Montreal can be a very profitable location for your upcoming business venture. If you are looking forward to starting a business here in this city and looking for ideas and opportunities, this article will surely help you.
Montreal is the second most populated city in Canada and is the highest populated city in the province of Quebec and a great center of business and commerce. Hence you will be able to develop business ideas in Montreal with ease and many advantages.
Montreal offers a plethora of advantages both from the government as well as private enterprises. Hence you will get economic as well as infrastructural cooperation in growing your business idea in Montreal.
Furthermore, the city of Montreal offers a low cost of living, availability of skilled workers, and taxation benefits. Hence it will help you in different aspects to start a business idea in Montreal and achieve success.
Is Montreal a Good Place to Start a Business?
Yes, Montreal can be a favorable location to start a business for several reasons. Some of them are listed below:
⇒ Cultural Diversity
Montreal is known for its rich cultural diversity, creating a dynamic market with various opportunities for businesses catering to diverse tastes and preferences.
⇒ Bilingual Population
The city is bilingual, with both English and French widely spoken. This linguistic diversity can be advantageous for businesses aiming to reach a broader audience.
⇒ Thriving Arts and Culture Scene
Montreal has a vibrant arts and culture scene, providing opportunities for businesses related to entertainment, events, and the creative industry.
⇒ Educational Hub
Home to several universities and colleges, Montreal offers access to a skilled workforce and opportunities for businesses in the education and technology sectors.
⇒ Supportive Business Environment
The city provides support for entrepreneurs through various initiatives, programs, and resources offered by government agencies, business associations, and incubators.
⇒ Quality of Life
Montreal consistently ranks high in terms of quality of life. This can be attractive for entrepreneurs looking to establish a business in a city with a favorable living environment.
⇒ Innovation and Technology Hub
Montreal is emerging as a hub for innovation and technology, with a growing tech sector. This provides opportunities for startups and businesses in the tech industry.
⇒ Tourism Opportunities
The city attracts a significant number of tourists each year. Businesses in the hospitality, tourism, and service sectors can benefit from Montreal’s popularity as a tourist destination.
⇒ Transportation Infrastructure
The city has a well-developed transportation infrastructure, making it accessible for businesses involved in logistics, transportation, and distribution.
28 Small Business Ideas in Montreal
1. Food Cart
Selling fast food like burgers, French fries, sandwiches or other kinds of street food is a profitable business idea in Montreal. You can start this business with low capital and earn high profits if your cart is placed at strategic locations like near schools colleges or busy places. Taking a franchise is also a good business option.
Read: How to Start a Mobile Food Truck Business
2. Bar & Restaurant
Bars and restaurants have a good demand in Montreal. Hence you can start a theme bar and Restaurant at a good location and expect a high income. Marketing, as well as publicity, is very important for this business idea in Montreal. Invest in the theme and good interiors along with serving excellent food and drinks to grow your business in a short period.
Read: How to Start a Restaurant Business
3. Café
Opening a café is a profitable business idea for you in Montreal. Two business options are there in this case- taking a franchise and starting independently. Both options have pros and cons. Choose the option that suits you best. In the case of independent cafés, exhaustive marketing and promotions are necessary, both online and offline.
4. Cigar Lounge
With more restrictions on smoking in public places, the concept and demand for cigar lounges are gaining popularity. You can think of starting a cigar lounge as a business idea in Montreal. A strategic location along with good décor is important for this business. Publicize your cigar lounge through ads and online publicity to get more clients.
5. Immigration Law Firm
Canada is one of the most preferred nations for immigrants. If you have a law degree and experience you can start a legal firm assisting the aspirants in their process of immigration with the necessary paperwork and documentation. This is a profitable business idea in Montreal as you can charge good fees for the service.
6. Real Estate Agency
Start your real estate agency and earn a comfortable income as a commission for each deal. It is a very profitable and potential business idea in Montreal. You can start the agency entirely online through a website or app. Opening an office is also a good option. You need to have good contact with builders, architects, and sellers to grow this business.
