28 Business Ideas For Engineers [2024]
Interested in starting a business as an engineer in 2024?
If managed well, building a business as an engineer could be more lucrative than employment. So, which are the best business ideas for engineers?
We put together 28 of some of the best engineer business ideas you can start in today.
For each business idea, we'll show you real-world examples of other engineer businesses to help you see what it takes.
Here's the full list:
1. Start a no code platform ($308K/month)
As an engineer, you're no stranger to problem-solving and innovation, skills that are incredibly valuable in the entrepreneurial world. By leveraging no-code platforms, you could easily build and deploy software applications without needing to dive deep into programming. This allows you to translate your technical insights and industry experience into practical digital solutions quickly and affordably.
You could start by addressing common challenges within your field, using graphical interfaces to create custom tools—whether it's a workflow automation tool, a specialized data analysis platform, or even a mobile app for fieldwork. The ease of use in no-code platforms democratizes the app development process, allowing you to rapidly prototype and launch products with minimal overhead.
In today's ever-growing demand for digital and tech solutions, a no-code platform can serve as a springboard for entrepreneurial ventures. By embracing this approach, you enable yourself to turn innovative ideas into marketable products, supplementing your income or even laying the foundation for a new business.
How much you can make: $3,000 — $3,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $749 (?)
How long does it take to build: 85 days (?)
Codemap.io is a freelance & agency marketplace for no-code, low-code, and automation, enabling anyone to hire no-code experts to build their products, MVPs, and apps up to 10x cheaper and faster than with traditional development, with 900+ clients, close to $2,000,000 in created projects, and 110+ hires made, all achieved in less than 6 months.
2. Create a shopify app ($52.4K/month)
As an engineer, you could leverage your technical skills and problem-solving abilities to develop a Shopify app, tapping into the booming ecommerce market. By enhancing the functionality of Shopify stores with solutions like customer engagement tools or inventory management systems, you can address common challenges faced by store owners.
Building a Shopify app requires expertise in coding and UX design, and while it demands ongoing development and support, the potential for recurring revenue through subscriptions or one-time fees can be significant. The Shopify App Store offers a built-in market, making it easier to reach your target audience without extensive marketing efforts.
If you have a knack for tech and an understanding of ecommerce needs, this could be a lucrative side business or even grow into a full-fledged venture, providing valuable tools for thousands of ecommerce businesses.
How much you can make: $10,000 — $110,000/month
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
SuperLemon, a WhatsApp plugin for Shopify eCommerce stores, crossed $29,000 in MRR as of July 2020, with 20,000 users from 50+ countries and 1700+ paying customers, all acquired through organic marketing strategies and a relentless focus on customer service and satisfaction.
3. Create an online course ($83.3K/month)
As an engineer, you could leverage your specialized knowledge to create an online course that targets educational gaps within your field. This business idea allows you to utilize your expertise to help students or professionals by providing video lessons and supplementary materials on complex engineering topics.
Offering flexible learning structures, whether self-paced or cohort-based, you could attract a varied student base, creating a steady passive income stream. For those who enjoy mentoring and information-sharing, online course creation is a lucrative option with low startup costs, making it an appealing side business or even a full-time endeavor.
An online course business is particularly beneficial for entrepreneurial-minded engineers, as it not only supplements your income but also helps to establish you as an authority in emerging subjects that eager lifelong learners seek to master.
How much you can make: $275 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 88 days (?)
Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.
4. Start a niche investment platform ($167K/month)
As an engineer, you could leverage your technical skills and analytical mindset to create a niche investment platform that caters to specialized asset classes such as cryptocurrencies, real estate, or collectibles. By developing a transparent and secure trading ecosystem, you could attract a base of passionate investors looking for alternative investment opportunities.
Your engineering background would allow you to design a platform with robust and flexible portfolio options, enhancing user experience and earning their trust. This can lead to generating recurring revenue streams through transaction fees and premium subscriptions. By offering asset diversification options, you could appeal to brokers and traders interested in less conventional markets, providing them with a unique solution amid volatile stock markets.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $600,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Equity Residences is a luxury real estate investment fund that has raised $40 million from over 200 investors, offering them access to a portfolio of luxury vacation homes for investment and personal use, with a minimum investment of $161,500 and plans to acquire a further twenty residences ranging from $1.5M to $4M.
