40 Side Project Ideas for Software Engineers

Innovative technologies help to cope with pressing problems in the modern world. huge profits to owners are becoming increasingly popular in the business sphere . In this article you will learn what a startup is in simple words and what its essence is. You will also get acquainted with the best Start Up projects for 2020.

What is Startup in simple words: definition of the concept and features

A startup is an idea for a business based on the use of new technologies or the introduction of unique products. The name comes from the English word startup company, which means “starting”.

This definition was first used in Forbes magazine in 1973.

Many projects of this type are developed even before official registration. The format of the company and the composition of the team do not matter. An idea becomes popular only if the development helps solve a specific problem for humanity in some special way that has not been used before.

Start Up to a temporary structure aimed at generating financial profit. A startup is a project to develop an idea with all the calculations and characteristics, and also implies finding sources of financing and subsequent implementation.

Distinctive features of Start Up:

1. development of a project “from scratch”;
2. limited financial capabilities;
3. the presence of relationships between partners (study, friendship, work, etc.).

The name “startup” is given only to those companies that have already manufactured a product, but do not yet have a strong position in the market. A “raw” project or development is not a Start Up, but represents the basis for creation. These concepts should not be confused with each other.

The success of innovative solutions depends on several factors. We are talking about the absolute confidence of developers that their idea is truly useful. Team cohesion is of great importance. A team of like-minded people is capable of obtaining faster and more guaranteed results than one person.

Youth is also an advantage, even if this statement sounds like discredit. Investors are more willing to invest their finances in ambitious and young people. But you should not take this statement literally, because the success of business ideas has no age restrictions.

Choose a project management approach

Now the most famous approaches are Waterfall and Agile (SCRUM, Kanban). The fashion for SCRUM is gaining momentum, and many are rushing to use it everywhere. But this is fundamentally wrong.

Each of these three approaches has its own pros and cons. Just as a hammer is used to drive nails rather than screws, each approach is useful for “its own nails.”

There are different ways to define approaches for your projects. I am using the following algorithm.

I am answering the questions:

Are the project's goals clearly defined or vague?

Is the technology clear or can it change many times?

Has the customer decided on the requirements or does he want to start as early as possible and decide along the way?

How many changes may occur during the course of the project?

If our goals and technologies are clear, the Customer has decided on the requirements, and the number of changes is insignificant, then using Waterfall is most justified.

Let's assume a different situation. At the start of the project, we have a large area of ​​uncertainty, the Customer is ready to actively get involved in the project, due to the lack of clear requirements, many changes are planned, and we need to start “yesterday”.

In this case, it is better to use the Agile family of approaches (SCRUM or Kanban).

Types of startup projects

There are several classifications of startups: by scale of implementation, by payback period and by type of sales. All options are clearly presented in the diagrams.

Difference between startups by type and sales options

Game Insight: a highly successful publisher

The company was founded in 2020. In just a few years of operation, the platform has attracted more than 150 million unique users. About 15-20 development companies use the publishing house’s services every month. The main investors are the same Igor Matsanyuk and his venture fund. About $15 million was invested in the development of ideas and developments. It is worth noting that the company’s annual revenue has now exceeded $90 million per year. The project is extremely successful and in demand in its industry.

Many famous game projects were published under the wing of “Game Insight”. Extremely profitable deals with well-known developers are expected in the future. Another example of how a Russian company can compete in the international market. And do it quite successfully. The project is among the TOP 10 best domestic startup companies. The publishing house cooperates with the social network Vkontakte, as well as Facebook.

Examples of the best startups in Russia and abroad

Start Up projects differ in growth rates, products and market shares. There are also a number of other distinctive indicators.

The most significant are divided into the following categories:

1. Minimum investment and quick profit (sponges in the shape of emoticons, spinners) – income up to $80 million.
2. Missions that change human lives. For example, Apple opened the era of the digital economy, Uber brought to life the idea of ​​self-driving taxis. With their innovative solutions, they changed government structures, people's employment and economic models.
3. The combination of making quick money and changing the world. The most successful example is the start-up Airbnb, a booking company. From standard hotels, clients were switched to any type of housing that can be rented via the Internet. Hostels and apartments have become the standard option for tourists and travelers. Ordinary people, not just hotel business owners, can act as landlords.

