Small Business Ideas In Nepal | Profitable Ways To Start

You are ready to earn more, but not ready to risk everything. You want a small, reliable business that fits your skills, budget, and Nepali market reality. Let’s get you moving today with clear choices, real costs, and a 14‑day action plan. No fluff. Only what works in Nepal.

Best small business ideas in Nepal you can start under 2 lakhs

These ideas are proven in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal, Chitwan, Biratnagar, Birgunj, Dharan, Hetauda, and growing towns. Numbers are estimates to guide you.

1) Tiffin and meal subscription

Startup: NPR 50,000 to 150,000 for utensils, packaging, initial supplies.
Earning: NPR 60,000 to 150,000 monthly net with 25 to 60 regular subscribers.
Why it works: Office staff, students, hostels want homely, hygienic food. Works from home kitchen.
How to sell: WhatsApp list, Facebook groups, Google Business profile, Pathao Food/Bhoj deals if eligible.

2) Tea, momo, and snack cart

Startup: NPR 80,000 to 180,000 for cart, gas, utensils, permits.
Earning: NPR 3,000 to 8,000 daily profit at busy chowks, colleges, offices.
Why it works: High footfall, low price, daily repeat buyers.
Tips: Keep a short menu, fast service, clean seating, mobile wallet QR.

3) Cloud kitchen for niche foods

Startup: NPR 120,000 to 250,000.
Earning: NPR 80,000 to 200,000 monthly net once you hit 25 to 40 orders per day.
Niches: Momo only, Newari khaja, vegan bowls, burgers, thakali meal, cakes, snacks.
Sell via: Foodmandu, Bhoj, Pathao Food, Instagram DMs, WhatsApp ordering.

4) Hyperlocal grocery on WhatsApp

Startup: NPR 60,000 to 150,000 for initial stock and delivery bags.
Earning: NPR 40,000 to 120,000 monthly net with 8 to 15 percent margin and delivery fee.
Why it works: Families want quick delivery within ward in 30 to 60 minutes.

5) Water jar distribution

Startup: NPR 80,000 to 200,000 for bike rack, jars, dispenser stock.
Earning: NPR 50,000 to 120,000 monthly net with 60 to 120 jars daily.
Tip: Keep deposit system and route scheduling.

6) Mobile repair and accessories

Startup: NPR 100,000 to 250,000 for tools and parts.
Earning: NPR 60,000 to 180,000 monthly net plus accessory sales.
Why it works: High smartphone usage, repeat service, solid margins.

7) Photocopy, print and lamination corner

Startup: NPR 150,000 to 350,000.
Earning: NPR 50,000 to 140,000 monthly net near schools, colleges, wards.
Add-ons: Form filling, online applications, ID photos.

8) Home beauty parlor

Startup: NPR 80,000 to 200,000.
Earning: NPR 60,000 to 180,000 monthly net with packages and home service.
Tip: Promote on local groups, maintain hygiene and reviews.

9) Tailoring and alterations

Startup: NPR 60,000 to 180,000.
Earning: NPR 40,000 to 120,000 monthly net. More during festivals and wedding seasons.
Specialize: School uniforms, ethnic wear, office alterations.

10) Home tuition and skill coaching

Startup: NPR 10,000 to 40,000.
Earning: NPR 30,000 to 100,000 monthly net depending on batches.
Niches: Grade coaching, IELTS, music, design tools, coding basics.

11) Thrift and preloved store

Startup: NPR 40,000 to 120,000.
Earning: NPR 40,000 to 120,000 monthly net with 40 to 60 percent margins.
Sell on: Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, pop-up stalls.

12) Custom printing and gifting

Startup: NPR 120,000 to 300,000 for heat press, printer, blanks.
Earning: NPR 50,000 to 150,000 monthly net. Corporate gifting boosts orders.

13) Facebook or TikTok reselling boutique

Startup: NPR 50,000 to 150,000 for first inventory.
Earning: NPR 50,000 to 180,000 monthly net.
Tip: Live selling, COD with local courier, eSewa QR for prepayment.

14) Oyster mushroom farming

Startup: NPR 80,000 to 200,000 for shed and spawn.
Earning: NPR 40,000 to 120,000 monthly net with consistent cycles.
Why Nepal: Demand in hotels, momo houses, retail stores.

15) Beekeeping and honey products

Startup: NPR 100,000 to 250,000 for hives and training.
Earning: NPR 60,000 to 180,000 seasonal net plus value added products.

16) Small scale poultry or goat rearing

Startup: NPR 150,000 to 400,000 depending on scale.
Earning: NPR 60,000 to 200,000 monthly net at steady capacity.
Tip: Contract farming or forward agreements with local meat shops.

17) Plant nursery and landscaping

Startup: NPR 80,000 to 200,000.
Earning: NPR 40,000 to 120,000 monthly net. Higher in spring and festivals.

18) Homestay or local guide service

Startup: NPR 60,000 to 300,000 to upgrade rooms and permits.
Earning: NPR 60,000 to 200,000 monthly net depending on season.
Tip: List on Google Maps, Airbnb like portals, and partner with local travel agents.

19) Car wash and detailing

Startup: NPR 200,000 to 600,000.
Earning: NPR 80,000 to 200,000 monthly net. Add pick and drop for offices.

20) CCTV, solar, and home automation setup

Startup: NPR 150,000 to 400,000 for tools and demo units.
Earning: NPR 80,000 to 250,000 monthly net with installation and AMC.
Why it works: Security and power saving demand rising in cities and towns.