5. Start an email automation platform ($348K/month)
As an engineer, you could leverage your technical expertise to build an email automation platform that streamlines the process of sending personalized emails to various audiences. This venture would involve developing software capable of segmenting audiences, personalizing content, and scheduling emails, providing businesses with an efficient tool to enhance their digital marketing efforts.
The real challenge and opportunity lie in collaborating with developers, marketers, and customer service teams to understand clients' unique needs and continuously optimize the software for better performance. With the increasing reliance on digital marketing, there's a growing demand for sophisticated email solutions. If you are tech-savvy and driven to develop impactful solutions, creating an email automation platform could be a lucrative side business or a full-time entrepreneurial path.
How much you can make: $21 — $4,160,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Two entrepreneurs developed Coldinbox, a bulk LinkedIn messaging tool that assists B2B business development managers in converting high-value prospects into leads and customers, resulting in $35,000 in monthly profits.
6. Start a sales automation platform ($160K/month)
If you're an engineer looking to supplement your income or even establish an entirely new business, consider starting a sales automation platform. Developing this kind of software solution can streamline and automate various sales processes, from lead generation to follow-ups, which is immensely valuable for businesses aiming to enhance efficiency. By tackling the constant grind of sales tasks, your platform could free up critical time for companies, allowing them to focus more on closing deals rather than managing administrative tasks.
This venture would require a solid understanding of both software development and sales strategies, making it a perfect fit for engineers with an entrepreneurial mindset. Given the current demand for digital transformation and efficiency in the business world, investing your skills in a sales automation platform represents a timely and lucrative opportunity.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $1,666,667/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 105 days (?)
GreenRope, a self-funded CRM and marketing automation platform with over 1,000 customers in 20 countries, was built organically and focused on creating a positive, customer-centric culture without outside investment, with an all-in-one interface solving challenges in managing sales, marketing, customer service, and operations.
7. Start a digital marketing consulting ($49.2K/month)
As an engineer, your analytical mindset and problem-solving skills could set you apart in the field of digital marketing consulting. You could leverage your knack for navigating the digital landscape to help businesses enhance their online presence through targeted strategies and campaigns.
By crafting personalized marketing plans, managing social media accounts, optimizing search engine results, and analyzing data, you could significantly boost client visibility. The potential for growth in this field is significant as more companies shift their focus online, creating a continuous demand for experts who can navigate its complexities.
If you enjoy a blend of creativity and analytics, starting a digital marketing consulting business could be a highly rewarding venture. It's a chance to diversify your skill set while supplementing your income or even transitioning into a lucrative new field.
How much you can make: $1,500 — $250,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
From a honeymoon in Costa Rica to a successful global digital marketing agency generating $100k a month, Travis Richardson shares his journey of building Impressions Agency without taking any loans or money from friends by keeping costs low, adapting quickly, testing out new strategies that produce results, and focusing on building long-term customer relationships.
8. Start an email marketing tool ($992K/month)
As an engineer, you could leverage your technical skills to develop an email marketing tool, a software application that facilitates the creation, management, and automation of email campaigns. This side business could supplement your income by taking advantage of the burgeoning email marketing industry, which is projected to reach $2.53B by 2028. By designing a user-friendly tool that caters to entrepreneurs, startups, and various other industries, you could tap into a broad customer base seeking efficient ways to boost their marketing efforts.
Furthermore, an email marketing tool offers substantial opportunities to generate recurring revenue through subscription models. Engineers with a knack for problem-solving and automation could even innovate unique features, improving user experiences and gaining a competitive edge in the market. In essence, this side venture not only complements your engineering skills but also positions you as a key player in the growing digital marketing arena.
How much you can make: $120 — $20,833,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
H-supertools founder Hasan developed a set of free SEO and digital marketing tools generating $2k per month in profit using Google Adsense, affiliate marketing, selling ad spaces, and email, plans to launch a membership option, and has attained over 80k registered users and 300k monthly visits in less than two years.