Many Russian projects are copies of foreign analogues. The most successful examples are a copy of Facebook , Yandex , etc.

It is not easy to identify successful innovations on the Russian market. A striking example is the Kapersky laboratory and the Kalashnikov assault rifle.

The most successful startups are:

• printing human body tissue on a 3D printer (Bioprinting Solutions);
• application for collecting discount cards (Cardberry) ;
• instantly search for the necessary information on the Internet (AstroDigital).

Many projects are of interest only to a narrow circle of people. The most promising system is “Forest Watch” , aimed at detecting fires in forests. This option is relevant exclusively for employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations . For large factories, a striking example is EcoCat , a project aimed at reducing the cost of heating industrial facilities.

Stages of Startup development

Like all projects, a startup has several key stages of development along the way. We offer a division based on the developments of S. Blank (author of “Four Steps to Insight”). The book describes the Start Up development model, which implies economical expenditure of invested funds.

Stage No. 1 – Origin or pre-seed

At the stage of the emergence of an exceptional idea, its profitability - the ability to make people's lives easier and better. A team of like-minded people is also being formed and assistants are being searched for.

A mandatory item is the development of a rough development plan and investment options. A prototype of a service, product or technology is tested. Finding investors is still quite difficult, since projects in the initial stages do not have any achievements necessary to determine the level of effectiveness.

Stage No. 2 – Formation or seed

A working model has already been developed and a development team has been created, as well as a detailed strategy for promotion into the user environment. also been formed , advertising has been launched and attempts have been made to find investors.

There is practically no profit and does not cover expenses. The most suitable source of funding is crowdfunding . It's about getting funding from people who are willing to invest small amounts to help the startup grow.

Stage 3 – Alpha version or early development

We are talking about having an already operating company that generates income. The project is well-known and has a certain place in the consumer environment.

Developers' job is to complete a product, technology, or service. It is necessary to refine defects and eliminate inaccuracies.

Stage No. 4 – Beta version or closed expansion

The company already has a product that is complete and functional. Developers already receive regular income. The project has been worked out to the smallest detail and is ready for scaling.

At the fourth stage, sales contracts are concluded, new offices or sales points are opened, and the quality of advertising is improved. It is important to properly build relationships with investors, i.e. distribute shares and legally formalize transactions.

Stage 5 – Open Version or Maturity

The startup has already become a serious business . The company is in a leading position and employs experienced and competent specialists. A business idea has a high level of return on investment.

The fifth stage involves issuing shares that generate high income. At this stage of development, most companies are sold as a ready-made business.

Successful examples of crowdfunding projects

Throughout the history of crowdfunding, many projects have been implemented, funds for which were literally collected by the whole world. Among the successful ideas:

• Pebble Time watch - for the implementation of smart watches that complement the functions of a smartphone, they raised a million dollars in just an hour. The initial goal was only 500 thousand dollars, but exceeding the limit allowed the implementation of more technologically advanced watches.
• Coolest Cooler - $13.2 million was raised for a universal portable refrigerator with the functions of a cocktail blender, power bank and speaker. Initially, it was planned to raise $50 thousand for this project.
• Exploding Kittens is a card game based on Russian Roulette. Almost $9 million was collected from 220 thousand people for its creation.
• OUYA, a gaming console based on Android OS, attracted investments of a million US dollars in just a week, although the initial target was set at $950,000.
• Computer games Torment: Tides of Numenera and Project Eternity collected an average of $4 million each, and exceeded the initial target by 3-4 times. The developers managed to attract attention thanks to a clear description of the final product, colorful art compositions and constant communication with investors.

To realize your unique and promising development in the absence of money, you can seek the help of third-party investors from all over the world. For this purpose, there are crowdfunding platforms in Russia and abroad, where people are ready to help with money the development of useful and interesting plans. But before you start, it is important to familiarize yourself with the rules and promotion strategy, because only well-prepared proposals achieve success.

If the material was useful, do not forget to repost and like it. All the best!!!.

How to create your own startup

To open your own business, you first need to think carefully about the idea, which must be original. You can view options on popular startup exchanges. Next, you should develop a business plan describing the project, market entry and promotion options.

