Key Takeaways
You can start a real business in the Philippines with P200,000 capital by investing in high-demand, practical ventures like services, retail, or food-related concepts.
- Low-capital ideas include T-shirt printing and cosmetic reselling.
- Higher-capital options are laundry pickup, carwash, or a computer shop.
- Focus on services with stable demand like food, medicine, or deliveries.
- Consistent effort and smart scaling turn capital into long-term profit.
Many Filipino employees are starting small businesses on the side to make ends meet or earn extra income. Maybe you’ve been thinking about it, too. Yes, you might have a full-time job, but you also want to explore other viable opportunities—like starting a company.
Here’s the good news: you don’t need millions to launch one. With ₱200,000, you can already set up a real, professional-level business that can grow over time.
In this article, you’ll find practical business ideas with ₱200,000 capital in the Philippines. You’ll see how much you’ll need, what tools to prepare, and how each idea can turn into a real income stream.
Business Ideas You Can Start with ₱200,000 Capital
While no business is risk-free, having steady capital allows you to test ideas, invest in quality tools, and build something with real potential. Here are some options to get started with.
1. Pharmacy
Startup cost: Minimum of ₱100,000 (with own location and minimal renovations)
Tools needed: Shelves, counter, refrigerator (for temperature-sensitive meds), POS system, starting inventory (mostly generics)
Income potential: Daily sales of ₱5,000–₱15,000 for high-traffic locations
Medicine is always in demand. With less than ₱200,000, you can set up a micro-pharmacy or start with a generic drugstore franchise. Generic meds offer high profit margins, and you can boost income further with essential services like e-wallet top-ups and bill payments.
2. Small restaurants in commercial spaces
Startup cost: Minimum of ₱300,000
Tools needed: Commercial-grade kitchen equipment, quality furnishings, trained staff
Income potential: Strong and consistent, with margins around 20%–30% and steady demand for well-curated dining concepts
Opening a small restaurant in a prime commercial space can attract a steady flow of customers, especially when paired with a compelling concept and high-quality menu. Whether it’s a themed café, a specialty cuisine spot, or a casual dining restaurant, this venture requires significant upfront investment in location, equipment, and branding, but offers strong potential for long-term profitability.
3. Skincare or cosmetics reselling
Startup cost: ₱5,000–₱30,000
Tools needed: Beauty products for reselling, packaging, smartphone, social media accounts
Income potential: High markup potential, especially with consistent branding and customer trust
Beauty never goes out of style, and neither does demand. If you love skincare but don’t have the capital to start your line, you can resell trusted local and international brands. This business works well through e-commerce platforms and social media.
4. T-shirt printing with a heat press
Startup cost: ₱14,000–₱40,000 (for a home-based setup)
Tools needed: Heat press, printer, design software, blank shirts, printing materials
Income potential: ₱170–₱570 profit per shirt, depending on print quality and order volume
T-shirt printing enables you to turn your creativity into a source of income. With just a heat press and a solid design, you can cater to student orgs, small businesses, or even TikTok trends right from your home.
5. Custom gift and packaging shop
Startup cost: Approximately ₱20,000
Tools needed: Printing equipment, crafting tools, packaging materials, design software
Income potential: High demand year-round, especially for holidays, birthdays, and corporate giveaways
Filipinos love giving meaningful gifts. If you’re creative and enjoy crafting, you can turn that passion into a profitable business right from your home.
6. Digital printing services
Startup cost: Minimum of ₱10,000
Tools needed: Printers, heat press, cutting or engraving tools, design software
Income potential: High, especially with consistent demand from both personal and corporate clients
If you’ve got a knack for design and want something scalable, digital printing is a solid option. From t-shirts and mugs to invitations and business cards, you can serve a broad market that values fast, personalized, and professional-quality prints.
7. Computer rental and print shop
Startup cost: ₱200,000
Tools needed: Computers, printers, internet, software, accessories, shop space
Income potential: Moderate to high if near schools or government offices and paired with printing, scanning, and other services
Even with most people owning smartphones, there are still tasks—such as school projects, job applications, or printing documents—that require a computer. A computer shop bridges that gap. Investing in desktop units, internet, and basic peripherals is a practical way to serve your community’s digital needs.
