power ranking: 25 digital-first businesses for entrepreneurs
This is the ultimate guide for internet dengen’s who want a business they can run from a beach—or, more realistically, get you out of your parent’s basement.
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what is a digital-first business?
Let's get something straight: a digital-first business isn't just any company with a website and a Zoom account. As in today’s age, many ‘sweaty’ or ‘blue collar’ businesses are operated remotely (see the list below if you don’t believe me) opening a world of possibilities.
By our definition - digital-first means businesses:
You can operate the business from anywhere with an internet connection
Your operations/leadership team can be fully remote
Limited physical infrastructure or inventory is required
You can scale the business without a linear scale of headcount
Let me know if you think I am out to lunch with these rankings - my preferred method of receiving hate mail is LinkedIn DMs.
Before diving in, an important message:
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Now, without further adieu, here’s our power ranking of the top 25 digital-first businesses to build or buy in 2025 👇
25. Newsletter Business
Barrier to entry: Lower than T-Pain - everyone and their mom has a Substack.
Learning curve: Leverage AI tools and you can get started super fast.
AI Resilience: Low – on one hand AI allows you to automate the creation of the newsletter BUT personal brand and adding your unique human voice can differentiate.
At-Scale Example: Morning Brew ($50M+ revenue).
Average Earnings: $150K for established newsletters.
Multiple: 2.5–3.5x EBITDA (Source: MicroAcquire, last 12 months).
24. Remote Handyman Service Platform
Barrier to entry: Low – everyone knows a ‘handyman’ plus platforms like TaskRabbit have exploded the marketplace.
Learning curve: 4–5 months to operationalize.
AI Resilience: Strong – AI supports job matching and pricing.
At-Scale Example: Handy ($100M+).
Average Earnings: $320K for established platforms.
Multiple: 3.3–4.1x EBITDA (Source: Service Business Marketplaces, Q3 2024).
23. Custom Meal Plan Subscription Service
Barrier to entry: Low – many platforms offer white-label meal planning software.
Learning curve: 2–3 months to start, with room to grow via branding and marketing.
AI Resilience: High – AI can generate tailored plans for niche audiences (e.g., keto, athletes).
At-Scale Example: EatLove ($10M+).
Average Earnings: $250K for established services.
Multiple: 3.2–4.0x EBITDA (Source: BizBuySell).
22. Subscription Box Business
Barrier to entry: Low – inventory and fulfillment expertise required but there is a LOT of existing competition.
Learning curve: 5–6 months to operationalize.
AI Resilience: High – AI aids curation and forecasting.
At-Scale Example: Hunt A Killer ($20M+).
Average Earnings: $400K for established operations.
Multiple: 3.8–4.5x EBITDA (Source: Empire Flippers, Subscription Commerce Data, 2024).
21. Online Language Tutoring Platform
Barrier to entry: Low – requires a solid scheduling platform and access to qualified tutors.
Learning curve: 2–3 months to set up and start attracting users.
AI Resilience: High – AI language tools complement human tutors but don’t replace them.
At-Scale Example: Italki ($10M+).
Average Earnings: $200K for established platforms.
Multiple: 3.2–4.0x EBITDA (Source: Quiet Light Brokerage).
20. Digital-First Moving Company
Barrier to entry: Medium-high – as with many remote home service companies - you need a way to recruit reliable talent. Finding these contractors is tough in the moving industry.
Learning curve: 6–8 months to establish.
AI Resilience: Strong – AI enhances booking and routing.
At-Scale Example: Bellhops ($40M+).
Average Earnings: $500K for established operations.
Multiple: 3.8–4.8x EBITDA (Source: FE International, Service Business Multiples, 2024).
19. Remote Dispatch Painting Company
Barrier to entry: Medium – systems and contractor network provide modest protection.
Learning curve: 3–4 months to build out operational systems.
AI Resilience: Strong – AI assists with scheduling and pricing optimization. Robots ain’t painting houses (yet lol).
At-Scale Example: WOW 1 DAY PAINTING ($50M+).
Average Earnings: $300K for established operations.
Multiple: 3.0–4.0x EBITDA (Source: Quiet Light Brokerage, Blue-Collar Services, 2024).
18. Remote Window Cleaning Dispatch
Barrier to entry: Medium – building sub-contractor relationships is critical.
Learning curve: 3–4 months to set up systems and scale.
AI Resilience: Strong – AI supports scheduling and pricing.
At-Scale Example: Window Gang ($30M+).
Average Earnings: $350K for established businesses.
Multiple: 3.2–4.0x EBITDA (Source: BizBuySell, Niche Home Services, Q4 2024).
17. Remote Cleaning Service Platform
Barrier to entry: Medium – requires strong contractor relationships.