After this, the birth of the project begins, regardless of the number of developers. Even if the idea is not fully implemented, it is necessary to convey the basics to people. It is important to generate interest in a service or product, which will significantly increase the likelihood of finding an investor.

Only after the start of financing is it possible to continue - bringing the project to the world market. Success awaits only those startups who can come up with a really good idea.

Top 5 best ideas for an IT startup on the Internet

Opening a freelance exchange

The difficulty lies in finding permanent employers who can regularly provide orders to performers. The functionality for the exchange costs about 50,000 rubles.

The profit will be 5-10% for each order. The commission is usually charged to the performer.

Approximate income: 50,000 rubles per month. Total expenses are about 300,000 rubles. Payback period is more than six months.

Testing web resources

Costs are associated solely with the registration of activities. The idea is to test new sites and provide customers with complete information about the resource.

Profit depends on the number of orders and is about 40,000 rubles per month.

Selling trainings

If you have certain knowledge, you can share it with other people. The easiest way to organize the learning process is via the Internet. 500-1500 rubles per student

The contribution will be about 50,000 rubles . It is recommended to work with narrower topics that are not found on the Internet, for example, numismatics, photography, etc.

Online quests

The essence of man lies in the constant desire to achieve success. If real interaction with other people is impossible, then there is another way - the virtual world.

Online quests are a real opportunity to organize leisure time for millions of people.

To open a startup you will need out-of-the-box thinking and education in the field of IT technologies. The costs will be small compared to the profits awaiting developers.

Website development

Beginning entrepreneurs can promote ready-made pages or create new ones. You can work to order or sell completed projects.

First you need to complete the courses if the necessary knowledge is missing. Next comes the launch of advertising and the search for new customers. Financial investments – purchasing a domain, paying for hosting and marketing activities.

Startups with minimal investment: TOP-11 popular ideas for starting your own business

The best business ideas with minimal investment of money.

Startup No. 1. Work “Husband for an hour”

“Husband for an hour” is a service that can be ordered when repairs or minor repairs are required. This could be anything: installing a switch or socket, replacing and installing a light bulb, fixing plumbing, repairing small (and sometimes large) household appliances, etc.

This idea will be especially in demand in megalopolises and large cities, where the pace of life is so frantic that sometimes it is difficult to allocate even half an hour of extra time for repairs, so it is easier to call a specialist who will fix everything in the shortest possible time.

In order to launch this idea, you will need to advertise in thematic groups or on social networks. A personal car will also make your work much easier, as it will allow you to get to your destinations faster, but if you don’t have one yet, that’s okay, public transport will help. Over time, if things go uphill, you can hire an additional 2-3 people, thanks to whom it will be possible to take more orders.

Competition in this market is not so great, but, nevertheless, it exists, so the main emphasis must be placed on the quality of the services provided. It's better to do well and charge a high price, but still earn rave reviews and future recommendations. People are designed in such a way that they are mentally ready to pay more money at once, but then forget about this problem, rather than save 50 rubles and call a specialist every other day. That’s why the “Husband for an Hour” idea is a great start to a business with a minimum investment.

Qualified specialists can earn 40-60 thousand per month, and an entrepreneur who organized the launch of a business, being a skillful manager, can receive up to 150,000 rubles per month at the initial stage.

Startup No. 2. Breeding dwarf animals at home

Breeding animals can become quite a profitable business, provided the only condition is that this business, of course, must have a passion for it. If a person does not like animals in principle, he will be forced to constantly overpower himself, and, ultimately, everyone will suffer from this.

But if a person adores animals and clearly understands the scale of work and responsibility, then after a short period of time, this idea will begin to bear fruit.

First, of course, you need to decide what kind of animals you need to breed: these could be kittens, puppies, guinea pigs, hamsters or newts. The main condition for successful implementation is to find a “sales market”. There are special groups on social networks that bring together animal lovers; it will be possible to post advertisements for sale there, at least for the first time. Later, when funds become available, it will be possible to make good advertising so that as many people as possible know about the sale.

As for earnings, they can be very decent.

For example, purebred pedigreed kittens and puppies with a good pedigree can cost from $300 to $2,000. Also, over time, if space allows, you can open a veterinary store that will sell related products for animals - this way there will be even more people interested.