8. Media or events company
Startup cost: Minimum of ₱5,000 (depending on scale and services)
Tools needed: Business permits, planning tools, marketing materials, network of suppliers and freelancers
Income potential: Depends on specialization, negotiation skills, and how well you handle logistics and marketing
If you’re skilled at organizing or telling stories through visuals, this business combines both. From weddings to corporate launches, clients pay for your ability to plan and manage seamless events, and possibly handle content such as photos, videos, and designs as well.
9. Motorcycle delivery service
Startup cost: Around ₱80,000
Tools needed: Motorcycle, helmet, box carrier, business permits
Income potential: Moderate to high, depending on delivery volume and area coverage
Online shopping is booming, and sellers are continually seeking reliable delivery partners. If you already own a motorcycle, you can start with minimal extra cost. Just promote your services online or partner with local sellers.
10. Catering business
Startup cost: ₱30,000–₱100,000
Tools needed: Kitchen equipment, food containers, sanitary permits, transport trays, uniforms
Income potential: Small-scale gigs can bring in ₱20,000 or more per event
Celebrations like birthdays, weddings, or brand events are a big deal in the Philippines, which makes catering a steady business opportunity. You can utilize your culinary skills and home kitchen to serve customers who lack the time to cook for themselves.
11. Laundry pickup and delivery
Startup cost: ₱200,000
Tools needed: Commercial washer, dryer, weighing scales, detergent, packaging, motorbike for delivery
Income potential: Ranging from ₱30,000 to ₱100,000 per month in gross revenue, with 20% to 40% profit margin if run efficiently.
Do you live near condos, dorms, and offices? If you can cover the high startup cost and keep utility and maintenance costs under control, this business can generate stable, recurring income.
12. Carwash
Startup cost: ₱68,000–₱106,000
Tools needed: High-pressure washer, vacuum cleaner, water supply, cleaning supplies
Income potential: Ranging from ₱30,000 to ₱35,000 in monthly net income
With over a million private cars on the road, there’s constant demand for reliable car wash services. This business can thrive in high-traffic areas, especially when paired with additional services like auto detailing or a snack bar.
13. Balloon and event styling
Startup cost: ₱10,000–₱130,000
Tools needed: Balloon pumps, decor tools, sample setups, backdrops
Income potential: Ranging from ₱5,000 to ₱50,000+ per event, with monthly income reaching up to ₱145,000 depending on scale and bookings.
From birthdays to corporate events, balloon styling is in high demand. If you are creative and enjoy setting up events, this business provides ample opportunities for growth.
14. Table and chair rental business
Startup cost: ₱50,000–₱200,000
Tools needed: Stackable chairs, folding tables, tent covers, truck or van for delivery
Income potential: Ranging from ₱3,000 to ₱20,000+ per event, with monthly earnings of ₱40,000 to ₱80,000 depending on bookings and packages.
Weddings, fiestas, birthdays—there’s always an event somewhere in the Philippines. This business thrives with good logistics and reliable service.
Launch Today, Expand Tomorrow
With ₱200,000, you can start a well-equipped business for long-term growth. The real challenge isn’t the money, but how you move. Start smart, stay consistent, and let your effort compound over time.
Whether you’re building a side hustle or going all in with your dream business, the goal is simple: turn capital into action. And when you’re ready to scale, Unicapital’s short-term business loan in the Philippines can provide the extra boost you need to grow with confidence.
Contact us today to get the financial support you need.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Great low-capital options include skincare reselling P5,000 to P30,000, digital printing services (minimum P10,000, or starting a custom gift and packaging shop P20,000. These ideas rely heavily on skill and marketing.
The full P200,000 capital can launch equipment-heavy ventures that offer stable, recurring income. These include a laundry pickup and delivery service, a well-equipped computer rental and print shop, or a large-scale table and chair rental business.
Starting a Motorcycle Delivery Service targets the booming Philippine e-commerce market. With an estimated P80,000 startup cost for equipment (if you don’t own a bike), you can partner with local sellers for high delivery volume.
To grow beyond the initial investment, you need consistent effort and smart scaling. When you’re ready to expand—like opening a new branch or buying more equipment—a short-term business loan can provide the necessary capital boost.