How to choose the right idea for you

Budget fit: Start where your savings cover 3 months of expenses.
Daily demand: Prioritize repeat purchase items and services.
Location edge: Be near schools, offices, bus stops, hospitals, or dense toles.
Skill match: Use what you already know to move faster and cheaper.
Speed to cash: Pick ideas that can sell within 14 days.

14 day launch plan for quick validation

Day 1 to 2: Speak to 10 to 20 target buyers. Confirm their problem, price, delivery expectations.
Day 3: Finalize offer. Example: 1 week tiffin trial at NPR 999 including delivery.
Day 4: Set up Google Business Profile, Facebook Page, Instagram, WhatsApp Business. Add eSewa and Khalti QR to posts.
Day 5: Create simple menu or product list with prices and delivery areas.
Day 6 to 7: Shoot photos and short vertical videos. Post daily on Facebook and TikTok.
Day 8: Print flyers with QR code. Distribute to 200 nearby homes and offices.
Day 9 to 10: Run a small Facebook boost to your ward or city radius with a new customer offer.
Day 11: Start delivery. Collect reviews and photos from first 10 customers.
Day 12: Partner with a local courier or Pathao/InDrive riders.
Day 13: Track costs, sales, and profit. Adjust price or bundle to hit 25 to 30 percent margin.
Day 14: Decide to continue, pivot, or switch idea based on real numbers.

Local digital growth checklist for Nepal

Use Nepali and English in pages and posts. Many search in Nepali script.
Target long tail terms like “best momo near me”, “tiffin service in Pokhara”, “phone repair in Biratnagar”.
Complete Google Business Profile with photos, menu, service list, opening hours, and WhatsApp click to chat.
Post 3 times weekly. Show real customers, behind the scenes, and offers.
Collect reviews and reply politely. Mention delivery areas and payment options.
Offer COD and wallet payments. Display eSewa and Khalti QR everywhere.
For products, list on Daraz and Facebook Marketplace. For food, partner with Foodmandu or Bhoj where available.

Costs, pricing and profit basics

Know your COGS: Ingredients or purchase price plus packaging.
Add overheads: Rent, utilities, delivery, marketing, salaries.
Set margin: Aim for 25 to 40 percent gross margin for sustainability.
Simple rule: Price around 2.5 to 3x your COGS for most items, then test.
Break even: Fixed costs divided by per unit contribution equals target daily sales.

Registration, tax and compliance in Nepal

Business registration: For micro and small, register at your Ward or Municipality. For manufacturing or larger scale, register with the Department of Cottage and Small Industries as applicable.
PAN: Obtain PAN from the Inland Revenue Department for invoicing and tax filing. VAT is needed only if you cross the threshold or deal in VAT specific categories.
Food businesses: Check local municipal health permits. For packaged food, consult the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control guidelines.
Home based: Confirm local rules for signage, customers, and safety.
Banking and payments: Open a current account. Enable eSewa, Khalti, Fonepay QR.
Financing: Explore microfinance, commercial bank SME loans, and youth entrepreneurship programs offered periodically by government and municipalities.

Marketing scripts you can use today

WhatsApp broadcast: “Namaste, we deliver fresh tiffin in your area. 1 week trial at NPR 999 with free delivery. Reply 1 for veg, 2 for non veg.”
Facebook post: “Phone broken? Quick repair in 60 minutes. Free diagnosis, 90 day warranty. eSewa accepted.”
Flyer headline: “Clean water jars delivered in 30 minutes. First delivery free. Call or WhatsApp.”

When to scale and hire

Consistent profit for 3 months.
Demand exceeding your capacity by 30 percent or more.
Clear SOPs for delivery, quality, and customer service.
Cash buffer to cover 2 to 3 months of added costs.

How Prime IT Sewa can support your launch

If you want a clean digital setup without trial and error, Prime IT Sewa is a helpful partner. We understand startup budgets and the pressure to get results fast. Our team sets up your brand, high converting website, local SEO, social media, AI automations for order taking and follow ups, and simple dashboards so you track sales daily. One stop solution for branding, marketing, systems, and scaling. If you want a smart partner who cares about growth, talk to us.

FAQs on small business ideas in Nepal

What is the best small business with the least capital?

Home tuition, thrift reselling, WhatsApp grocery, and tailoring can start under NPR 50,000 with quick cashflow.

Can I start without a shop?

Yes. Many start from home or a shared kitchen and use delivery partners. Make sure to follow local ward rules.

Is online selling profitable in Nepal?

Yes if you focus on margin and speed. Use COD plus wallet prepayments, post daily, and keep inventory light.

How do I take online payments?

Register your business, open a current account, and enable eSewa, Khalti, and Fonepay QR. Share QR in posts and at delivery.

Do I need VAT or only PAN?

PAN is standard for billing and tax. Register VAT only if you cross the turnover threshold or your category requires it. Confirm with your accountant.

Which cities work best for these ideas?

Kathmandu valley, Pokhara, Chitwan, Butwal, Dharan, Biratnagar, Birgunj, Hetauda, Nepalgunj, and fast growing municipalities.

Final takeaway

Pick one idea, set a 14 day launch goal, and validate with 20 real customers. The fastest path to profit in Nepal is small, focused, and consistent. If you need a hand, we are here.

Keyword reference: small business ideas in Nepal