The youth of 2020 boast certain traits and skills which they should be using to their advantage, including their energy, health and modern, digital acumen and abilities. For youth seeking ideas to launch businesses during the current COVID-19 pandemic, we suggest searching industries with the most disruption. These sectors include retail, hospitality & restaurants, entertainment, health and fitness. 

In addition to the many business ideas which are available as a result of the pandemic, there are also many opportunities if you’re someone who can deliver, connect and teach. 

In this piece, we’ll explore ten unique ideas which young entrepreneurs could jump on in response to the pandemic and the opportunities which have made themselves available.

1. Sanitation and personal protective products. 

Perhaps the most obvious idea, young entrepreneurs could consider the manufacturing and distribution of the following COVID-19 related products:

• Face Masks

• Hand sanitisers

• Alcohol-based cleaning disinfectants

  
  

Moreover, you could also investigate the possible services related to: 

• Fumigating and alcohol-based disinfecting of homes, offices and schools.

  
  

2. Delivery and food services. 

Another sector which since the alleviation of certain lockdown restrictions have presented business opportunities: 

• Food deliveries – Mobile spaza shops, personal shoppers and delivery services.

• Micro-jobbing – getting paid to do chores for others – e.g. run errands, wait in queues. 

• Mobile laundry services – including pickup, washing, ironing and delivery.

• Medical collections and chronic medication delivery.

• Mobile cleaning business (for sneakers, cars and dustbins). 

  
  

3. Digital and online services. 

Often hailed as digital natives, the youth of today already come with specific digital skills which are required to launch online businesses. Young entrepreneurs could also explore helping offline companies in their migration from offline to online services to continue weathering the coronavirus storm: 

• Digital media services, including website development & maintenance, and implementing e-commerce functionalities for existing business websites which lack them.

  
  

• Digital marketing, which includes, social media management, SEO (search engine optimisation), podcasts and copywriting. 

  
  

• Blogging and influencer services, you could use your audience to become a brand ambassador to help endorse brands or implement campaigns to targeted audiences. 

  
  

• Virtual or digital services are becoming more common due to the pandemic. Young people could provide administrative support to small and large businesses virtually.

  
  

• App-based companies, including fitness, networking and on-demand delivery, the ideas are almost countless. 

  
  

• Skills and coaching, the youth of SA could opt to teach others necessary digital skills, including growing Instagram followers, online branding or even as basic a service as compiling digital CVs. 

  
  

• Peer-to-peer tutoring which can be done via Whatsapp, Skype, Zoom or any other online meeting-room setting. 

  
  

• Digital personal training, which can also be implemented via video conferencing platforms. 

  
  

• Digital marketplaces, the opportunities are almost endless, young entrepreneurs could offer anything from second-hand clothing, appliances, beauty products and more. 

  
  

Conclusion:

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a tough time for many people, but at the same time, it has presented a “new normal” in which many business opportunities have sprung forth from. Whichever business idea you opt for, be sure to take the time to draw up a business plan, financial forecast as well as research the legality of your potential business.