
You can either offer green living consultant to offer advice on how to go green or sell environmentally friendly products, or potentially both.
Why you should consider this creative business idea:
The demand for greener businesses and products continues to grow across the world. This market is still in its infancy in South Africa, even though there is substantial demand.
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You can offer this to businesses and individuals alike through green living consultants and environmentally friendly products.
Why this creative idea should be brought to SA:
South Africans are also looking for ways to reduce their impact on the environment and reduce their expenses. If you can offer them both, you could have a highly profitable, sustainable business.
12. Vertical Farming
Vertical farming is a single-story high-tech greenhouse that saves significant amounts of water and increases productivity. This concept was created to help those living in cities to grow their own food in the space available to them.
You can offer others the infrastructure and instruction on how to make this work.
Why you should consider this creative business idea:
With the continuous increase in population, farms need to become more efficient and productive. Farmers need to maximise the amount of yield from a smaller area. Vertical farming could be the solution to this challenge.
Instead of needing large amounts of space, farmers can grow their crops upwards, stacking plants on top of each other getting the most out of their space. You can offer this technology to farmers and individuals across the continent
Why this creative idea should be brought to SA:
Cities around the world are investing in vertical farming to utilise unused space. Considering the growing demand for produce, this could be a profitable business within South Africa.
It also ensures people with large and small properties can produce their own food, or even create enough to sell, improving entrepreneurship and reducing unemployment.
13. Solar Water System
Water is essential to life but using water pumps can create significant electrical costs for people. To reduce costs and infrastructure, you can start a business that assists people to install water pumps that run on solar power.
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This will reduce their reliance on both the water and electrical grid, and even if the electrical grid goes down, they will still have access to water.
Why you should consider this creative business idea:
The delivery of clean water to both households and commercial locations can be lucrative. Especially if you consider the demand for a water source that doesn’t rely on the electrical or water grid.
Trading in water is predicted to be highly profitable in the years to come as clean water becomes difficult to source and afford.
Why this creative idea should be brought to SA:
During loadshedding the reservoirs were under electrical strain and the water supply to the city and industries could have dried up.
The demand for an alternative water source that is independent of the electrical grid is in high demand and will become a profitable business opportunity in South Africa in the next few years.
21. Robotics
Technology continues to play a larger role in business, which will increase the amount of robotic applications. If you consider that robotic technology becomes increasingly impressive year-on-year, as well as becoming more cost-effective.
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Why you should consider this creative business idea:
A large amount of the basic software infrastructure is now available for free or low costs, and hardware, such as basic components and libraries of code are open-source and free for professionals to use.
“It’s very important you have a lot of blocks to easily combine, and you don’t spend too much time to build any of them from scratch,” says Dmitry Grishin, co-founder of mail.ru and head of Grishin Robotics.
Why this creative idea should be brought to SA:
Robots have endless applications across the world. You can develop robots for cleaning, construction, entertainment and even warfare.
If you don’t want to enter into robotics directly, support industries will also be in high demand, such as repair services, diagnostics and maintenance.
15. Upcycling Services
The growing demand for environmentally friendly products leaves a space for someone to start upcycling. This business opportunity can apply to clothing, furniture, and even artworks.
Why you should consider this creative business idea:
If you have an interest in crafts and have a creative flair, you could sell upcycled items either in a brick and mortar store or online.
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You can offer to convert unwanted items into beautiful new upcycled projects. For example, refreshing outdated clothing or furniture.
Why this creative idea should be brought to SA:
Purchasing brand new clothing or furniture can be out of reach for many South Africans. Being able to buy refreshed and rejuvenated items at a lower cost can ensure a that someone is meeting the demand.
16. Niche drone services
Drones have become almost common place in South Africa where the industry continues to boom in both private and commercial use.
Drone technology has continued to advance and the way individuals use them has continued to evolve.
Why you should consider this creative business idea:
Auto-follow drones are growing in popularity as the technology become available to manage drones hands-free.
There is also a rise in underwater drone technology, which help professions locate fish and chart underwater landscapes.
To fulfil this growing demand you can either offer to sell these niche drones or rent them out to professions.