In short, raising animals at home is definitely worth thinking about.

Organization of a cargo transportation business.

Startup No. 3. Cargo transportation

Recently, with the development of the Internet, online trade or online stores have become widespread, where a person can buy almost anything without leaving home. Naturally, with the increase in sales of such goods, the need for cargo transportation has increased, allowing the ordered goods to be quickly delivered to the specified address. This is what makes the cargo transportation niche so attractive to potential investors and falls into the category of “startups with minimal investment.”

You can start by opening a small agency that will employ 3-4 people. While you don’t have your own fleet of vehicles, you can look for the same drivers with personal cars who want to earn money and use them to take orders. It is better to set prices not too high, but also not to work at a loss.

Before making a price list, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the current prices of transportation companies already existing on the market and offer clients more attractive conditions. There are many examples of how a person who has only one gazelle carries out transportation on more favorable terms, and then hires several more people, after which the work goes in full swing.

To calculate the profit from organizing cargo transportation, you need to draw up a competent business plan, which will clearly state how many expenses transportation will entail, clearly structured logistics, and also calculate how financial risks the entrepreneur can bear.

But in a good situation, a small company of 4 people and two cars can bring in 170,000 -300,000 rubles per month. Of course, first you will need to invest money in the business, you may have to take out a loan for a car, but it will be worth it.

Startup No. 4. Working as a tutor at home

A tutor is not just a lucrative job, it is, among other things, also difficult. After all, it’s not enough just to have some knowledge, you need to be able to somehow convey this knowledge to others and try to make sure that a person passes it through himself and assimilates it. That is why good and talented tutors are now worth their weight in gold.

If tutoring is a vocation, then you can turn this vocation into a decent income, however, before that you need to answer a few questions for yourself. Firstly, it is necessary to decide whether this work will be aimed exclusively at schoolchildren who are going to enter universities, at those who simply want to learn something new for themselves or for children. Based on this, a different training program is selected, that is, completely differentiated teaching methods are used.

A tutor is a job to which you need to devote yourself entirely, because any neglect is always felt by both the student and the parents (if it is a child). If you establish yourself as a competent and qualified specialist, satisfied students will recommend the tutor to their acquaintances and friends, citing themselves and their results as an example. And this kind of advertising works most effectively.

The cost of a tutor's services can vary, it all depends on age, experience and city, but average prices start at 500 rubles per hour.

Startup No. 5. Massage at home or outcall

In order to become a professional massage therapist, whether you like it or not, you will have to get a specialized education. It is not necessary to graduate from a medical school, but obtaining a nursing degree or taking specialized courses is still a requirement. And then you can begin to develop this service sector.

Today it is difficult to find a beauty salon, fitness club or swimming pool that does not have a massage room. What does this mean? The fact that massage is in great demand today, regardless of a person’s age, field of activity and social status. Some people are prescribed massage for medical reasons, while others just want to relax - so why not give people this opportunity? Moreover, you can offer various types of massage: therapeutic, sports, preventive, anti-cellulite, hygienic and others.

A massage parlor can be opened at home, or you can work with a visit to the client’s home. As for the cost, the average price for 1 half-hour massage session ranges from 400 to 1500 rubles.

If you plan to travel to the client, you will need to add travel costs to the cost of the procedure.

Startup No. 6. Online customer consultations

The Internet has truly destroyed all existing boundaries between people, cities and countries. Today, for example, you can conduct consultations and trainings without leaving your home - what about startups with minimal investments? Thanks to Skype, Viber and other programs that support video communication, this has become possible.

Online customer consultation via computer.

To make online consultations a full-fledged way to earn money, you need to choose a specific niche for yourself. This could be teaching foreign languages, conducting legal or medical consultations (if you have a specialized education, of course), psychological trainings, business trainings, webinars designed to teach you something to do (conducting master classes), drawing up individual horoscopes and much, much more. other. Naturally, medical consultations will cost an order of magnitude more than horoscopes, but they also require more knowledge and professionalism.

The possibility of fruitful communication via the Internet is suitable for both parties, as it allows you to save money on travel. And if you also be an excellent specialist in your field and make sure that consultations bring real benefits to people, then there will definitely be no end to clients. All you need for online consultations is a stable Internet connection and a personal computer or laptop (although a tablet or smartphone is also suitable).