7. IT Consultancy Using AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an important element of modern-day business. If you are an IT specialist, you can start your IT consultancy company along with AI services. This is a very lucrative and prospective business idea in Montreal as the city is a great center of AI. You will need a great deal of digital marketing and publicity for the growth of this business. A website of your company is also important.
8. Financial Consultancy
Financial consultancy is a profitable business idea in Montreal. If you can add accounting services along with it, you can get more clients for this business. Financial services include tax and investment planning, financial reporting, business viability checking, suggesting allied or alternative business ideas, etc.
Accounting will include regular account keeping, bank reconciliation, preparation of balance sheets, etc. As there are several kinds of business enterprises in Montreal, you can get a high income with the right marketing and networking.
9. Gym and Fitness Center
Start your gym and fitness center and earn handsome profits. This is a very good business idea in Montreal as there is high demand for fitness centers. A good location and extensive publicity and marketing will get you more clients.
10. Gaming Center
Start a video game center at a prominent place for earning comfortable profit. Montreal has a high demand for games and hence this is a very good business idea for this city. Pay attention to the décor of your gaming center and spend on good games, publicity, and promotion so that more people know about the gaming center. Thus you will get a large number of customers.
11. Dog Training
Canada is a dog-loving nation where there are dogs in a large number of households. Hence dog training can be a profitable business idea for you in Montreal. If you are a pet lover, you can earn a lot of money from this business. Start on your capacity and then grow the business by appointing other trainers under you. Local marketing and publicity along with word-of-mouth publicity will help to grow your business.
12. Old Age care
With the rising number of senior adults, old age care is a sustainable and profitable business idea almost everywhere and Montreal is no exception. If you can invest more, you can start living facilities for old citizens which is a very profitable business. Otherwise, you can also start providing different kinds of services to the senior adults in their homes including caregiving. Extensive marketing, caring staff, and referrals will help in growing your business.
13. Auto Repair
You can start an auto repair and maintenance shop to cater to the city’s vehicle owners. Consider offering services such as routine maintenance, repairs, and diagnostics, providing a reliable and trustworthy option for Montreal’s diverse population of drivers. Also, specialize in eco-friendly or electric vehicle services to align with the city’s environmental consciousness.
14. Open a Salon in Montreal
Opening your salon is a very profitable business idea in Montreal. You can opt for a franchise or open an independent salon. For the stand-alone salon, you need to invest in a strategic location, and good décor and hire expert beauticians. Offer special discounts during the festival season and if you can offer mobile service also, it will be more profitable. Online and offline marketing and publicity are important.
15. Event Planning
Event planners are sought after for different types of events both personal as well as corporate. If you are a good organizer with an eye for details, you can start an event planning company as your business idea in Montreal. Good employees, personal contacts, and referrals are the keys to success in your event planning business.
16. Transport
The transport business has a very good demand in Montreal. Hence you can start your transport company in Montreal as your business idea. The truck business has the greatest demand in Montreal. Start your business with a couple of trucks and gradually scale up the business. Carrying freight, and raw materials for business, or renting a truck in the logistics business are profitable options for you.
17. Commercial and Home Cleaning
A cleaning business is a good business with a steady income. You can start a commercial as well as a home cleaning company and earn comfortable profits from this business idea in Montreal. The use of safe and organic cleaners, good equipment, and providing sanitizing services are essential for growing your business. A website along with online and offline marketing is also important.
18. Waste Removal
Waste removal is a profitable business and you can start it as your business idea in Montreal. You choose any of the areas in this business. These areas are waste removal, waste recycling, and selling valuable parts from waste. Any of these areas are profitable. However, if you can start a recycling unit and recycle wastes into resalable items, it will be more profitable.
19. Appliance Repair
Repairing appliances, especially household ones is a very useful business and profitable too. Start an appliance repair center and earn a good income from this business idea in Montreal. Providing at-home service is an essential point of this business and gives you more income opportunities. Local contacts and referrals, along with word-of-mouth publicity will get you more clients, thereby increasing your income.
