15 Business Ideas You Can Get Started With in 2026

Struggling to figure out what business to start in 2026? You’re not alone.

Many aspiring entrepreneurs in the UK face the same dilemma. The market is huge, trends shift fast, and the wrong choice can cost you time, money, and energy. Plus, the longer you wait, the more opportunities you miss.

Check out our top picks of business ideas for 2026, so you can stop guessing and start building a business that actually works.

Key takeaways

• Start with a business that meets growing demand
  Look for sectors where consumer needs are rising, such as eCommerce, wellness, care services, and AI consulting. These markets have not only strong growth potential but also a wide customer base that makes scaling easier.
• Low startup costs and flexibility are powerful advantages
  Businesses like copywriting, virtual assistance, and digital services allow you to start with minimal investment and work from anywhere. This reduces risk and gives you time to test ideas without heavy financial pressure.
• Recurring revenue models create stability
  Care services, cleaning, home services, subscription-based coaching, and vending machines benefit from repeat customers. Prioritising businesses with ongoing demand helps smooth cash flow and long-term sustainability.
• Leverage trends and technology for growth
  Digital marketing, AI consulting, eCommerce, and ride-hailing all benefit from tech adoption and automation. Staying on top of trends helps your business remain competitive and expand faster.
• Turn your idea into reality with the right tools
  Starting a business is easier with the right support. ANNA provides everything from same-day company formation to bookkeeping, invoicing, and tax filing, helping you launch efficiently and focus on growing your idea.

15 business ideas you should think about

Before digging deeper, here are the highlights of the top 15 business ideas for 2026:

1. eCommerce & dropshipping

eCommerce includes selling products online through your own website or marketplace channels, while dropshipping lets you take orders without holding stock.

The UK’s eCommerce market reached around £177 billion in 2024 and remains one of the most advanced in Europe. Online retail now accounts for roughly 30% of total UK retail sales, with digital platforms attracting tens of millions of shoppers.

Why this is a good business idea:

Customers love convenience and want faster, personalised online shopping experiences.

With artificial intelligence and social commerce tools becoming more widespread, the barriers to entry are lower than ever.

You can start with a small budget, choose a niche you’re passionate about, and scale up as demand grows.

The combination of low startup costs and a huge potential customer base makes this a strong choice for future entrepreneurs.

2. Property development

Getting into property development means buying, renovating, or building properties to sell or rent at a profit.

Housing prices have continued growing in many UK cities, with areas like Plymouth seeing double‑digit increases in 2025.

Why this is a good business idea:

In 2026, this remains an appealing business, with strong demand for high‑quality and flexible living spaces, such as co‑living units or eco‑renovated homes.

While it does require more capital upfront than some other options on this list, the long‑term returns can be substantial – especially if you understand local markets and focus on underserved segments, like energy‑efficient homes or affordable rentals.

3. Care & supported living services

Care businesses include in‑home support for older adults and people with disabilities, as well as supported living for vulnerable groups.

Due to the UK’s ageing population (around 36 people aged 65+ for every 100 aged 20–64) and ongoing demand for personalised care, this sector is far from saturated.

Alongside traditional home care, there are also opportunities in niche services, including dementia support, respite care, and specialist nursing.

Why this is a good business idea:

This type of business is promising because it combines growing demand with social impact.

Regulations are strict, as they should be, but once you’re registered and compliant, many care providers find stable income through contracts and recurring customers.

With proper training and staff, a care business can become a vital community resource with strong long‑term potential.

4. Fitness, wellness & coaching

The fitness and wellness space continues to be one of the most reliable and opportunity-rich sectors in the UK.

This business can include:

• Personal training
• Boutique fitness studios
• Online coaching
• Yoga
• Pilates classes
• Massage therapy
• Holistic wellbeing services such as stress management and lifestyle coaching

What makes it especially attractive for 2026 is that demand isn’t slowing; it’s growing.

According to a UK Health & Fitness Market Report, the sector generated £5.7 billion in revenue in 2024, an 8.8% year-on-year increase, with 11.5 million gym members nationwide.

It means that around one in six UK adults actively pays for fitness services. That level of participation shows wellness is no longer a luxury but a part of everyday life.

Why this is a good business idea:

It blends personal passion with real demand. You can start locally or completely online, offering coaching plans, classes, or hybrid memberships.

If you specialise in yoga for beginners, weight loss coaching, stress management, or other niche categories, you can add value that people will be happy to pay for regularly.

Additionally, low startup costs make this a standout idea for 2026.

5. Pet Services

Dog walking, grooming, pet sitting, and boarding all fall under this category, and demand remains consistently high.