According to current prices, the average cost of one hour of consultation with a doctor costs about 1000 rubles, with a lawyer 700-800 rubles, with a business coach from 500 to 1500 rubles. Monthly earnings directly depend on the number of clients and are individual for each one.

Startup No. 7. Confectionery products to order

Making desserts to order is an excellent example of how a hobby can turn into income, and a good one at that. If a person loves to bake, but doesn’t know where else to apply this talent, this business idea will suit him.

To start the process, you need to take several important steps: make a catalog, find clients, organize a distribution channel. People who have never placed an order with this pastry chef will definitely want to look at the work already completed, so they will have to spend a little time and money to create a beautiful album with works, a kind of “portfolio”.

Next you need to start looking for clients, and at first, this can be done through acquaintances and friends; as you know, word of mouth works very well. You can also advertise about yourself on social networks - this will create even more opportunities to attract customers.

And finally, if the business takes off, you need to look for distribution channels. An excellent solution would be to rent a place in a supermarket or a small pastry shop, but for this you need to do something truly original and memorable.

A huge advantage of this business is the fact that it is not seasonal, but permanent, that is, people celebrate and celebrate something all year round. As for the price, we must proceed from the cost of the products, as well as the amount at which the pastry chef values ​​his work and creativity.

On average, by making 2-3 medium-sized cakes per week, you can earn about 15-20 thousand rubles per month.

And only later, when the cakes become a work of art, their price can rise sharply, and this is a direct road to success and financial independence. For some confectioners, a wedding cake alone costs 20-50 thousand rubles.

Startup No. 8. Sale of hand-made products

As with custom cakes, handmade products are another example of how a hobby can generate significant income and income. Hand-made business ideas cover an entire industry, which is difficult to limit to just one type of product. This includes making jewelry (jewelry, earrings, rings, bracelets, brooches and pendants), handmade dolls (tilda, etc.), sewing children's clothing, making Christmas tree decorations and decorations. And speaking about hand-made themes, it is also worth mentioning figurines, decorative trinkets, items for interior decoration and much, much more.

The most important thing is to find clients who will order some things. First, you should think about posting several of your works in thematic groups dedicated to needlework, fortunately, there are now enough of them, both on VKontakte and on Facebook or Odnoklassniki. Over time, if things go well, you can open your own online store, where you can place products in stock and also accept orders for production.

At first, a novice master can earn about 8-15 thousand rubles per month, but an already well-known master with his own online store can earn from 100 thousand rubles per month, minus overhead costs.

For an online store, you will need to open an LLC or register as an individual entrepreneur, but this is not difficult. Therefore, we can conclude that making handmade items can be a very profitable activity, but only if you put your soul into it!

Atelier at home: a profitable business for women.

Startup No. 9. Atelier at home

There are people who sew perfectly, and they do it by themselves, they don’t put any special effort into it. So why don’t they organize their business from scratch and open a studio at home. An atelier at home is very convenient, since the client always has somewhere to come and try on a thing in a calm atmosphere, without rushing.

Before starting work, you need to decide what format the atelier will take: whether it will be just alterations and minor repairs of clothes or individual tailoring. You can start by altering clothes, because services such as sewing a dress, adjusting the width of trousers or cutting jeans will always be in high demand. And if opportunities permit, you can immediately offer clients tailor-made clothes. If a dressmaker knows her job well and can make a pattern and then sew any outfit that the client wants, over time, many people will learn about such a master.

For example, there is a fairly large category of people who want no one else to have such a second thing, and who, besides a seamstress, can give them such a guarantee? Moreover, it is immediately worth noting that professional dressmakers charge very decent money for tailoring.

To open an atelier, you will need to take care of purchasing a good sewing machine, which, by the way, are also expensive, find a supplier of good fabrics and accessories, but also be patient, of course. Cutting and sewing is a monotonous and sometimes routine task; it requires special perseverance and increased concentration, but the result will not be long in coming.

Experienced and talented dressmakers can earn from 70-80 thousand rubles per month.

Business ideas for starting a business in your garage.