20. Dropshipping
Dropshipping businesses can give you good income opportunities without much investment. Hence you can start a Dropshipping business in Montreal as a good business idea and sell items like jewelry, apparel, handicraft items, etc. A great deal of online marketing and social media publicity will help you grow your Dropshipping business.
21. Fashion Design
Fashion design is a great business idea in Montreal. If you are a trained or naturally talented fashion designer, you can start your designer boutique physical or online, or sell your brands to different stores. You can choose a niche like wedding fashion women/men’s fashion or design for all. Online and offline marketing, publicity, promotions, and social media ads are important for this business. Your website is also necessary.
22. Tutoring
Demand for teaching and tutors never goes out. Hence if you are good at academics, you can start a tutoring business in Montreal. You can teach school children or students of higher level with subject specialization. Tutoring can be in teaching centers or through virtual media. Both options are profitable. A good personal network and marketing are necessary for your tutoring business.
23. Website Development
Website development is a sought-after business idea and Montreal is no exception. If you are trained in web development, you can start this business and service businesses of different kinds and sizes as the website has become a necessity for the majority of businesses. Develop your company’s website with great care as this will be your point of publicity. Apart from that, strategic marketing and contacts are necessary for this business.
24. App Development
Just like websites, apps are also an integral part of many businesses as well as services. Hence the business of app development is a lucrative business idea in Montreal. If you are skilled in coding, you can start your app development company and earn a high income. Use your creativity and try to think out of the box to achieve success in this business. Furthermore, digital marketing and personal networking will help you immensely to promote this business.
25. Drone Photography
Drone photography has become immensely popular in recent years and is used in various sectors including films, ads, etc. If you are well-trained in this area of photography, you can start a drone photography business. This is a very profitable business idea in Montreal. You will need a good personal network and efficient marketing to get more clients for this business.
26. Language School
Montreal is a bilingual city (English and French). Consider starting a language school to offer language courses, catering to individuals looking to improve their language skills.
27. Bike Rental Service
Montreal is a bike-friendly city. Launch a bike rental service to cater to locals and tourists exploring the city on two wheels.
28. Coffee Roastery
Montrealers appreciate a good cup of coffee. Start a coffee roastery, sourcing high-quality beans and supplying local cafes and individuals with freshly roasted coffee.
Montreal has huge potential and offers you a lot of opportunities as far as business is concerned. Hence you can surely achieve success in any of the business ideas in Montreal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the language requirements for businesses in Montreal?
Montreal is bilingual, with both English and French widely spoken. While there are no strict language requirements, having a bilingual approach, such as bilingual signage and customer service, can be beneficial for reaching a broader audience.
Are there specific permits required to start a business in Montreal?
Yes, depending on the nature of your business, you may need specific permits and licenses. It’s essential to research and obtain the necessary permits from the local authorities, which may include the city of Montreal and provincial agencies.
How can I access business support services in Montreal?
Montreal offers various business support services through government agencies, business development organizations, and local chambers of commerce. Resources such as mentoring, funding programs, and networking events are available to help entrepreneurs.
Is there financial assistance available for startups in Montreal?
Yes, there are financial assistance programs and grants available for startups in Montreal. These may be offered by government agencies, financial institutions, or private organizations. Research available funding options and eligibility criteria.
What industries are thriving in Montreal?
Montreal has thriving industries in technology, aerospace, healthcare, tourism, and the arts. However, the suitability of an industry depends on factors such as market demand, competition, and the unique offerings of your business.
How can I navigate the tax system for businesses in Montreal?
The tax system in Montreal is governed by both federal and provincial regulations. It’s advisable to consult with an accountant or tax professional to understand the tax implications specific to your business structure and industry.
Is Montreal a good place for tech startups?
Yes, Montreal has a growing tech sector with a focus on artificial intelligence, video game development, and other technology-related industries. The city provides support for tech startups through incubators, accelerators, and networking events.
Editorial Team at 99BusinessIdeas is a team of experts led by Rupak Chakrabarty with over 25 years of experience in starting and running small businesses. Started in 2010, 99BusinessIdeas is now one of the largest free small business resources in the industry.