9. Start a time tracking app ($223K/month)
As an engineer, you could leverage your analytical and problem-solving skills to develop a highly functional time tracking app. This app would cater to the growing need among managers and enterprises to enhance employee productivity, particularly in an era where remote work has become increasingly prevalent. By providing features that allow users to clock in/out and utilize stopwatches to record task durations, coupled with robust analytics and reporting tools, your app could become an indispensable tool for businesses aiming to optimize their workflow.
Starting a time tracking app involves a structured approach, from defining the project scope to choosing the right software development methodology, and finally, publishing the app. As an engineer, you already possess a solid foundation in project planning and execution, which would be crucial in developing this app efficiently. Whether you aim to supplement your income or transition into a full-scale business, creating a time tracking app offers a practical and lucrative opportunity perfectly aligned with your technical expertise and entrepreneurial aspirations.
How much you can make: $350 — $1,833,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Labor Sync is a mobile application that provides business owners with the ability to track the time and GPS location of their mobile workforce and after just one year of use, they saved $104,000 across 45 employees despite starting off with no funds for advertising or marketing.
10. Start a recruiting agency ($109K/month)
If you're an engineer with an entrepreneurial mindset, starting a recruiting agency could be an excellent way to supplement your income and leverage your industry knowledge. With the global online recruitment market projected to grow from $29 billion in 2019 to $43 billion by 2027, there's a significant opportunity for you to carve out a niche. As an engineer, you have a deep understanding of the technical skills and qualifications required in your field, making you exceptionally well-suited to match top talent with the right employers.
Your firsthand experience in the engineering sector puts you at an advantage when assessing candidates' capabilities and aligning them with the needs of potential employers. You could start small, perhaps as a side business, and build your reputation based on client satisfaction and successful placements. Over time, with real-world experience and positive feedback from clients, your recruiting agency could grow into a thriving enterprise, offering both financial rewards and the fulfillment of connecting skilled engineers with career opportunities.
How much you can make: $100 — $320,000/month
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
DistantJob is a unique recruitment agency that specializes in finding full-time remote employees, and with $3 million in annual revenue, they offer small to medium-sized tech companies an edge over big competitors who are not willing to hire remotely.
11. Start a business podcast ($111K/month)
As an engineer, starting a business podcast could be your golden ticket to carving out a unique niche in the digital age. By sharing industry insights, discussing emerging trends, and interviewing experts, you could create valuable content that resonates with both business enthusiasts and professionals. This venture allows you to leverage your technical expertise and analytical skills, enhancing your credibility and expanding your professional network.
To get started, you would need a clear vision of your podcast's theme, a target audience, and high-quality recording equipment. By crafting compelling episodes and securing industry leaders for interviews, you could establish yourself as a thought leader in your field. Marketing your podcast through social media and leveraging platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts will be crucial for growing your listener base.
A business podcast offers low upfront costs and flexible scheduling, making it an ideal side hustle or even a potential full-time gig. Imagine cultivating a platform where you engage with followers, influence markets, and generate ad revenue, all while fitting seamlessly into your busy life. If you have a passion for business and communication, this venture could be incredibly rewarding.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $349,983/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 135 days (?)
Empire Flippers is a thought leader in brokering online business deals, having brokered over $50 million worth of deals and grown their pool of potential buyers by hundreds every month through a focus on content marketing and middle-of-funnel content.
12. Start a product ratings & reviews ($28.9K/month)
As an engineer, starting a product ratings and reviews business could be a lucrative side business or even a full-fledged entrepreneurial venture. By leveraging your analytical skills and attention to detail, you can create a robust platform that ensures high-quality and reliable user-generated content. This business model involves creating a website or app where customers can share their opinions about different products they have used, helping future consumers make informed decisions.
You could also collaborate with e-commerce stores and manufacturers to feature their products, providing them with valuable customer insights while generating a steady stream of revenue from advertising and affiliate marketing. Given the relatively low initial investment required—mainly setting up a website and marketing—you have the flexibility to scale as your user base grows. This venture not only supplements your income but also keeps you engaged with the latest technological trends and consumer preferences, adding a dynamic aspect to your engineering career.
How much you can make: $40 — $110,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 65 days (?)
Matt Oney quit his full-time job to pursue his side hustle full-time: an affiliate marketing-based content site called ZenmasterWellness that generates around 80k monthly visits and average monthly revenue of about $40,000 by leveraging SEO and affiliate partnerships.
