Stage 3
Build an asset
Software, content sites and channels, digital products, newsletters, marketplaces, or buying a small business. Slower to start and less certain, but the upside is not capped by your time.
Business ideas for this stage
| Business idea | Category | Videos | Sources | Save |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TinyWow-style single-purpose tools Build a suite of single-purpose web tools (PDF, image, converters) monetized via ads and premium tiers. | SaaS & Software | 11 videos · 114 channels | 4 channelsThe Koerner Office, Starter Story, Greg Isenberg, My First Million | |
| Web scraping API SaaS Sell a scraping API that handles proxies, browsers, and parsing for B2B customers, billed per request. | SaaS & Software | 11 videos · 115 channels | 5 channelsThe Koerner Office, Starter Story, Greg Isenberg, My First Million, MicroConf | |
| White-label SaaS resale Resell a white-label SaaS (CRM, marketing, scheduling) under your own brand to SMBs on monthly markup. | SaaS & Software | 11 videos · 113 channels | 3 channelsThe Koerner Office, Greg Isenberg, My First Million | |
| Agency roll-up holding company Acquire multiple small creative or marketing agencies and run them under one holding company for shared ops and exits. | Buying Businesses | 10 videos · 105 channels | 5 channelsThe Koerner Office, Starter Story, Greg Isenberg, My First Million, Acquiring Minds | |
| AI body-double / virtual try-on app Mobile app that generates AI images of the user in different outfits, hairstyles, or scenes for shoppers and creators, monetized via… | SaaS & Software | 10 videos · 102 channels | 2 channelsThe Koerner Office, My First Million | |
| AI LinkedIn writer / ghostwriter Build an AI tool that drafts LinkedIn posts in the user's voice, or run an agency that ghostwrites for execs. | AI & Automation | 10 videos · 103 channels | 3 channelsStarter Story, Greg Isenberg, My First Million | |
| App cloning / clone-and-launch service Build a local-market or replication-cloned version of a proven app (Polymarket, Reputation.com, HN) and monetize via the same model. | SaaS & Software | 10 videos · 104 channels | 4 channelsThe Koerner Office, Starter Story, Greg Isenberg, My First Million | |
| Audio-guided fitness app Build a fitness app where workouts, runs, or yoga are guided by audio personalities, monetized via freemium subscription. | SaaS & Software | 10 videos · 104 channels | 4 channelsThe Koerner Office, Starter Story, My First Million, Side Hustle School | |
| B2B bookkeeping / accounting SaaS Build a SaaS that automates bookkeeping, reconciliation, or month-end close for SMBs and accountants. | SaaS & Software | 10 videos · 104 channels | 4 channelsThe Koerner Office, Starter Story, Greg Isenberg, My First Million | |
| B2B integration / middleware tool Build a SaaS that integrates two specific business systems (CRM + accounting, EHR + billing) with one-click setup. | SaaS & Software | 10 videos · 104 channels | 4 channelsThe Koerner Office, Starter Story, Greg Isenberg, My First Million | |
| Local media company Run a local newspaper, site, or podcast covering a city or region, monetized via ads and events. | Content & Media | 10 videos · 104 channels | 4 channelsThe Koerner Office, My First Million, Side Hustle School, Indie Hackers | |
| Male grooming DTC brand Launch a male grooming or personal-care brand sold direct-to-consumer via subscription or one-off purchase. | Ecommerce & Products | 10 videos · 103 channels | 3 channelsMy First Million, Noah Kagan, Side Hustle School | |
| Podcast empire / network Run multiple podcasts across niches or a single vertical, monetized via ads, memberships, and events. | Content & Media | 10 videos · 104 channels | 4 channelsStarter Story, Greg Isenberg, My First Million, Indie Hackers | |
| Prediction market platform Build a prediction market where users trade on outcomes of events, monetized via trading fees and liquidity spread. | Marketplaces & Communities | 10 videos · 103 channels | 3 channelsThe Koerner Office, Greg Isenberg, My First Million | |
