Odisha is the tenth-largest Indian state located in the country’s peninsular region. The state has Madhya Pradesh on the western frontier and Andhra Pradesh in the south, with a 450 km coastline connecting it to the Bay of Bengal. Odisha is known for its rich history of bravery, courage, and lavish lifestyles and is known today for some of India’s most intricate pieces of architecture. Tourist spots like Konark Temple, Shri Jagannath Temple, and Lingaraj Temple are the main attractions in the state. The state, also called the Land of God, is home to culturally and economically important cities like Bhubaneshwar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Puri, and many more. Apart from tourism, Odisha also has a booming business side. The state offers many choices for entrepreneurs to settle their businesses. Let us talk about what Odisha has to offer to businesspersons and what the best business ideas in Odisha for new entrepreneurs.
Key Insights of Odisha
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| Capital | Bhubaneswar |
| State Rank | 8th in India |
| Official Languages | Odia |
| Total Population | 41,974,218 |
| Odisha GDP | US$73 billion |
| Official Website | https://odisha.gov.in/ |
Why Choose Odisha to Start a Business?
- Investor Friendly: Odisha has always been a top investment contender for Indian and foreign investors. The state ranks high in indices like Ease of Doing Business, Ease of Import-Export, and Ease of Closing Business.
- Industrial Hub: Odisha has earned its name as an industrial and outsourcing hub providing different facilities to people around the country. The major industrial setup in the state is related to Food Processing, Textiles, Chemicals, Petrochemicals, and Information & Technology.
- Connectivity: Odisha is well connected to the rest of India and the world through air, land, and water transport. The state has direct flights to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Vishakhapatnam, Kolkata, Chennai, etc. The state also has a repository of major ports – Paradeep, Dhamra, and Gopalpur- to facilitate trade and connectivity.
- Workforce: Odisha is known for outsourcing facilities to major IT firms. The state has earned its name by providing services to giants like Infosys, TCS, Wipro, Tech-Mahindra, Mindtree, etc. Odisha produces more than 1.2 lakh skilled workers yearly from more than 700 training institutions. The state also has the biggest educational names like IIT, AIIMS, & IIM situated inside its borderlines.
- Future Ready: Odisha has seen immense growth in the past few years due to intervention by both the state and central governments. The state’s two cities – Bhubaneshwar and Rourkela, have been selected for the Smart Cities program. They are poised to gather higher investments and more returns for the former Kalinga region.
List of 14 Best Business Ideas In Odisha
1. Tourism Industry
Right off the bat, tourism is one of the biggest contributors to Odisha’s economy. The state saw a footfall of both Indian and foreign nationals who visited Odisha for its incredible collection of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves, temples, and beaches. The state government has brought several initiatives to upscale the tourism industry in Odisha. You can enter this industry through any channel – restaurants, hotels, tour agencies, local transportation, etc. and create a successful business.
2. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is booming across the country, but it deserves a special mention among the best business ideas in Odisha due to its growing popularity and industry size. This $12 billion industry involves marketers earning commissions by promoting online retailers’ products. Its flexibility, high earning potential, and relatively low competition make affiliate marketing an excellent business opportunity in Odisha.
3. Jute Industry
Jute, known as the golden fiber, is widely cultivated in Odisha, covering over 4,800 hectares in 2020. With the growing demand for eco-friendly products, the jute industry offers excellent opportunities. You can explore manufacturing business ideas in Odisha by starting a plant to process raw jute into products like bags, mats, and purses. Jute trading is also a profitable business in which you can act as the intermediary between retailers and manufacturers.
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4. Educational Institutions
Odisha’s government has been pursuing the target of equal education for all. You can venture into the educational industry by building schools, colleges, or training institutions in some of the lesser developed parts of the state and use the changed citizen perception towards education to your advantage.
5. Solar Power
Odisha is situated in the Deccan region of India. This region is historically known to receive abundant sunlight throughout the year. This geographical advantage gives you the edge in creating a solar power business in Odisha. You can venture through any channel – manufacturing solar panels, batteries, and other elements, promoting solar power usage throughout the state, setting up international franchisees, and government partnerships to facilitate building solar parks.
