Main points
- Experts recommend 10 business ideas for 2026, including Military and Defense tech, substitution of Russian-made goods, car washes, etc.
- The main emphasis in the above business projects is on small formats and relatively small initial investments.
TOP 10 business ideas in 2026 / Depositphotos
During the war, some temporarily or permanently stopped their businesses, while others, having been forced to relocate, are adapting their businesses to new challenges. In 2026, some trends will change, so those who want to start their own business need to pay attention to them.
- 1 Business Idea #1 – Military and Defense tech – drones and much more
- 2 Business idea #2 – Substitution of Russian-made goods
- 3 Business idea #3 – Car wash
- 4 Business idea #4 – Solar power plants
- 5 Business Idea #5 – Bakery
- 6 Business idea #6 – Electric car charging station network
- 7 Business Idea #7 – Coffee on Wheels
- 8 Business idea #8 – Flower business
- 9 Business idea #9 – Greenhouse business
- 10 Business Idea #10 – Chicken Egg Business
What business to open in 2026?
Experts have collected 10 ideas for businesses in various industries that are worth starting, writes 24 Channel with reference to InVenture.
Business idea #1 – Military and Defense tech – drones and much more
There are already over 100 manufacturers of drones for various purposes in Ukraine. At the same time, the demand for robotics remains high, as before, and the sector continues to grow rapidly. After all, thanks to developments in the field of Defence Tech, the military will be able to solve many urgent tasks:
- reconnaissance and navigation;
- destruction of the enemy;
- demining of territories;
- protection and security of one's positions and facilities;
- supply and logistics.
Business idea #2 – Substitution of Russian-made goods
Until 2022, Russian companies supplied metal products, wires, plastic parts, and some types of food. In 2022, demand for Russian goods fell sharply across the country and is unlikely to recover.
Ideas for small businesses in 2026 should concern these products. Domestic entrepreneurs will occupy the vacated niches. In addition, the transition from Russian software, for example, 1C, is relevant, which creates demand for Ukrainian IT products.
Business idea #3 – Car wash
The number of cars on the streets is increasing every year. Accordingly, the car wash as a business receives more and more customers every year.
These can be services for cleaning dirt from car parts, dry cleaning and interior cleaning, engine washing and body polishing, etc. With proper planning, this business will bring you a good profit in a fairly short period of time.
Business idea #4 – Solar power plants
At the beginning of 2022, Ukraine was confidently among the world's TOP-3 in terms of solar generation growth rates.
However, it is difficult to answer how profitable the solar business in Ukraine will be depending on the timing of the launch of the solar power plant. On the one hand, earlier installation gives an advantage in terms of “green tariff” prices. On the other hand, there is a possibility that the rate of growth in the efficiency of new generations of panels (while simultaneously reducing their cost) will make purchasing a station, for example, in 5 years more profitable than today.
Business idea #5 – Bakery
Mini-bakeries are a trendy business. Such interest is caused by several factors at once: high and stable demand for manufactured products, high profitability, and relatively low opening costs.
We can highlight the main trend in the bakery market: special bread, which is often positioned as a “healthy product”, is in increasing demand.
Business idea #6 – Electric car charging station network
The world is rapidly moving towards the transition to electric transport – after the war, the business at electric gas stations in Ukraine will skyrocket. Therefore, not only gas station chains are installing charging stations for electric vehicles, but more and more hotel and restaurant chains are following a similar path.
Business idea #7 – Coffee on wheels
Mobile coffee shops are in great demand. Coffee on wheels are installed on central streets, in large shopping centers and in city markets. All these places have high traffic.
Experienced owners of mobile coffee shops warn: you shouldn't count on profit in the first six months of operation. It takes time for customers to notice your coffee shops, “taste” the coffee, and become regular customers.
Business idea #8 – Flower business
Flower business is a promising direction for your own business in the Ukrainian market. Flowers have always been bought, are bought and will be bought. Flower business allows you to receive a stable profit throughout the year.
However, for profitability, your flower business must be properly organized. Flowers can be sold in various ways, but you always need to be guided by market prices and remember that flowers need to be sold as quickly as possible. You can organize sales through: a flower salon, wholesale sales, an online flower shop and vending machines.
Business idea #9 – Greenhouse business
Growing vegetables and herbs on small mini-agro-farms is steadily gaining momentum. Despite the war and the economic and energy crises it caused, the greenhouse business remains trendy and the demand for high-quality organic products will only grow.
Income is directly affected by several important factors: the region (in some regions it is quite possible to get up to four harvests per year, and in others – no more than two), the distance of the farm from the city (which directly affects transportation costs), sales channels, etc. The most realistic payback period for a greenhouse business is two to three years.
Business idea #10 – Business on chicken eggs
A chicken egg business can be implemented in two formats – closing the entire process on yourself (from raising chickens to selling eggs), or selling chicken eggs from other farms. You can raise laying hens that will provide you with eggs in any settlement that is ideally suited for this purpose.
Starting a new business means constant movement, multiple tasks and continuous communication. That is why it is so important that the car in which you spend a significant part of your working day promotes productivity. Understanding this, the Škoda Octavia offers modern driving assistants, an increased level of protection, a modern multimedia system, wireless phone connection and a number of other options that expand the usual capabilities of the C-class. This car provides confidence both on the road and in business processes.
What is the biggest obstacle to doing business in Ukraine?
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The main obstacles to doing business in Ukraine include labor shortages (59%), job insecurity (49%), and rising raw material prices (47%).
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Power, water, and heating outages became a significant problem for 19% of businesses in October, leading to lost working hours, especially in Dnipropetrovsk and Zhytomyr regions (18%).