Best 25 Business Ideas of the Future for 2040

It is never too early to plan for the future, especially if you are looking to start your own business. With the advancement in science and technology, more business ideas of the future will soon give entrepreneurs a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Similar to the unicorns of the business industry such as SpaceX, Uber, and Airbnb which all started as a mere idea but because of technology have all become possible, the future holds even more disruptive ventures.

That’s why we listed 25 business ideas that the world is trending towards, let’s dive into it, but first here are the key characteristics that are important for evaluating these business ideas for the future.

Key Characteristics of Business Ideas of the Future: Criteria Table

Here are our criteria for selecting the best business idea that is not only feasible in the future but also addresses sustainability and environmental concerns.

Business Ideas of the Future

1. Install solar power systems for renewable energy.

With almost every aspect of our lives using electricity, from smart home improvements to our vehicles and gadgets, energy is now more important than ever and will only continue to do so in the future. That’s why we have listed the installation of solar power systems as one of the best business ideas of the future.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, this industry offers a wide range of fields for innovation such as improvements in solar panels whether it is enhancing its capability for harnessing solar power or its capacity to store energy, developing more solar-powered products, and sustainable recycling solutions once they have reached their lifespan.

2. Use quantum computing for complex problem-solving.

Quantum computing is just like a super-intelligent computer that can solve complicated and complex problems faster and more efficiently than the normal computers that we use every day.

There are a lot of areas you can apply the problem-solving skills of quantum computing, from deep space exploration, satellite communication, and increasing privacy protection online to more advanced drug development and research. Quantum computing is a very impactful field where business opportunities can be born to make a real difference in the world.

3. Start asteroid mining for rare mineral extraction.

Asteroid mining is a business idea of the future. Right now it is incredibly expensive and can be labeled more as an impossibility than a profitable venture. However, with the advancements in technology, soon it will not feel like a sci-fi movie idea but instead a real opportunity that entrepreneurs can partake in.

It involves sending an unmanned drone or vehicle that is capable of mining different important minerals such as gold, copper, and lithium. Since the mining will take place in space, this also means that you will need a spacecraft that can carry the mining rovers, and bring it back home.

As we push towards the boundary of our capabilities, asteroid mining isn’t only about the financial returns it will bring, but the contribution to the advancement of the human race.

4. Develop 3D bioprinting for organ creation.

There is a shortage of organ donors worldwide, and developing a 3d bioprinter for organ creation will completely solve this problem and is expected to increase human life expectancy. However, just like asteroid mining, this venture opportunity will heavily depend on the improvements of technology. The potential to save lives and help improve the quality of life makes this idea a very fulfilling one for entrepreneurs.

5. Offer VR therapy for mental health wellness.

Virtual reality is an emerging technology that will only improve over time as different large companies work in this field such as Meta, Google, and Sony. Virtual reality therapy for mental health refers to immersing users in a simulated environment that will help them relax and recuperate similar to how music can reduce the feeling of anxiety and relieve stress.

6. Build robots for healthcare assistance.

Robotics is already present in almost every industry including the medical and healthcare sector, and they are here to stay for the future. It can provide a great business opportunity for entrepreneurs as the limits of its functionality and usage depend on your imagination and determination to make it come true.

A few examples are robots that can assist surgeries, clean hospital rooms, provide customer service to patients, and more. The integration of robotics into our healthcare system should aim to improve the effectiveness of the care the patients receive and not replace humans because that is just not ideal.

7. Create autonomous electric vehicle charging stations.

Most of the electric vehicle charging stations are aimed at serving Tesla vehicle owners, however, every car brand is now developing its own hybrid and fully electric automobiles. This means that in several years, there will be a lot more cars that are electric than gas-powered. Entrepreneurs can take advantage of this business opportunity and spearhead the transition of their city from gas stations to EV charging stations.

8. Explore new 3D printing materials and techniques.

3D printing is slowly getting more attention as the accuracy and efficiency of printing 3D objects increases. One of its problems is how slow the whole process takes place, and understandably so because of how complicated it is. However, if you can find a new technique and even new printing materials that can solve this problem, then it can be a viable business.

This idea also includes developing 3D printers that can create products with increased strength and flexibility with the help of those new materials and techniques. Additionally, there will come a day in the future when most of the objects we use in our everyday life will have been created by 3D printing them, this means that 3D printing is one of the best fields that can generate unicorn companies.

9. Develop augmented reality tools for education.

Have you ever been bored looking at the PowerPoint presentations of your teachers or professors? Well, you are not alone as most people find these methods of learning not exciting and sometimes flat-out boring. This is also why there is a lot of educational content on YouTube that has millions of views, mainly because of how entertaining they present their knowledge and information.

Developing an AR or augmented reality tool specifically for education can be one of the best business ideas of the future as it will make learning fun for both sides. This experience includes immersing students in interactive elements, bringing historical events back to life, and looking at complex scientific concepts in 3D.

10. Implement blockchain to protect personal data.

Blockchain refers to the development of immutable records of transactions and storage of sensitive information. Due to its nature, it can be further expanded to other areas of our online life, specifically the protection of our personal data. As technology evolves, it will be a lot easier for hackers to steal this data, so a blockchain solution can be a good future business idea that will make our digital world a better place.

11. Cultivate food with urban and vertical farming.

As cities expand, populated areas rely on rural communities to produce the crops and food that they will consume. That is why cultivating and investing in urban and vertical farming is one of the best business ideas for the future. It reduces the cost of transporting these goods, lessens the impact of carbon emissions on our environment, and makes the food we consume even more fresh.