Business Ideas for Other States:
6. Handicrafts
Odisha’s rich heritage shines through its traditional jewelry, Terracotta Pottery, Tribal Jewellery, Brass and Bell Metal products, Applique Art, and more. For those exploring small business ideas in Odisha, the handicrafts industry is a great opportunity. You can set up a manufacturing plant with local artisans or trade these exquisite artworks across the country, combining cultural preservation with business success.
7. Cashew Nuts
Cashew is one of the major crops grown in different parts of Odisha. Places like Khurda, Puri, Jajpur, Ganjam, and Koraput are famous for producing high-grade cashew nuts. The total area under cashew cultivation amounts to more than 1.8 lakh hectares. Since the demand and price for cashew nuts are always rising, it is a good business to be in. An entrepreneur can start a cashew farm or become a trader to earn profits through commission and margins.
8. Waste Management
Since Odisha has ecological importance due to its wide coastline, state and central government are accumulating waste around the beaches and inside the developing cities. Waste management plants are becoming an increasingly profitable business venture in which you can recycle biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials to produce newer products. Odisha produces more than 1,900 tonnes of waste daily, 52% organic: and the rest amounts to inorganic waste.
9. Franchise
Due to the lower risk involved compared to launching a brand-new company from scratch, investing in a franchise in Odisha might be a great option to become a business owner. When you buy a franchise, you gain access to a well-known brand name, which can be helpful for marketing and attracting customers.
To launch your business, you’ll need to use enough funding and choose suitable places. You can invest in various types of franchises like apparel-based, food-based, electronics items, etc.
10. Food Delivery Service
Odisha’s food delivery business is expanding quickly as a result of an increase in convenience demand, particularly among young professionals and students.
Hence, launching a food delivery service is an excellent business idea because Odisha offers a sizable prospective consumer base. This is a low-cost business venture which you can start by either developing your own application or collaborating with other well-known players in the market.
11. Hotels and Restaurants
As eco-tourism, adventure tourism, and beach tourism become more and more popular in the state, there is an increasing need for hotels and restaurants that can meet tourist demands.
The state of Odisha is renowned for its rich culinary tradition, therefore opening restaurants there may be a chance to promote regional food to the world.
Therefore, opening a hotel or a restaurant is a lucrative business opportunity.
12. Candle Making
Starting a candle-making business in Odisha is a promising venture, as products like scented, designer, and decorative candles are highly popular among consumers.
This business is flexible and convenient since it can be run from home with minimal upfront investment, making it one of the best new business ideas in Odisha for entrepreneurs looking for a low-cost yet profitable opportunity.
13. Creating a Blog
If you’re passionate about writing, photography, or video content creation, blogging can be a rewarding business idea in Odisha with low investment. With the rising demand for online content, many businesses seek skilled bloggers to create engaging and educational material.
You can also focus on Odisha’s rich history, culture, and language, offering your blog as a resource for education and exploration. By sharing fascinating and informative content, you’ll attract readers eager to learn about the state while building a low-cost, impactful business.
14. Seafood Export Business
Starting a seafood export business in Odisha is a smart move, given its rich fishing industry and coastal resources. Focus on popular items like prawns, crabs, and fish to cater to local and global markets. To succeed, maintain top quality and explore organic or sustainable certifications to meet worldwide customer demands. It’s one of the most promising business ideas in Odisha.
In addition to this, we would also recommend you check our latest blog featuring new business ideas in Village that are profitable yet easy to start. Do check it out.
Conclusion
Odisha is paving the way for the next generation of entrepreneurs. With its growing economy and a mix of private and public ventures, the state offers endless possibilities. Now is your chance to make a mark by exploring unique business ideas in Odisha that suit your interests and goals.
Research the best opportunities, find your niche, and let’s work together to turn your vision into reality.
FAQs
What business should I start in Odisha?
There are several businesses that you can start in Odisha like affiliate marketing, travel and tourism, jute business, educational institutions, solar power, handicrafts, waste management, food delivery, owning a franchise, etc.
Which is the No 1 business in Odisha?
Jute bag making is one of the top business ideas in Odisha if you want to start a small business.
What are the best-selling products in Odisha?
Pottery, terracotta, horn-work, and textile-based handicrafts are some of the best-selling products in Odisha.
Which business is profitable in Odisha?
Profitable businesses in Odisha include handloom, food processing, tourism, renewable energy, IT services, agriculture, real estate, education, healthcare, and eco-friendly products.