Startup No. 10. Own production in the garage

The world does not stand still and many enterprising people came up with the idea of ​​using their garage not only as a place for a car, but were also able to open their own business in the garage. If there is a free garage, then it can be slightly refurbished and used for business purposes. For example, you can open a dry cleaner or laundry: you just need to buy a couple of machines, laundry equipment and off you go.

The garage can also be used as a place for repairing household appliances, that is, you can open a small repair shop in the garage. This idea will be especially useful for those who understand repairs and already have some accumulated work experience. The advantage of a workshop in a garage is the fact that this activity can be used as an additional part-time job and you can do repairs in your free time from your main job.

And finally, the third option: you can grow mushrooms in the garage, namely oyster mushrooms and champignons. In order to start growing mushrooms in the garage, it is enough to install a ventilation system, take care of lighting, and buy compost and mycelium.

According to average estimates, the initial costs will be about 20 thousand rubles, but the first income from the sale will be about 50 thousand rubles. If we develop sales channels for mushrooms, it will be possible to raise this price level.

Startup No. 11. Aquaprint at home

Aquaprint is an immersion print, which is an image on a hard surface that imitates various natural structures, such as wood, stone, animal color and others. The advantage of hydrographic printing is that it can be applied to various types of surfaces, including plastic and glass.

To open a hydrographic printing business, you will need to purchase immersion film, activator, bath, car varnish and consumables. Well, naturally, we need a person who will know how this process occurs.

The market cost of applying hydrographic printing, for example, on a sedan car, is about 13 thousand rubles, on oversized furniture 3000-4000 rubles.

Therefore, monthly earnings depend solely on the number of clients and personal professional skills.

Top 5 Best Startup Ideas for Men

Solar collectors

In Russia, the business of selling and installing solar collectors is poorly . Domestic entrepreneurs can use this idea to open a startup.

Area of ​​use:

• heating of residential premises;
• heating of utility blocks;
• hot water supply.

It is better to offer the installation service along with the sale of products, since installation is not complicated. Reselling solar collectors purchased from other sellers will be a less profitable business. Tangible profits can only be obtained by making them yourself. The cost of one product will be 5-6 thousand rubles. already after 2-3 months of work.

Growing greens

First, you need to install a greenhouse on a plot of land, then select varieties of greenery, and start growing crops. After which you can start looking for a place to sell: rent a point in a shopping center or market.

Vending machines

To install one device, you need to rent a place - 1-2 m2 , near the electrical power point. The correct combination of products sold and the chosen location is of great importance.

To open a startup, you need to register an individual entrepreneur and sign a lease agreement. You can hire a person to service the machine or do it yourself.

Material on the topic: Vending - what is it and how to start from scratch in 2020

A startup implies a unique idea. Automatic machines are already installed at almost every step. The highlight is that you can sell unusual products or provide a unique service: charging mobile phones, quick photos, medicines, etc.

Broiler farming

There are two ways to do business:

1. purchase chickens, raise them and resell them;
2. purchase incubators and embryos to carry out a full growing cycle (there are risks of defects).

First you need to acquire equipment and rent a room. Next, install shelves and feeders, purchase food, microelements and vitamins. Compliance with growing and heating technology is of great importance. Birds can be sold online or in agricultural markets.

Tree transfer

Green vegetation obstructing the construction process can be saved. To do this, you need to acquire specialized equipment that will dig up trees without damaging the root system.

You will only need to spend money on equipment that can be rented. There are also costs associated with labor costs. Profit will not take long to arrive.

Where to find investments for a startup: top 7 effective ways

#1 – Venture Investments

The best solution to startup financing issues is venture investment . But it’s not so easy to extract funds from investors. There are several ways to increase your chances of receiving money.

1. Close-knit team. Work on the project should be led by experienced financiers. Minimal investor confidence in yesterday's graduates.
2. Sales . The chances of project success increase if there is an experienced marketer on the team. Financiers do not want to consider proposals that do not have the slightest chance of success in the market.
3. No lies. When negotiating with investors, you should tell only the truth. If the lie is recognized, then the startup will be blacklisted for several years.
4. Focus on the idea . Don't tackle multiple projects at once. A startup needs to devote maximum time and effort.
5. Honesty and transparency. A product developed for the client and aimed at solving specific problems is a guarantee of interest on the part of investors without additional “chatter”.
6. Lack of experience. Having knowledge in the field of the startup being promoted increases the chances of success. A generally recognized expert will help solve the problem, who will provide a reference and confirm the demand for the project on the market.
7. Smart choice for the investor. Many startups, due to lack of experience, turn to the wrong financiers. Each investor undertakes to finance a certain stage of project development, which must be taken into account when applying.