| RV rental business Rent RVs to travelers via a peer-to-peer marketplace or your own fleet, monetized via nightly fees and insurance margin. | Other | 10 videos · 104 channels | 4 channelsThe Koerner Office, My First Million, Noah Kagan, Side Hustle School | |
| Short-form video app Build a short-form video app focused on a niche (recipes, sports, learning) monetized via ads and tips. | SaaS & Software | 10 videos · 104 channels | 4 channelsThe Koerner Office, Starter Story, Greg Isenberg, My First Million | |
| Theme park / attraction business Build and operate a small theme park, trampoline park, or attraction, monetized via ticket sales and F&B. | Local Services | 10 videos · 102 channels | 2 channelsThe Koerner Office, My First Million | |
| Trivia GPT / quiz app Build a trivia or quiz app powered by an LLM, monetized via ads, subscription, or per-game credits. | SaaS & Software | 10 videos · 104 channels | 4 channelsThe Koerner Office, Starter Story, Greg Isenberg, My First Million | |
| Viral app cloning service Identify trending apps or products, ship a faster or cheaper clone, and capture search and demand. | SaaS & Software | 10 videos · 102 channels | 2 channelsStarter Story, My First Million | |
| AI lead enrichment agent Build an AI agent that enriches B2B leads (firmographics, contacts, intent) for sales teams, billed per enrichment. | AI & Automation | 9 videos · 93 channels | 3 channelsThe Koerner Office, Starter Story, Greg Isenberg | |
| AI short-form video generator Build a SaaS that uses AI to turn text or long-form video into short-form clips for TikTok and Reels. | AI & Automation | 9 videos · 95 channels | 5 channelsThe Koerner Office, Starter Story, Greg Isenberg, My First Million, Pat Flynn | |
| Character / IP-led ecommerce brand Build an ecommerce brand around a character, mascot, or owned IP, monetized via product sales and licensing. | Ecommerce & Products | 9 videos · 93 channels | 3 channelsGreg Isenberg, My First Million, Side Hustle School | |
| Data-as-a-service startup Build a startup that collects and sells proprietary data via API or dashboard, monetized via subscription or per-call. | SaaS & Software | 9 videos · 95 channels | 5 channelsThe Koerner Office, Greg Isenberg, My First Million, Side Hustle School, Indie Hackers | |
| DTC pet brand Launch a DTC pet brand (food, supplements, toys, accessories) sold online with subscription options. | Ecommerce & Products | 9 videos · 92 channels | 2 channelsMy First Million, Side Hustle School | |
| Fitness influencer media brand Build a fitness media brand around a trainer or influencer, monetized via ads, merch, and supplements. | Content & Media | 9 videos · 92 channels | 2 channelsMy First Million, Side Hustle School | |
| Local-themed art prints and merchandise An artist designs and sells prints, illustrations, and merchandise inspired by a specific city or neighborhood, sold online and at local… | Ecommerce & Products | 9 videos · 91 channels | 1 channelSide Hustle School | |
| AI bookkeeping for SMBs Run an AI-first bookkeeping service for small businesses that uses LLMs to categorize transactions, reconcile bank feeds, and prep monthly… | AI & Automation | 8 videos · 83 channels | 3 channelsThe Koerner Office, Greg Isenberg, My First Million | |
| Athlete brand licensing License an athlete's name and likeness for products, endorsements, and content, monetized via royalty split. | Other | 8 videos · 82 channels | 2 channelsMy First Million, Side Hustle School | |
| Craigslist / marketplace scraping tool Build a SaaS that scrapes Craigslist and similar marketplaces for arbitrage opportunities, sold per export. | SaaS & Software | 8 videos · 83 channels | 3 channelsThe Koerner Office, Greg Isenberg, My First Million | |
| Digital detox / phone-free community Build a community, retreat, or product line focused on reducing screen time, monetized via membership or product sales. | Marketplaces & Communities | 8 videos · 82 channels | 2 channelsThe Koerner Office, Greg Isenberg |