Over 60% of UK households own a pet, with dogs being the most popular choice. This translates to millions of owners who need reliable care when they’re working, travelling, or simply stretched for time.

Why this is a good business idea:

If you’re an animal lover looking for a business that’s local, resilient, and genuinely enjoyable to run, pet services tick all the boxes. Many start with just a few clients and expand via word‑of‑mouth or local advertising.

Over time, you can also build complementary services, such as branded dog-care products or premium grooming.

6. Cleaning & home services

Cleaning and home services, from regular house cleaning to specialised jobs like carpet or gutter cleaning, are always needed.

The UK home services market is projected to keep growing, with cleaning services alone representing the largest segment, at around 35 % of market share.

Why this is a good business idea:

Recurring revenue is built into this industry as clients often book weekly or monthly services. You can start small with basic equipment and scale by hiring teams.

There’s also rising demand for eco‑friendly and technology‑enabled services, so adding a modern twist can help you stand out.

7. Food & catering services

If you love food and hospitality, starting a food business can be both fun and profitable.

Whether you’re baking speciality cakes, running a small café, operating a food truck, or organising catering events, the UK food scene loves local flavour and quality experiences.

The UK foodservice market is already well-developed, valued at around $104.8 billion (€89.1 billion) in 2025, and it’s expected to grow to about $144.5 billion (€122.8 billion) by 2030.

What’s driving that growth is how people spend: even when budgets are tighter, many still make room for affordable treats and enjoyable out-of-home food experiences.

Why this is a good business idea:

Diversity and convenience drive consumer choice. For example:

• A home bakery can start with minimal capital and grow via farmers’ markets or online delivery.
• A food truck can test locations and menus before expanding.
• Catering can serve corporate events, weddings, and private parties, offering predictable bookings and income.

With creative branding and local partnerships, food and catering businesses can thrive even in competitive markets.

8. Digital creative services

Digital creative services are booming as companies increasingly outsource creative work.

Whether you offer graphic design, photography, video editing, or web design, small businesses and startups alike need help building their online presence.

The UK’s digital and creative industries are significant contributors to the economy, accounting for over 20 % of registered businesses in creative sectors.

Why this is a good idea:

The barriers to entry are low; all you need to start are your skills, a laptop, and a portfolio. Digital creative services are flexible, can be home‑based, and easily scaled by hiring other creatives as you grow.

9. Copywriting business

A copywriting business centres on writing persuasive, strategic content that helps businesses sell, convert, and communicate more clearly.

This includes website copy, landing pages, emails, ads, product descriptions, and brand messaging.

Freelancing is also well established in the UK, with millions of people working as self-employed professionals, making outsourced writing services a familiar and trusted model.

Why this is a good business idea:

Low startup cost and high margins mean that you can start with little more than a laptop and niche expertise.

10. Tutoring & education services

Tutoring and education services, from academic support to language lessons or skills training, have a strong foothold in the UK market.

With families prioritising educational outcomes and adults seeking lifelong learning opportunities, demand is broad and growing.

You can also reach clients beyond your local area through various online platforms and hybrid models.

Why this is a good business idea:

Education remains a priority, especially in STEM subjects, language learning, and exam preparation.

You can start solo and scale by recruiting other tutors or building an online academy platform.

11. Vending machine business

The vending machine business is often overlooked, but it’s quietly booming thanks to changing consumer habits and smarter technology.

In fact, the UK retail vending machine market generated around $1.3 billion (€1.10 billion) in revenue in 2024 and is projected to grow to $1.9 billion (€1.62 billion) by 2033, showing steady long-term demand.

The business involves placing machines in high-footfall locations, such as offices, gyms, schools, hospitals, and residential buildings.

There’s particular interest in cashless, healthy, and premium snack options, as workplaces and public spaces increasingly look for convenient, self-service solutions without running full cafeterias.

Why this is a good business idea:

For entrepreneurs, vending offers semi-passive income. Once machines are placed and stocked, they generate ongoing revenue.

Startup costs vary depending on machine type, but with the right locations and product selection, margins can be strong.

If you focus on healthier snacks, hot drinks, or niche offerings, you can position your vending business for sustainable growth and scalability.

12. Trades & skilled services

Skilled trades such as plumbing, electrical work, heating, air conditioning, and general construction are in short supply across the UK, and that gap isn’t closing anytime soon.

This makes trades one of the most reliable business opportunities going into 2026.

Why this is a good business idea:

These businesses benefit from constant demand, strong local search visibility, and the ability to charge premium rates for urgent or specialist work.