Initially, do not take on a project that has no market prospects. We are talking about those startups that will not pay off more than 2-3 times.

No. 2 – Banks

A loan can be issued to a legal entity or an individual. To do this, the applicant must have a good credit history. You may also need collateral or a guarantee, which depends on the terms of the loan.

Many banks provide special programs aimed at supporting medium and small businesses. The risks of this method will be enormous. If the startup is only at the idea level.

No. 3 – Relatives and friends

Close people surrounding the startup probably have a certain amount in reserve. Over time, money depreciates. It's better to invest them in something more profitable. In most cases, it does not take much time to receive the required amount, since relatives and friends are always happy to help beginning businessmen. The exit chain is usually 2-3 people.

No. 4 – State funds to support start-up entrepreneurs

When contacting government agencies, you should not count on large sums. But if the startup is useful to the region, then it will be a completely different conversation.

No. 5 – “Business Angels”

People who own large capital are often interested in promising projects. They are ready to invest quite large sums.

You can find “Business Angels” on social networks.

#6 – Own blog

An ideal option for presenting your idea is a thematic website. Through the Internet you can introduce your project to an audience of millions. Surely many will agree to donate a small amount for the development of a startup.

#7 – Private foundations

There are about 10 private organizations in Russia that help budding startups not only financially, but also give practical advice. Getting investment requires less effort than with state-owned companies.

Domestic online call service Zingaya

The project was launched in 2010. The main idea of ​​the startup is the ability to make calls directly through an Internet browser. It is enough to make just a couple of clicks and you can be content with free and high-quality communication, which is not inferior to analogues from competitors. At one time, the project was supported by a Moscow venture fund. $3 million was allocated for the development of ideas and technology.

The project cooperates with many of the largest companies in Russia. Such as: MTS, Volkswagen, Promsvyazbank. Several years ago, several companies in America and Europe began to use the company’s services. Statistics make it clear that everything is fine with traffic and customer base. About 600 companies use their services, and an average of one and a half million calls are made per year. In recent years, the company's turnover has grown by 450%, and profits are approaching 1 million a year. Now, the company has also attracted foreign investment funds. The idea and product are constantly evolving, the company is among the TOP 50 most successful venture startups. The main advantages of the platform are: quality of communication, low response of the server part and a perfectly adapted user interface.

Advice for aspiring startups

To avoid mistakes, you should study the basic recommendations that will help your project reach the TOP:

1. First, test the niche through test sales or word of mouth to gather real statistics and evaluate the profitability of the idea.
2. Develop a plan in advance so that you do not encounter unforeseen difficulties in the process that will cause the startup to close.
3. The development team must have specialists who know how to create, manage and promote. It's difficult to succeed alone.
4. Think about marketing from the very beginning . Market promotion is necessary at all stages of startup development, which will allow you to capture a large part of the market.

How to complete training quickly and efficiently

The development and implementation of startups can be learned. There are many courses available on the Internet for this purpose. The learning process includes working with a training and monitoring chatbot, watching video lectures and taking automated tests.

Anyone can take advantage of the offer to take a free trial lesson. The full course allows you to develop your project, from an idea to the launch of a finished business on the market.

Macro lens for full frame cameras Laowa 24mm f/14

The project was supported by 756 people, $1,021,981 .

A unique macro lens for shooting video on full-frame DSLRs is always a rather specific product. It’s all the more surprising that Venus Optics were able to climb so high in our ranking.

Our readers often argue about cameras. But I think almost no one has seen this: the f/14 is far beyond the realm of reason.

In fact, the Laowa immediately hints at incredible performance. The minimum shooting distance is 2 centimeters at 2x magnification.

The large shooting field of 84 degrees is also worth adding to the list of serious advantages of the lens. It's a shame that fantastic performance lies in the realm of small-scale production with incredible prices.

Minimum cost: $1 099