Learning curve: 3–4 months to operationalize.
AI Resilience: Strong – AI helps with route optimization and pricing.
At-Scale Example: MaidsApp ($15M+).
Average Earnings: $280K for established operations.
Multiple: 3.0–3.8x EBITDA (Source: Empire Flippers).
16. Remote Lawn Care Platform
Barrier to entry: Medium – requires seasonal contractor networks.
Learning curve: 4–5 months to operationalize.
AI Resilience: High – route and pricing optimization benefit greatly from AI. AI robot lawn cutting companies exist, but the jury is still out.
At-Scale Example: GreenPal ($25M+).
Average Earnings: $350K for established operations.
Multiple: 3.2–4.2x EBITDA (Source: BizBuySell).
15. Remote Pool Service Management
Barrier to entry: Medium – contractor relationships are crucial, but competition is low.
Learning curve: 5–6 months to establish and streamline operations.
AI Resilience: Strong – AI supports scheduling and maintenance optimization; pool-cleaning robots haven’t gone mainstream.
At-Scale Example: Pool Scouts ($20M+).
Average Earnings: $480K for established operations.
Multiple: 3.8–4.8x EBITDA (Source: Quiet Light Brokerage, Pool Service Sector Multiples, 2024). LOTS of interest from private equity.
14. Remote Pest Control Coordination
Barrier to entry: Medium – requires partnerships with local providers.
Learning curve: 4–5 months to operationalize and establish a customer base.
AI Resilience: Strong – AI helps with scheduling and route optimization.
At-Scale Example: Aptive Environmental ($50M+).
Average Earnings: $400K for established coordination platforms.
Multiple: 3.5–4.5x EBITDA (Source: Empire Flippers). Again, LOTS of interest from private equity.
13. Remote IT Setup for Home Offices
Barrier to entry: Medium – requires basic IT knowledge or partnerships with freelancers.
Learning curve: 3–6 months to build systems and market services.
AI Resilience: High – AI tools streamline remote troubleshooting and setup.
At-Scale Example: HelloTech ($15M+).
Average Earnings: $250K for small-scale operations.
Multiple: 3.5–4.5x EBITDA (Source: MicroAcquire).
12. Digital Product Store (Templates/Printables)
Barrier to entry: High – you need to build a network of creators to add their products to your store OR you need to create a proprietary inventory list of digital goods (a lot of work).
Learning curve: 4–5 months to establish.
AI Resilience: High – AI assists design and production.
At-Scale Example: Creative Market sellers ($50M+ GMV).
Average Earnings: $220K for established sellers.
Multiple: 3.5–4.2x EBITDA (Source: MicroAcquire, Digital Commerce Multiples, 2024).
11. Remote Health & Wellness Coaching
Barrier to entry: Low – certification programs and platforms like Teachable make entry easy.
Learning curve: 2–3 months to establish.
AI Resilience: High – AI supports content creation but coaching remains human-centric.
At-Scale Example: Noom Coaches ($50M+).
Average Earnings: $200K for boutique coaches.
Multiple: 3.0–4.0x EBITDA (Source: MicroAcquire).
10. Digital Marketing Agency
Barrier to entry: Medium – you can differentiate yourself by specializing within niche industries or verticals (i.e. paid ads).
Learning curve: 6–12 months to establish operational competency.
AI Resilience: Medium – AI enables small businesses to do more in-house, great creative is still a human-centric task.
At-Scale Example: Common Thread Collective ($50M+).
Average Earnings: $250K for established agencies.
Multiple: 3.2–4.1x EBITDA (Source: Quiet Light, Marketing Agency Multiples, Q4 2024).
9. Automated Lead Generation Platform
Barrier to entry: Medium – your software systems and processes will create defensibility.
Learning curve: 6–8 months to establish.
AI Resilience: Strong – AI enhances lead targeting and scalability.
At-Scale Example: UpLead ($20M+ ARR).
Average Earnings: $400K for systematic platforms.
Multiple: 4.0–5.2x EBITDA (Source: FE International).
8. White-Label SaaS Reseller
Barrier to entry: Medium-high – vendor relationships and niche positioning required.
Learning curve: 4–6 months for operational mastery.
AI Resilience: Excellent – benefits from AI-enhanced solutions.
At-Scale Example: SherWeb ($100M+).
Average Earnings: $350K for established operations.
Multiple: 3.8–4.5x EBITDA (Source: MicroAcquire, Reseller Vertical Data, 2024).
7. Virtual Property Management
Barrier to entry: Medium – systems and vendor relationships are key.
Learning curve: 4–6 months to operationalize.
AI Resilience: High – AI supports maintenance scheduling.
At-Scale Example: Mynd ($100M+).
Average Earnings: $400K for established operations.