12. Apply carbon capture technology to reduce CO2 emissions.

The best way to combat climate change and global warming is to prevent excessive carbon emissions into our atmosphere. However, another alternative can be to try and capture the excess C02 emitted into the air and create a more sustainable method of helping our planet breathe. For entrepreneurs, this idea might be a little bit farfetched from today, but with more focus on its development, hopefully, it will come true to life.

13. Launch AI-powered telehealth services for remote care.

An AI-powered telehealth service is not far away from the present. Even with the help of chatGPT, you can already ask about health and taking care of yourself in a conversational way. However, its facts and advice are not monitored or checked by a licensed medical practitioner.

This creates a gap in the market for entrepreneurs to start a business with. An app or any platform where users can talk about their health concerns without going to the hospital or clinic is a great future business idea that someone is already probably working on right now.

14. Pioneer personal aerial transportation, like drone taxis.

Drone taxis can be used for both delivering goods and even individuals in the future. Aerial vehicles will someday be a quicker way to travel between cities, offering a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to the traditional land automobiles. Yes, there are already airborne vehicles such as airplanes and choppers, however, drone taxis can be more personal and tailored to the individual, for them to be able to travel anywhere with aerial transportation.

15. Introduce next-gen cybersecurity measures for digital safety.

We mentioned blockchain as a great way to protect our personal information online, however, there are a lot more technology in the cybersecurity field that can do this job in their own ways. According to Statista, the cybersecurity industry is projected to reach over $183 billion this 2024. It is one of the best markets to invest in and start some business ideas for the future.

16. Build decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms for financial services.

Most financial services involve banks, especially government-managed ones. DeFi or decentralized finances aims to make this aspect of life more accessible, transparent, and open to all. It is an innovative business idea of the future, that will give the public an alternative to the traditional banking system. It should incorporate a wide range of benefits such as faster transactions, lower overall fees, and better regulatory requirements.

17. Develop IoT solutions for smart city infrastructure.

IoT or Internet of Things refers to the connection of different systems to create a more efficient and intelligent city. This could include having synchronized traffic lights that communicate with each other to better manage the traffic of the city, smart sensors that monitor the quality of the air, or interconnected lighting systems that aim to preserve energy. With IoT solutions, any place can be a smart city creating a sustainable and more livable urban environments.

18. Promote space travel and interstellar tourism.

Have you ever watched the film Interstellar, it is one of the best films about space travel, and just as you imagine, it is set in the future. Almost any film about traveling outside of our planet is. That is because of two reasons, one is that we have not developed the necessary technology to do so, and the other is that humanity is still currently developing it.

Interstellar tourism and space travel will be both profitable and fulfilling, which is why the likes of Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Richard Branson have all started their own non-governmental operations to venture into space. Their involvement, combined with yours will make this dream a reality sooner than we can anticipate.

19. Produce sustainable, lab-grown meat.

Producing lab-grown meat is a business idea that provides a solution to the problems and challenges of animal welfare, food shortage, and conservation of the environment. Entrepreneurs can have the chance to spearhead this major change in the food industry by committing to its research and development, either by starting their own company or investing in leading biotechnological clinics. If done successfully, this can change the way we consume meat, and hopefully, it is for the better.

20. Analyze genetic information through DNA reading.

Advancements in DNA reading will help the medical industry a lot by providing accurate and more personalized healthcare experiences. As more individuals and scientists are becoming curious about genetic information and how it can be used to better our lives, entrepreneurs can make use of this opportunity to start a business revolving around the analysis of an individual’s DNA.

21. Use nanotechnology for medical advancements.

We have mentioned a lot of technological solutions to aid medical advancements, and another one is the use of nanotechnology. It involves managing and manipulating matter atomically or in a molecular state to develop new substances that have different functions and properties. This field is just full of innovative ideas that will give opportunities for entrepreneurs to craft some of the best business ideas of the future.

22. Enhance computer engineering or IT solutions.

Computers and information technology are becoming an integral part of our lives. There will always be a demand to make it better as more and more activities are becoming another program or software that computers do for us. For example, buying groceries or even online education, computers will soon dominate almost every field in every way. So this means that computer engineering will be a field full of business opportunities for entrepreneurs.

23. Develop AI-Personalized Mental Health Apps or Website

There are countless uses for AI in today’s world and with the increasing awareness of mental health, combining both of these fields is an innovative business idea for the future. You might be asking, why in the future and not now? What is the one skill that AI has that is a lot better than humans? It is their ability to learn from the data they have gathered or were given. With more experience in taking care of the mental health of individuals, AI technology will only get better as time goes on.

24. Supply clean air with bottled air production.

A business idea revolving around supplying clean air in a bottled production similar to Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax movie where fresh air is something humans buy because there isn’t enough anymore is hopefully one that we would never need. However, it made it to this list because it can still be a possibility and one that is very intriguing to think about.

25. Integrate Smart Technologies for Home Care and Elderly Care

We have mentioned different smart technologies that help individuals do their day-to-day tasks, this one is tailored to our elderly citizens living at home or in a retirement place. If technology can help the young ones, it should also be able to take care of the community’s elderly people.

This can be done by integrating technologies that monitor their health, provide assistance in their daily lives, and automated systems that aid their medications. As life expectancy on our planet grows, this means that there will be more older population in the coming years, and this means that for entrepreneurs this business idea for the future can be worth it.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, as we get closer to the future, the key to starting and raising a one-in-a-million business idea is to care about the environment and the community. There will be a lot of business opportunities that you can encounter along the way, however only a few will possess these characteristics, and by embracing these principles, future business ideas will ensure that our society grows for the better.

Christian Paul Seguiza Founder and Lead Web Developer at Webpreneurships

As a professional web and software developer, the author possesses a strong foundational background in Computer Science. This equips him with both academic rigor and practical insights into the world of web-based entrepreneurship. As the founder of this platform, webpreneurships.com, he stands at the intersection of technology and business.