13. Start a video content creation business ($125K/month)
As an engineer, starting a video content creation business could seamlessly supplement your income or even evolve into a profitable side business. Your technical expertise can lend itself well to producing detailed tutorial videos, explanatory content, or promotional materials that require precision and clarity. Engineers are also well-suited to understand the nuances of video editing software and equipment, ensuring high-quality delivery.
Given the growing demand for video content across various platforms, there are ample opportunities to cater to different clients, such as small businesses aiming to enhance their online presence or influencers seeking professional-grade videos. By leveraging your problem-solving skills and attention to detail, you could effectively meet client needs and create engaging, impactful visuals.
With a basic setup—including video equipment, editing software, and a strategic portfolio—you could position yourself as a key player in this flourishing market. This venture aligns perfectly with your creative aspirations and technical capabilities, offering a platform to innovate while generating additional revenue.
How much you can make: $7,000 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 135 days (?)
Silksocial produces rockstar video ads for eCommerce brands, with a turnover of around $30K/month and a focus on differentiation through a deep understanding of e-commerce video ad production techniques that optimize investment returns.
14. Start a no code automation business ($23.5K/month)
If you're an engineer looking to supplement your income or start a side business, a no-code automation business could be a perfect fit. By leveraging various no-code tools, you could help businesses automate repetitive tasks and streamline workflows, all without writing a single line of code. This means you can apply your problem-solving skills and technical mindset to create efficient solutions for clients in various industries, from automating email marketing campaigns to integrating apps and managing customer data.
With companies increasingly focused on optimizing efficiency and reducing operational costs, the demand for no-code automation is on the rise. This opens up opportunities for you to create significant value for clients while utilizing user-friendly platforms. By exploring popular no-code tools and earning certifications, you can establish yourself as a credible expert in this emerging field and potentially transform your skill set into a profitable venture.
How much you can make: $5,000 — $100,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 70 days (?)
Codemap.io is a freelance & agency marketplace for no-code, low-code, and automation, enabling anyone to hire no-code experts to build their products, MVPs, and apps up to 10x cheaper and faster than with traditional development, with 900+ clients, close to $2,000,000 in created projects, and 110+ hires made, all achieved in less than 6 months.
15. Become an IT consultant ($482K/month)
As an engineer, you could leverage your technical skills and analytical mindset to excel as an IT consultant. Your engineering background equips you with a solid foundation in problem-solving, making you adept at evaluating and optimizing a company's IT systems. By understanding and diagnosing IT infrastructure, you could design tailored solutions that align with business objectives, helping organizations operate more efficiently.
Starting a side business as an IT consultant allows you to supplement your income while still pursuing your main career. The demand for IT consulting is on the rise, and your ability to bridge the gap between technical challenges and business goals could set you apart in this competitive field. Your engineering expertise would enable you to offer valuable insights and innovative solutions, positioning you as a trusted advisor to companies looking to enhance their IT capabilities.
How much you can make: $2,100 — $4,166,667/month
How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
This case study features Md. Yousuf Ali, the founder of Rank Trends, who shares how he started a successful digital marketing agency, which generated a revenue of over $6k per month through SEO and video production services.
16. Build an AI tool ($297K/month)
As an engineer, embarking on the creation of an AI tool could significantly supplement your income and present a lucrative side business opportunity. With the increasing demand for AI-driven solutions across industries such as healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and retail, your strong technical skills and substantial experience in computer science position you well to develop innovative AI tools, like chatbots, virtual assistants, and machine learning platforms. These tools can help businesses automate processes and enhance customer service, leading to time and cost savings for clients.
Given the rapidly expanding market for AI technologies—expected to see revenues soar from $9.5 billion in 2018 to an anticipated $118.6 billion by 2025—you could capitalize on this momentum. By addressing industry-specific challenges with tailor-made AI solutions, you might not only generate substantial earnings but also establish a reputable niche in this burgeoning field.
In this era where artificial intelligence is fast becoming a cornerstone of technological advancement, diving into AI tool development offers the dual benefits of utilizing your engineering expertise and tapping into a high-growth market. This initiative could seamlessly evolve from a side hustle into a full-fledged business, providing sustainable financial rewards and professional fulfillment.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $3,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $6,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 57 days (?)
