Tech service business ideas you can start for up to C$20,000
37 ideas
These 37 ideas suit people who have a technical skill, or are willing to build one, and want to sell it to local businesses without a big upfront bill. Some are hands-on, like a small office network installer or a café and restaurant POS setup specialist.
Event AV hire: speakers, screens and mics
Rent sound systems, projectors and microphones to local events, meetings and parties, with delivery and setup.
- C$4k-20k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
AV supply and install for offices and venues
Sell and set up displays, speakers and meeting room AV for small businesses, schools and venues.
- C$3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Online fibre optic supplies shop for installers
Sell fibre cable, connectors and installer tools online to network contractors, shipped from a small home stock or by your supplier.
- C$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
Home-based video camera repair bench
Repair and service camcorders and cinema cameras for local filmmakers and owners from a home workshop, with mail-in jobs.
- C$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- From home
Managed database design and support service
Design, host and look after databases for local firms on a monthly support plan.
- C$1.5k-8k
- Part-time
- From home
Mobile home and small business security installer
Supply and fit cameras, alarms and smart door systems at homes and small businesses in your area.
- C$2.5k-12k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Local card terminal supply and setup service
Supply, set up and support card terminals for restaurants, shops and mobile traders in your area.
- C$2k-10k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Event and market card terminal rental
Rent portable card terminals to market vendors, festivals and pop-up sellers who only need payments for a day or a season.
- C$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home camera and lens repair bench
Fix and service cameras and lenses from a home workbench, taking jobs locally and by mail.
- C$1.5k-7k
- Side hustle
- From home
Freelance PLC and controls programmer
Program and fix control systems for factories and plants, working from home with visits to site for start-up.
- C$3k-12k
- Part-time
- From home
Home-based data recovery (mail-in and local)
Recover files from failed drives, memory cards and phones using software tools, working from a home workspace.
- C$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- From home
Small office network installer
Design, cable and look after wired and wireless networks for local offices, clinics and shops.
- C$2k-10k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Security camera installer for homes and shops
Install and set up CCTV cameras at homes and small businesses, then offer simple maintenance.
- C$2k-8k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Mobile photocopier repair and service contracts
Fix and maintain copiers and printers at local offices, and build a base of yearly service contracts.
- C$3k-12k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Online store management and ads agency
Run online shops and their ads for retailers on a monthly retainer.
- C$1.5k-8k
- Part-time
- Online
On-site AV repair for venues and businesses
Visit venues, schools and offices to fix projectors, PA systems and conference gear where it is installed.
- C$2.5k-10k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Home-based ink refills with office delivery
Refill and supply ink and toner from home, then deliver to small offices and households nearby.
- C$1.5k-7k
- Side hustle
- From home
Walk-in fax and document counter
Run a small counter where people walk in to send and receive faxes, with scanning and copying to go with them.
- C$5k-20k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Managed hosting on your own cloud servers
Run hosting on rented cloud servers, with security, backups and support for a niche of Canadian customers.
- C$1.5k-6k
- Part-time
- From home
Meeting room video setup for small businesses
Set up cameras, mics and screens in small offices so video calls just work.
- C$3k-12k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Hybrid event and webinar tech operator
Bring cameras, mics and a laptop to run the video side of meetings and events.
- C$4k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Microscope and telescope repair workshop
Repair, clean and realign microscopes, telescopes and binoculars from a home workshop, with local drop-off and mail-in jobs.
- C$2k-9k
- Side hustle
- From home
On-site microscope servicing for schools and labs
Visit schools, colleges, clinics and labs to service and calibrate their microscopes and optical instruments on a regular schedule.
- C$3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Meeting room video kit supplier and installer
Supply and fit screens, cameras and speakers in small offices and meeting rooms.
- C$3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
About these ideas
Others are more specialised, such as drone mapping and site survey work. Before you pick one, think about who your first five customers would be and how you would reach them. Check what training, certification, insurance or licences the work might require in your province, and whether equipment, software and vehicle costs fit your budget. Many of these ideas rely on repeat contracts, so consider how you would handle support calls and after-hours issues.
More ideas
- Online telecom and network equipment reseller
- Office cabling and network installer
- Drone mapping and site survey service
- Office and meeting room AV consultant
- Online ads agency for e-commerce brands
- Local fleet GPS tracking reseller
- Online print parts and supplies shop
- Café and restaurant POS setup specialist
- On-site video gear repair for studios
- Mobile TV repair technician
- Mobile printer and copier repair
- Aerial photo and video for real estate and local business
- Drone roof inspection and site mapping
Questions
What should I check before starting a tech service business in Canada?
Check whether your province or municipality requires a business licence, what insurance your work might need, and whether any trade or technical certifications apply. Also confirm how you would handle customer data and which tax registrations, such as GST/HST, could apply to you.
Can I start a tech service business with C$20,000 or less?
Many service-based ideas keep costs low because you sell time and expertise rather than stock. Work out what tools, software licences, insurance, a vehicle and early marketing would cost, then compare that with your budget and keep a cushion for slow months.
How do I find my first customers for a tech service business?
Start with businesses you already know, such as cafés, offices, retailers and property managers. Consider local business groups, referrals from suppliers, and a simple website showing your services and service area. Check whether your chosen idea involves reseller agreements or partner terms first.