15+ Small Business Ideas in Odisha for 2025

Perched between the lush Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal, Odisha is renowned for its temples, historical landmarks, vibrant culture, natural beauty, and unique handicrafts. Over the years, the state has evolved from an agriculture-based economy to a hub for industry and services. The strategic coastline supports ports and marine life, and it also has thriving sectors such as manufacturing, mining, textiles, food processing, and petrochemicals. opportunities, enabling entrepreneurs to contribute to its dynamic economic growth. This blog explores business ideas in Odisha and its conducive environment for low-investment, high-potential businesses.
 

List of 15 Small Business Ideas in Odisha

Given below is a list of some top small business ideas in Odisha:

1. Coconut processing

The state's long coastline, abundantly dotted with coconut trees, provides a very profitable business idea in Odisha. Entrepreneurs can set up coconut processing units, producing various products, such as coconut oil, coconut water, and coconut-based snacks. Today, there is a lot of research on culinary mediums, and coconut oil is a healthy and versatile cooking medium, so it's in great demand in the industry. As a freshly extracted and packaged drink, coconut water has gained popularity among consumer preferences. Alternatives to traditional snacks, such as coconut-based snacks like chips and energy bars, appeal to a broad consumer base. The industry has the potential to generate employment and is supported by the state government.

2. Handloom and textiles

Creating a branded local weave in collaboration with weavers and artisans can be one of the lucrative start-up business ideas in Odisha. Odisha handloom products like Ikaat, Sambalpuri, and Bomkai are highly sought after domestically and internationally for their intricate designs and vibrant colors. They are rich, culturally, and economically viable. Showcasing them on online platforms and retail outlets can benefit entrepreneurs and provide a sustainable livelihood to local artisans.

3. Eco-Tourism

Eco Tourism is a lucrative venture and can be one of the best small business ideas in Odisha. Odisha is dotted with ecotourism destinations like Debrigarh ecotourism, Chilika Lake, and Gahirmath Turtle Sanctuary, and there is an increasing surge in tourists wanting to visit eco-tourism spots and explore these places. As an eco-tour operator, good research and experience in this industry is essential to guide customers. Eco resorts, nature camps, guided tours focused on wildlife, bird watching, nature trails, etc, can attract enthusiasts and conservationists. This business can be started from home, and a laptop and a good Wi-Fi connection with a website plan are required. A marketing strategy to promote the business has to be designed for a successful venture.

4. Tribal craft emporium

Odisha has a rich tribal art and handicraft heritage, and starting an emporium to showcase tribal handicrafts and artwork from different communities can be a promising and socially impactful start-up business idea in Odisha. By promoting their tribal handicrafts to global markets, one can preserve cultural heritage and provide sustainable livelihoods to tribal artisans in Odisha. Tribal art forms like Dokra metal casting, Pattachitra paintings, wood carvings, textiles, tribal jewelry, and many more attract socially conscious consumers and collectors interested in authentic tribal art.

5. Herbal and Ayurvedic products

Bounded by rich biodiversity and forests, Odisha provides abundant herbal resources. This is a niche but promising and profitable business idea in Odisha. These ayurvedic products are increasingly gaining popularity with health-conscious consumers to treat illness and health conditions. As an entrepreneur of ayurvedic herbal products, collaborating with practitioners and getting quality certifications can enhance credibility and marketability and establish the business. The business in herbal products could include herbal medicine manufacturing, ayurvedic product development, spice and essential oil extraction, herbal tea and coffee, sourcing of herbs, online marketing, and e-commerce platforms.

6. Education and Skill Development

Odisha has a growing population that needs quality education and skill development initiatives. To improve employability for various industries, starting an educational and skill development institute, school, coaching center, or vocational training institute can be a profitable business idea in Odisha. One can impart vocational training for several industries, education for underprivileged children, skill development programs for women and youth, and online education platforms. This business aligns with the government’s initiatives to improve education and skill sets required to enhance the state's economy.

7. Water Sports and Adventure Tourism

Odisha offers immense opportunities in water sports and adventure tourism because of its vast coastline. A startup business idea in Odisha in this sector can provide unique experiences for tourists and employment opportunities for locals. As an entrepreneur, one can offer eco-friendly adventure tourism packages that combine sports equipment rental and training centers, eco-lodges and resorts, marine water sports, and adventure tour operators. The success of the venture lies in making exciting packages for customers for a thrilling activity with cultural experiences and responsible tourism practices.

