Business ideas in India

[mn_op]

Just copying the thread from old forum. BusinessIdeas

I am looking to compile a list of possible business that can be done with 30 Lakhs investment (and additional 70 Lakhs loan from the bank). The business should meet following criteria:
1. Shouldn't be dependent on a few large clients
2. Should have some scalability
3. Owner should be able to take a day or two off every week and possibly go home everyday at 6:00 PM.
4. Can be manufacturing or service industry
5. Banks should find it convincing enough to finance
6. Can be done with small number of assistants/labor
7. Break even should be within 3 years
8. Can be done honestly (relatively) so we NRIs can do it without having to develop lots of contacts first.
9. Have some scope for creativity (not sure what that means myself!)

Finding a business that meets all of the above criteria is very difficult and of course we cannot predict the outcome but I would like to hear from you folks. I know most of us have thought about being our bosses at one point of time in our lives but not being able to find a bright idea held us back.
Please put forth your ideas, even if you don't think they are bright you never know who will make gold out of it.
Please state your rationale behind the idea as well.

Thanks!

[prawin75]

Anything to do with Solar energy will be a gr8 business,with a lot of oppurtunity and scalability.

[VRG]

prawin75,

That sounds a good one.

I don't know how much is it happening in India.

Are Indian customers receptive to Solar energy?
How much is the setup and monthly costs for a consumer?

I know there's plenty of sunshine..:-) So defnitely can make use of it.

Wind energy business seems to be doing well.

Thanks.

[googv]

Education (both on site and online). Unlimited potential for creativity and expansion.

[DosaiLvr]

It would be good if the posters mentioned the following along w/ the ideas.
[LIST=1]

the capital required,

operating expense,

break even point,

potential sales,

time to recover initial investment,

scale of operation,

scope for growth,

who the competition are,

can the business change directions if the original idea did not work,

etc, etc.[/LIST]It would be a fun exercise to break apart any business idea and see if would work or not, but just throwing ideas w/o picking it apart does not serve any purpose.

Most of the R2IClub members could not/would not invest in a helicoptor charter service in India, even if it is a good idea today or the near future... It may not be the greatest idea to put forth for discussion, other than to claim that I had thought of it in such and such year?

However, let me add that any idea, however improbable, is better than no idea. So keep em' coming.
_________________________________________

Prawin75, could you elaborate on harnessing solar energy?

Solar heaters - It is currently being used extensively in India for heating bath water.

Solar cookers - Though GoI and some others made a lot of noise about Solar cookers, it appears to have lost steam and the idea is really not cooking (pun !).

Solar lighting - I've also seen Solar powered lights in B'lore... I think BEL, a PSU, is manufacturing them.

I won't bother mentioning Solar cars as a business idea.

[mn_op]

Anything to do with Solar energy will be a gr8 business,with a lot of oppurtunity and scalability.[/quote]

I sent a mail to nanosolar.com folks inquiring about franchise...no reply so far. They have a product with thinner solar cells and you can 'spread' the sheet of solar cells on your roof. Don't know if there is any particular advantage in having thinner cells but like most Indians, I beleive that solar power is the way to go.

[mn_op]

It would be good if the posters mentioned the following along w/ the ideas.

Most of the R2IClub members could not/would not invest in a helicoptor charter service in India, even if it is a good idea today or the near future... It may not be the greatest idea to put forth for discussion, other than to claim that I had thought of it in such and such year?

[/quote]

DL, I have been investigating hot air ballon rides for long time and have come to the conclusion that one needs to partner with some politician (or his son) to get the idea flying. Though its a financially viable idea (IMO) our country is full of restrictions when it comes to anything that flies...

Used hot air balloons are available at very good rates in the US and maintenance is not such a big deal. One does need a license to pilot them but shouldn't be impossible to get some folks trained. Hot climate does restrict operating hours.

The biggest challenge, however, is the fear of doing some unusual business.

There are quite a few gliding groups in India and tying up with tme might help but will have to explore that option.

[neesha]

Are there any restrictions to use these in apartments ?

[DosaiLvr]

#7, mn_op,

If I were to pursue this, these are some things I would see as being conducive for the projects health:
[LIST=1]

People visiting a particular place for fun activites

Transitory crowds

Youngsters - teenage/pre-teens crowd to ride

Parents to spend the money and to ride

A nice scenic countryside to enjoy the view/ride

Close to the city w/ easy access

Other activities to feed off of and draw the crowds[/LIST]Goa comes to mind my mind w/ its beaches, partying crowds and vacationers. I'm sure there are other places in the North and Chennai where this could be success.

If I were to open start one near B'lore, it would probably have to be in partnership w/ anyone of the Amusement parks. IMO, the novelty of a stand alone hot air balloon ride will quickly wear off.

[DosaiLvr]

Thanks to mn_op for starting this thread, the purpose of which is to propose and examine business ideas.

Small Business - Inspirations & how to manage/operate/grow is another thread related to business, which focuses on how to manage, operate and grow a business - any business.

I have added an interesting poll to that thread and would appreciate your mouse click on the poll.

TIA