Why this creative idea should be brought to SA:
South Africans have incorporated drones into their businesses and private lives, offering drones with more capabilities will just increase their popularity.
For underwater drone technology you can approach businesses on the coast or who deal with fish and/or underwater landscapes. For auto-follow drones the applications are endless, from marketing to private videos.
17. “Dude Wipes”
There is a growing trend overseas that is catering to the niche market of men’s hygiene. Larger manufacturers are focusing on wipes in the overall hygiene category.
Smaller vendors have also seen this growing trend and have started catering to this niche market.
Why you should consider this creative business idea:
“Dude wipes” are aimed at men across the board, whether they enjoy camping and outdoor activities or live in a busy urban environment that requires a lot of commuting.
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Since these products would be consumed regularly, they fall into the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) group, which means you’ll have customers for life, if you can make them happy with your brand.
Why this creative idea should be brought to SA:
South Africa is known for having relatively hot and sunny weather, which means individuals will get hot and need to maintain constant hygiene.
Being able to remain clean and refreshed while on the move will appeal to many men across the country.
This innovative business idea has the potential to satisfy a demand across the African continent as well.
18. Meat Grower
Do you want to grow meat in a lab? This creative business idea exists but hasn’t yet been perfected anywhere in the world. You could launch this business to appeal the growing demand for animal-free meat.
Why you should consider this creative business idea:
There is a growing demand for vegan and vegetarian food, across the world. If you have the skills and experience you can start growing your own meat.
Experts are using stem cells, which are placed on scaffolding and soaked in nutrients to grow. If this sounds like something you could invent and market, then this could be the innovative business idea for you.
Why this creative idea should be brought to SA:
Not only is the vegan/vegetarian market growing throughout South Africa, but anything developed here would be significantly cheaper than anything developed overseas, putting you at an advantage over the global market.
19. Active Holidays
The booming fitness industry has created another growing and profitable industry, active holidays. Instead of vacationing in warm climate where families and friends relax, while sampling the local cuisine, active holidays include travel, relaxation, fitness and healthy living.
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Why you should consider this creative business idea:
The growing popularity of healthy lifestyles and the increase in variety of fitness options will ensure there is a growing demand for this service.
Offering an active holiday will appeal to those who want to stay on track with their fitness and health goals, while also relaxing in a tropical or adventurous environment.
Why this creative idea should be brought to SA:
Not only could you offer packages for South Africans traveling abroad, you could also offer active holiday packages for those looking to experience South African and its natural beauty.
If you don’t have the right experience for this innovative business idea you can always base your start-up around providing gear, accessories and gadgets to active holiday providers and/or customers wanting to participate in active holidays.
20. Night Nanny
Another business that is doing well overseas but hasn’t quite taken off in South Africa is a night nanny. This is a nanny that specialises in newborn babies and stays overnight to help new parents or parents with multiple small children.
Why you should consider this creative business idea:
The innovative business idea has grown in popularity for those two income households who can’t afford 2am interruptions or feedings. If you have children of your own, or have extensive experience caring for newborns you could offer this service.
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You will need to be able to offer new parents’ advice on how to look after their baby/babies.
Why this creative idea should be brought to SA:
South African’s typically do have two income households and for those that can’t afford to take extensive maternity leave, if they can take it at all, they could use this service to ensure they aren’t sleep deprived during office hours.
21. E-bikes
Electrical bicycles continue to gain popularity internationally as people attempt to reduce their reliance on cars and their impact on the environment.
Why you should consider this creative business idea:
“In 2012, when I met my co-founder, there were 200 million e-bikes on the roads in China – with more being sold than cars.
We found this out and were taken aback, it was an emerging technology trend in the US but not one that was being talked about – there was a gap in the market,” says co-founder of Riide, Amber Wason.
Why this creative idea should be brought to SA:
In South Africa, many individuals are looking for reliable, cost-effective travel alternative. Considering how relatively hilly South Africa is, an e-bike would be a better option compared to the traditional bicycle.
In addition to selling e-bikes, you can also sell kits to motorise traditional bicycles.
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