While training and certification are required, the long-term payoff is significant. You can initially start solo and grow into a full-service company with teams and contracts.

13. Private hire drivers / Ride-hailing services

Becoming a private hire driver, whether for Uber, Bolt, or other local ride-hailing services, is a flexible and increasingly popular business model in the UK. The business involves transporting passengers on demand, often using your own vehicle or a rented one, and can be a full-time income source or a side hustle.

According to April 2024 stats, England had 313,000 licensed taxi and private vehicles and over 381,000 driver licences. Of these licences, 69% were for private hire vehicles (PHVs).

Why this is a good business idea:

The appeal is simple: people always need transportation, and urban populations in cities like London, Manchester, and Birmingham continue to grow.

This trend also aligns with commuter and tourist behaviour – app-based, flexible transport is increasingly preferred over owning a car in congested city centres.

Startup costs are moderate, covering vehicle, insurance, and licensing, and the business is highly scalable. You can expand by adding vehicles, hiring more drivers, or focusing on niches like airport transfers or corporate contracts.

14. Virtual assistants

A virtual assistant (VA) business is all about providing remote support services, from admin, calendar, and inbox management to social media, customer support, bookkeeping, and more.

What makes this such a promising business idea for 2026 is both the rising demand from businesses and the growth of freelancing and remote work.

Figures indicate that outsourcing to virtual assistants rather than relying on local in‑house employees can reduce operating expenses by more than half.

Why this is a good business idea:

Starting a VA business means low startup costs, high flexibility, and a vast potential client base, especially among small and medium‑sized businesses that prefer flexible support over hiring full‑time staff.

15. AI & automation consulting for small businesses

If you’re looking for a business idea that’s future‑proof and in growing demand, AI & automation consulting could be a perfect fit.

AI adoption is accelerating quickly in the UK. Around 37% of UK SMEs are already using AI tools, up significantly from previous years. Despite this growth, many companies struggle to implement AI effectively because they lack the skills or strategy in‑house, which is where consultants step in.

You can help small and medium‑sized businesses understand where AI makes sense for them, including:

• Customer service chatbots
• Automated invoicing
• Predictive analytics
• Marketing automation

Why this is a good business idea:

With relatively low startup costs and rising demand, offering practical AI guidance and implementation can be a high‑margin, scalable business as UK firms continue investing in digital transformation.

How to turn your business ideas into reality with ANNA?

ANNA is an all-in-one business account for money, invoicing, expenses, bookkeeping, and taxes.

No matter your business structure, whether you are a solo trader or a limited company, we can support you from day one.

Here’s what we deliver:

🔥 Same-day company formation: We handle the company registration paperwork for you and register your business for Corporation Tax at the same time, so everything is taken care of in one go.

🔥 Effortless way to run your books, file taxes, and stay compliant, for 90% less than hiring a traditional accountant or subscribing to accounting software, thanks to full automation and advanced AI.

🔥 All your tax needs sorted from day one: We prepare and file Corporation Tax, VAT returns, Self Assessment income tax, PAYE, and Year-End Financial Statements.

🔥 A unified place for all your documents and invoices to keep them safe, sorted, and easily accessible.

🔥 Professional invoicing: You can create branded invoices and accept payments via a unique link or QR code.

Extra perks if you register with us:

🎁 Our HMRC–recognised solution helps you prepare and be ready for the upcoming fully digital tax reporting through a system called Making Tax Digital (MTD).

We automatically collect data from your bank accounts, prepare your returns, and file them for you, without any complicated tools you’d have to set up and learn. And the entire service is free for 12 months.

🎁 From 1 February 2026, Companies House will double the company registration fee from £50 to £100, but we’ll keep the £50 fee for the whole year.

Try ANNA today to get your business off the ground faster and smarter.

FAQ:

1. What is the easiest business to start in the UK in 2026?

The easiest businesses to start are typically low-cost, flexible models like virtual assistance, copywriting, or digital services.

They require minimal upfront investment, can be run from home, and allow you to scale as demand grows, making them ideal for first-time entrepreneurs.

2. How much money do I need to start a business in the UK?

Startup costs vary widely depending on the type of business.

For example, you can start a copywriting or virtual assistant business with just a few hundred pounds, while property development or care services require tens of thousands.

3. How do I choose the right business structure?

Choosing the right structure depends on your goals, risk tolerance, and tax situation. Sole trader setups are simple and cost-effective, while limited companies offer liability protection and more tax planning options.

ANNA can guide you through the registration process, ensuring you select the structure that best fits your business.