8. Smart farming solutions

Though Odisha is moving towards industrialisation and service-based sectors, agriculture remains the state's main economy. Smart and innovative farming solutions for the state's agriculture sector can improve productivity and sustainability. A start-up business idea in Odisha on innovative farming solutions can empower farmers with data-driven insights. With IoT-based devices and precision farming techniques that require high technical knowledge, these ventures can greatly benefit farming in the state.

9. Cultural experiences for tourists

The rich cultural heritage of the state can be showcased by creating an immersive cultural experience for tourists. Starting an enterprise in cultural experience for tourists can be a small business idea in Odisha that can enhance tourism in the state, thereby contributing to the economic landscape of Odisha. Entrepreneurs can collaborate with local artists, cultural centers, museums, and artisan communities to curate guided temple tours, traditional Oria cuisine, handicraft workshops, tribal village visits, classical Odia dance and music performances, and festival tourism around Rath Yatra.

10. Eco-Friendly Packaging Solutions

Eco-friendly packaging solutions can enhance the environment of the state and attract eco-conscious consumers creating a sustainable ecosystem. Starting a business focused on eco-friendly packaging material can be a profitable business idea in Odisha as it aligns with the increasing need for sustainable packaging options. As a business owner, one can promote packaging materials like bamboo-based products as boxes and crates, leaf-based packaging solutions, biodegradable plastics, paper-based packaging, and reusable containers. This initiative will help with environmental conservation and provide several local people livelihoods.

11. Home-Based Catering Services

If one has a passion for cooking, then Odia cuisine, with its delectable fusion recipes, can be another start-up business idea in Odisha Serving authentic Odia food as an entrepreneur, one can target several customers in the way of parties, gatherings, corporate meetings, food festivals, online food delivery platforms, local restaurants, and cafes, etc. Using local fresh ingredients for the food to demonstrate the rich culinary heritage of Odisha shall be appealing to customers looking for authentic and flavourful Oriya cuisine.

12. Jute-based eco-friendly products

Jute being a versatile fiber it can be made into several utility items. Odisha has an abundance of jute cultivation, primarily around the coastal plains of Balasore, Cuttack, and Puri districts. One can leverage this industry for a manufacturing business idea in Odisha. The investment is minimal in this business but highly profitable. Eco-friendly products with jute, like rugs, mats, hats, tables, bags, packaging materials, textiles and fabrics, composites for building materials, jute-based paper and cardboard boxes, and many more can be prepapred. The products are in demand nationally and internationally. It attracts environmentally conscious customers and supports the local jute industry.

13. Community-based Enterprises

Community-based enterprises can empower local communities to grow inclusively and sustainably and drive business growth in Odisha. One can work as a community-based entrepreneur to create income opportunities, and that is a social service to the community, a promising startup business idea in Odisha. As an entrepreneur, one can promote ingenious skills, organic farming and agriproducts, community-based fisheries and aquaculture, women empowerment, and rural development to create socio-economic opportunities for the local communities at the grassroots level.

14. Food Delivery

Food delivery business is growing in the state with increasing professionals and students. The market demand is high, and a food distribution business can be a good start-up business idea in Odisha. It is a low-investment yet profitable venture. One can also collaborate with other restaurants and cafes to expand the business. Developing an app for online meal delivery services will ensure effective marketing of the brand. Prompt and quality food and smooth payment services shall earn great profits in this business. In this business ,offering diverse meal options catering to regional tastes and dietary preferences can help attract a broader customer base. 

15. Exporting Cashew Nuts

Odisha cultivates cashews in various parts of the state, especially in places like Puri, Ganjam, Koraput, and Khurda, where the quality is high. The demand for cashews is always increasing, which can be an ideal start-up business idea for an entrepreneur in Odisha. To start a cashew farm or trade and export cashews nationwide one needs to focus on marketing and promotion online and come up with innovative ideas for packaging and storing cashews that have good demand throughout the year.

Conclusion

This blog provides comprehensive insights into small business opportunities in Odisha. Conducting thorough research to understand the preferences of the target market, engaging with the local community to assess their needs, and refining skills are essential steps to establish a successful venture. A unique selling proposition shall help attract customers to the brand. A business plan outlining the goals, strategies and financial projections shall build a successful business in Odisha.

FAQs

Ans. If you want to start a small business in Odisha, you can make jute bags, which is one of the top business ideas in the state.

Ans. All the raw materials used to make jute bags, especially jute fabric, printing gum, nylon thread, dyes, chemicals and auxiliaries, handles, PVC buckles, labels, and materials, are readily available.

Ans. The Government of Odisha has identified textiles, technical textiles, and apparel as the key thrust sectors for economic development.

Ans. Some of the best-selling products in Odisha are pottery, terracotta, horn-work, and textile-based handicrafts.