As part of the team behind EasyGrader.net, I’ve seen firsthand how digital education tools can change lives, on both sides of the classroom. And if you’re an educator with some experience, insight, or creativity to offer, now is genuinely one of the best times to launch an EdTech startup, even on a small budget.
Whether you’re teaching in a classroom or coaching students online, here are practical, low-cost EdTech business ideas that real teachers are launching today (many using free or freemium tools).
1. Sell Printable Worksheets or Templates Online
One of the simplest EdTech startups you can build is a digital product store with printable worksheets, lesson plans, or templates.
- Target: Homeschoolers, teachers, ESL tutors
- Tools: Canva, Google Docs, Gumroad, Payhip
- Platforms: Teachers Pay Teachers, Etsy
You can start with 1–2 quality worksheets and build from there. It’s passive income and scalable—no shipping, no inventory.
- Cost to start: Under $50
- Time to launch: 1 week
2. Create a Micro Online Course
Have a special area of expertise? Package it into a micro-course (30–60 minutes long) and host it on platforms like:
You don’t need a full curriculum, just focus on a single skill. For example:
- “How to Write a Strong Thesis Statement”
- “Intro to Fractions for Parents & Kids”
- “Digital Grading Tips for Teachers”
- Cost to start: $0–$20 using free tiers
- Time to launch: 1–2 weeks with basic video recording
3. Start a Paid Substack Newsletter
Teachers with unique insights, worksheets, or resources can build a subscriber base using Substack.
Ideas include:
- “Weekly Writing Prompts for Middle School”
- “Tech Tips for Online Teachers”
- “Education News in Plain English”
Start free, grow an email list, and add a paid tier for exclusive content.
- Cost to start: $0
- Time to launch: 1 day
4. Launch a Private Tutoring Service (With Scheduling Tools)
Private tutoring is nothing new, but you can modernise it with tools like:
Even if you’re not a full-time tutor, a few weekly sessions can build into a boutique EdTech brand over time—especially if you niche down (e.g. “Essay Writing for ESL College Students”).
Cost to start: Under $30/month
Time to launch: 1–3 days
5. Create & Sell Notion Templates for Students/Teachers
Notion is booming in the education space—and people are paying for well-designed templates like:
- Class schedules
- Assignment trackers
- Lesson plan templates
- Parent communication logs
You can list these on Notion Marketplaces or your own Gumroad store.
Cost to start: $0
Time to launch: 2–3 days
6. Build a Mini EdTech Tool (No Code)
We created EasyGrader.net as a simple tool for grading—but you don’t need to know how to code to do the same. Tools like:
Let you build useful education apps (flashcard tools, habit trackers, grading calculators) using no-code platforms.
Cost to start: Free to low-tier plans
Time to launch: 1–2 weeks
7. Start a YouTube Channel for Bite-Sized Lessons
YouTube is still a goldmine—especially for hyper-niche educational content.
- “5-Minute Math Fixes”
- “Grammar Tips in 60 Seconds”
- “Tech Tips for Classroom Teachers”
You don’t need fancy gear. Your iPad, Canva thumbnails, and consistent posting are enough to get going. Over time, you can monetize via ads, sponsorships, or product sales.
- Cost to start: $0
- Time to launch: 1 day to film, edit, post
Bonus Tips: How to Choose Your EdTech Startup Idea
- Start with what you know. If you’re an elementary teacher, don’t try to build a coding bootcamp platform.
- Keep it small and focused. You don’t need a huge course or 100 templates—start with one strong product.
- Validate demand. Look at forums like Reddit’s r/Teachers or Quora for real questions educators are asking.
- Don’t get stuck on perfection. Get version 1 out, then improve.
Final Thoughts from EasyGrader.net
You don’t need venture capital or a fancy tech team to start something impactful in EdTech. Most of the ideas above can be launched in days, not months, and with under $100 in total cost.
We built EasyGrader.net as a small, helpful tool—and it turned into a platform with thousands of monthly users. Your startup could start the same way.
If you’re thinking about it… now’s the time to begin. Even just one worksheet, one course, or one lesson plan can be the seed of something meaningful.