Multiple: 3.5–4.2x EBITDA (Source: BizBuySell, Real Estate Services, Q4 2024).
6. Digital Pet Wellness Subscription
Barrier to entry: Medium – requires partnerships with vets or pet food manufacturers.
Learning curve: 3–5 months to launch.
AI Resilience: High – AI helps create personalized pet care plans.
At-Scale Example: Pawp ($20M+).
Average Earnings: $250K for established services.
Multiple: 3.2–4.0x EBITDA (Source: MicroAcquire).
5. Private Paid Communities
Barrier to entry: Medium – creating a high-value community with consistent engagement and premium content requires time and effort, but platforms like Discord, Circle, or Slack lower the technical barriers.
Learning curve: 3–6 months to establish the community, define its value proposition, and attract members.
AI Resilience: High – AI can assist with content creation, moderation, and personalized recommendations, but authentic human connections remain irreplaceable.
At-Scale Example: Trends by The Hustle ($5M+ ARR).
Average Earnings: $200K–$400K for established niche communities.
Multiple: 3.0–4.2x EBITDA (Source: MicroAcquire, Subscription-Based Multiples, 2024).
4. Niche Job Board
Barrier to entry: Medium – the challenge lies in attracting job seekers and employers to a specific niche, but off-the-shelf software solutions make setup manageable.
Learning curve: 3–6 months to establish the platform, attract initial users, and optimize operations.
AI Resilience: High – AI improves job matching, applicant filtering, and personalized recommendations but doesn’t replace the need for niche-specific focus.
At-Scale Example: Remote OK ($2M+ ARR).
Average Earnings: $250K–$500K for established niche job boards.
Multiple: 3.5–4.5x EBITDA (Source: Empire Flippers, Digital Platform Multiples, 2024).
3. Micro-SaaS Tools
Barrier to entry: Medium – niche markets offer natural protection.
Learning curve: 6–9 months for technical integration.
AI Resilience: Strong – targets specific problems AI can't fully automate.
At-Scale Example: Baremetrics ($5M+ ARR).
Average Earnings: $250K for focused tools.
Multiple: 4.0–5.0x EBITDA (Source: MicroAcquire, SaaS Multiples, Q4 2024).
2. Digital Product Marketplace
Barrier to entry: High – network effects protect established players.
Learning curve: 6–8 months to master marketplace dynamics.
AI Resilience: Very high – enhances curation and discovery.
At-Scale Example: Creative Market ($50M+ GMV).
Average Earnings: $600K for established marketplaces.
Multiple: 4.2–5.5x EBITDA (Source: Empire Flippers, Digital Marketplace Multiples, Q4 2024).
1. Remote Equipment Rental Platform
Barrier to entry: Very high – logistics and inventory challenges. You need a way to get in with the big rental equipment firms, but when you do, the margins are crazy.
Learning curve: 12–15 months to understand logistics and operations.
AI Resilience: Very high – AI optimizes pricing and inventory.
At-Scale Example: BigRentz ($200M+).
Average Earnings: $2M+ for established platforms.
Multiple: 6.0–7.5x EBITDA (Source: Quiet Light Brokerage, Equipment Rental Sector, 2024).
wrapping up
Owning a digital-first business isn’t just about putting your hair up in a man-bun and working remote from Bali—it’s about leveraging the future of business models that prioritize scalability, global remote talent, and leading AI technology and no-code tools.
Each of these opportunities represents a chance to take control of your income, your lifestyle, and your entrepreneurial dreams.
Remember, you don’t need to be the 2nd coming of Zuck to own these things. Time tested ‘sweaty businesses’ such as residential cleaning are now operated from all over the world. The best part? Most Baby Boomers are still getting use to the ‘big switch’ from Outlook to Gmail - allowing you to either buy their businesses and implement this model OR start them from scratch.
So, what’s your next move? Start by bookmarking this guide, pick your favorite business model, and start building.
Every second counts.
my plugs
Looking to buy or sell your digital-first business? If I forgot to mention it, I am an M&A Advisor, specializing in the sale of digital-first businesses - schedule a FREE consultation call with me HERE.
Last plug (I promise) - want to follow along for more business ideas, health advice, and ways to build founder fitness? Make sure to subscribe to my FREE newsletter here.
Sources for Industry Multiples
The multiples and benchmarks referenced in this ranking are aggregated from the following trusted brokerage platforms and market reports:
Empire Flippers – Known for detailed transaction data across digital assets.
MicroAcquire – Focused on small-to-medium-sized SaaS and service business acquisitions.
BizBuySell – Offers data on various industries, including real estate and blue-collar services.
FE International – Specializes in SaaS, content sites, and e-commerce multiples.
Quiet Light Brokerage – Provides insights on service businesses and agency multiples.