SkillSoniq, the world's first AI-powered recruiting app, connects companies with skilled freelancers on a trial basis, saving companies 60%+ in hiring costs and earning $350,000+ in gross revenues in its first year, with a current average of $40,000 a month, and plans to raise a second round of seed funding to achieve escape velocity and continue to form a world-class company.
17. Become a software developer ($51.7K/month)
Starting a Software Development Business as an Engineer
As an engineer with strong technical skills and experience in programming, you could explore the opportunities of starting a software development business. By leveraging your understanding of software design, testing, and creation, you could develop innovative solutions for various purposes, including business applications, personal use software, or social networking platforms. With recent trends leaning towards mobile apps and cloud-based solutions, your expertise could be incredibly valuable.
The potential for lucrative earnings is another compelling reason to consider this path. The average salary for software developers is $110,140, with the top 25 percent earning up to $140,000 annually. This indicates a strong market demand and a rewarding financial return for skilled developers.
By launching a software development company, you could tap into a growing industry where businesses are consistently looking for ways to offer their customers convenient access to data and applications. This entrepreneurial venture could not only supplement your income but also lead to creating a fully-fledged business in a field with significant future prospects.
How much you can make: $500 — $350,000/month
How long does it take to build: 100 days (?)
SkyVerge, a software company, has grown rapidly with revenue of $350,000 per month, over 100,000 eCommerce customers, and a globally distributed team of 30 people, all through starting with consulting projects and building focused and solutions-based products, acquiring small products from other developers, and focusing largely on content marketing and providing excellent customer support.
18. Start an influencer platform ($71.6K/month)
As an engineer, starting an influencer platform could be a promising side business or even a full-time venture. By leveraging your technical skills, you could create a seamless digital space where brands and influencers collaborate effortlessly. Imagine developing a user-friendly online marketplace that allows brands to browse, evaluate, and contract influencers who align with their target audience, all while providing built-in analytics tools to track campaign performance.
This business idea is particularly appealing given the growing influence of social media and the increasing demand for genuine engagement. Although it requires a significant initial effort—developing software, curating a database of influencers, and marketing to brands—the potential for scalable income is substantial. For an entrepreneurial-minded engineer, this could be a rewarding pathway into the lucrative digital marketing ecosystem, offering both brands and influencers a win-win solution for their engagement needs.
How much you can make: $500 — $350,000/month
How long does it take to build: 240 days (?)
This case study is about a founder who launched a paywall platform for content creators in 2019, bootstrapping it from $0 and eventually selling it for $3.5M on Flippa, with the platform generating between $125,000 - $142,000 in Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) on 95% margins.
19. Start an user feedback app ($28.7K/month)
As an engineer, you could leverage your technical skills to start a user feedback app that provides businesses with valuable insights into customer needs and preferences. By creating a platform that integrates seamlessly with websites, mobile apps, and email campaigns, you could enable companies to gather real-time feedback without disrupting the user experience. This data can be analyzed to improve products, services, and overall customer satisfaction, helping businesses make better decisions.
Developing such an app requires expertise in app development, data analysis, and user experience design—all areas where your engineering background will be invaluable. Beyond the technical challenges, this venture offers the potential for sustainable income through subscription models, creating recurring revenue. This makes it not only a feasible side business or additional income stream but also a robust foundation for a full-fledged enterprise.
How much you can make: $100 — $150,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Page Flows is a library of inspiration videos for digital product designers and makes about $4,500 per month in revenue from a small, one-off price, with slow and steady growth and long-tail keyword SEO as key drivers of success.
20. Start a browser extension business ($20.3K/month)
Starting a browser extension business would make perfect sense for an engineer, given your skills in software development and problem-solving. You could leverage your technical expertise to create valuable extensions like ad blockers, password managers, or tools that streamline web tasks, thus enhancing the online experience for users. By identifying common pain points and designing solutions, you could tap into a lucrative market while supplementing your income.
Moreover, this venture doesn't require a significant upfront investment, making it ideal for a side business. With the dynamic nature of the browser extension market, staying updated with browser updates and evolving user needs will position you to continually offer relevant and in-demand products. This entrepreneurial endeavor not only utilizes your existing skills but also opens up opportunities for substantial financial growth.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $50,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,560 (?)
How long does it take to build: 50 days (?)
Learn how a designer and developer from Indonesia created Session, an app that helps people stay focused by blocking distractions, which currently makes $5.8K per month in revenue through its freemium business model.
21. Start a data mining and analytics tools business ($237K/month)
As an engineer, starting a data mining and analytics tools business could be a lucrative venture that aligns well with your technical skills and problem-solving mindset. You could develop software that transforms raw data into actionable insights, helping businesses across various sectors such as finance, healthcare, and retail uncover patterns, trends, and insights from their data. This involves utilizing your expertise in programming, statistics, and machine learning to create effective solutions that assist organizations in making data-driven decisions.
The demand for advanced data analysis is growing exponentially, presenting a significant market opportunity. By providing businesses with the intelligence they need to make better strategic decisions, you could play a pivotal role in pioneering their success and driving industry transformations. This business idea not only leverages your engineering background but also allows you to tap into the booming field of data analytics, making it a highly rewarding endeavor.
How much you can make: $450 — $1,500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 107 days (?)
Parseur, the data extraction tool, helps businesses automate their data entry process, catering to multiple industries such as food delivery, real estate and marketing, and has grown to over $40k in revenue per month since its launch in 2017.
22. Start a marketing consulting business ($122K/month)
Starting a marketing consulting business could be an excellent opportunity for an engineer, leveraging your analytical and problem-solving skills to help businesses optimize their marketing strategies. Engineers are inherently skilled in data analysis and logical thinking, which are crucial for conducting market research and developing actionable marketing plans.
You could use your technical background to offer specialized consulting services in tech-heavy industries, where understanding both the product and the market is a significant advantage. By applying engineering principles to assess and solve marketing challenges, you could provide unique, data-driven insights that help businesses reach their target audiences more effectively.
Entrepreneurial-minded engineers with a passion for marketing could find this side business both fulfilling and financially rewarding, as it combines technical expertise with strategic communication. This consulting venture not only supplements your income but also allows for professional growth and diversification of skills.
How much you can make: $100 — $1,250,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.
23. Start a health and wellness products ($433K/month)
As an engineer, leveraging your analytical skills and attention to detail can give you a unique edge in the booming health and wellness industry. You could start by sourcing high-quality products like supplements, fitness gear, organic skincare, and holistic remedies, ensuring each meets rigorous quality and effectiveness standards. Your problem-solving abilities would be invaluable in managing the logistics of sourcing, marketing, and selling these products.
Moreover, engineers are adept at process optimization, which could streamline your operations and reduce costs, allowing you to focus on delivering exceptional value to your customers. By highlighting the genuine benefits of your offerings through customer testimonials and expert endorsements, you could build a trustworthy brand that caters to a growing audience eager for better living. This venture not only supplements your income but also offers the rewarding opportunity to make a positive impact on people's lives.
How much you can make: $3,000 — $2,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 190 days (?)
Matt Oney quit his full-time job to pursue his side hustle full-time: an affiliate marketing-based content site called ZenmasterWellness that generates around 80k monthly visits and average monthly revenue of about $40,000 by leveraging SEO and affiliate partnerships.
24. Develop an email finding app ($16.3K/month)
As an engineer, you could leverage your analytical skills and technical expertise to develop an email finding app, a tool designed to locate email addresses with precision and efficiency. By utilizing advanced algorithms and vast databases, you could create a solution that helps businesses and individuals seamlessly connect with potential clients, partners, or influencers, thereby expanding networks and generating new leads.
The market for such a tool is growing as companies continuously seek ways to streamline operations and improve outreach. Your engineering background gives you an edge in developing a robust, user-friendly interface while ensuring stringent privacy measures are implemented. If you have a knack for problem-solving and a vision for enhancing connectivity, an email finding app could be a promising venture that supplements your income and opens up new entrepreneurial opportunities.
How much you can make: $2,500 — $30,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Contact Any Celebrity founder Jordan McAuley shares how he turned his teenage hobby into a six-figure full-time business with a membership site and print directory of over 59,000 celebrity contacts, and his marketing strategies including an affiliate program, Google AdWords, and free trials.
25. Start a saas company ($296K/month)
As an engineer, starting a SaaS (Software as a Service) company could be a lucrative way to leverage your technical skills and enter the booming tech industry. SaaS products, which are subscription-based software accessed over the internet, are in high demand by businesses seeking to streamline their operations and reduce IT costs. This business model offers diverse opportunities to develop tools such as project management software, automation engines, and workflow designers.
Given your technical background, you could design and build a high-quality SaaS product that stands out in the market. With strong coding skills and a good understanding of the SaaS business model, you could create innovative solutions that solve real-world problems for businesses, mirroring the success of industry leaders like Salesforce. Additionally, SaaS companies often benefit from high margins and offer the flexibility needed to start as a side hustle and potentially develop into a full-fledged business.
Developing and marketing a SaaS product also provides you the opportunity to diversify your income while leveraging your existing engineering skills and knowledge. As more businesses look to adopt cloud-based solutions, your SaaS company could tap into a growing market, providing you with a solid foundation for entrepreneurial success.
How much you can make: $20 — $20,833,333/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
AI-powered web application, Excelformulabot.com, generates Excel formulas within seconds for a subscription fee of $6.99/month or free for five formula requests per month, resulting in $14k/month in recurring revenue since its launch in September 2022, accruing millions of visitors through word of mouth, influencer marketing, SEO, and PPC, implemented through no-code web application Bubble.io, while preparing to penetrate a B2B market and focus on B2B outreach in the future.
26. Start an innovation and technology co. ($1.99M/month)
As an engineer, starting an innovation and technology company could be a highly fulfilling venture that leverages your technical expertise and problem-solving skills. Innovation and Technology Co. focuses on consulting services that help other businesses integrate cutting-edge solutions like AI, blockchain, and IoT into their operations. By offering tailored tech solutions, you could help streamline workflows, enhance productivity, and significantly boost overall business performance.
Given the rapid pace of technological advancement, there's a steady demand for tech consulting services. This business model not only allows you to stay ahead of technological trends but also to have ongoing engagement with various clients and industries. If you're passionate about technology and enjoy solving complex problems, Innovation and Technology Co. could be the ideal entrepreneurial path to supplement your income, make extra money, or even build a full-fledged business.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $13,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 135 days (?)
UK-based Idea Drop is a software-as-a-service (SAAS) allowing businesses to identify, refine and execute innovative ideas through its platform, which is already being used by MT, Ericsson, and the Kent Police Force, offering a public challenge facility allowing clients to crowdsource ideas, with one Covea idea implemented via the platform estimated to save the company £2.5m over five years.
27. Start a video game blog ($10.6K/month)
As an engineer with a passion for gaming and a knack for writing, starting a video game blog could be an exciting and profitable side business. This venture allows you to leverage your analytical skills to craft in-depth game reviews, commentaries on industry trends, or gameplay tutorials that resonate with fellow gamers.
Your primary responsibilities might include playing and reviewing new games, writing engaging blog posts, and staying updated on the latest gaming trends. The potential to attract a dedicated niche audience and monetize through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing makes it an appealing side hustle. Consistent content creation and some proficiency in digital marketing will be essential, but if gaming is your second language, why not turn your passion into a profitable business?
How much you can make: $1,250 — $20,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Dilly Dally Games, run by solopreneur Christian Tuskes, has over 10k daily active users and earns between $16-17k per month from ad revenue due to its unique appeal to a demographic underserved in the gaming industry, as well as its focus on long playing times.
28. Start a web design & online marketing business ($129K/month)
As an engineer, your analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and attention to detail could be exceptionally valuable in a web design and online marketing business. By leveraging your technical expertise, you could create highly functional, user-friendly websites that meet the specific demands of clients, while incorporating effective marketing strategies to drive traffic and conversions.
Furthermore, the online marketing industry in the United States is the second largest and is projected to grow by 30% annually, reaching $400 billion in the next four years. This rapid growth presents a lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurial engineers looking to supplement their income or transition into a new business venture. The combination of your engineering background and the booming market could position you to succeed in this dynamic and expanding field.
How much you can make: $8,000 — $800,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
How Shannon Mattern built a DIY web design training business from scratch that now generates $10k/month in revenue through affiliate commissions and courses, without outside investment or debt.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
