Tech workers are facing a challenging job market. While there’s growing demand for specialist skills (tech job postings requiring AI skills increased 380% between Q1 2024 and Q1 2026), hiring in the industry is losing momentum. Dice’s latest report reveals that tech job postings decreased 10% month-over-month in July, after a period of steady incline. Furthermore, Challenge, Gray & Christmas reports that there were nearly 10,000 tech job cuts in July - more than any other industry.

The bottom line? Securing a job in big tech is more competitive than ever, even for the most experienced workers with sought-after AI skills. So, for some, starting a small business could be another way to put those skills and experience to work.

Not just any type of small business, though. Tech workers have transferable skills that lend themselves to several high-demand, service-based businesses. Better yet, many of these businesses have relatively low starting costs. All you need is experience, marketing, a compliant business setup, and some tenacity.

Here are a few options to consider if you’re interested in making the shift from job hunting into entrepreneurship.

1. AI Automation Implementation Agency

Thryv’s Small Business and AI Adoption survey has found that 66% of small businesses use AI, but 70% lack the skills to use it effectively. This is where you can come in as an AI automation specialist. You could help businesses bridge the gap between AI adoption, implementation, and optimization.

You can help other businesses identify the most effective AI tools and automated workflows for achieving their business goals, and then help them implement it. For example, you may help them build AI-assisted customer service workflows or automate their repetitive reporting and data entry tasks.

2. AI Consulting or Training

If you prefer to advise businesses on how to use AI, versus doing the work for them, consulting could be a better option for you. As an AI consultant, you’d assess a business’s AI requirements, find opportunities for AI use, and recommend solutions and AI tools to help them achieve their goals . You may even offer AI training (one-on-one, webinar, or workshop-style) to help clients use the tools effectively long after your engagement has ended.

3. Data Analytics Consulting

If you have skills in data analysis, you could help businesses turn their enormous quantities of data into dashboards, demand forecasts, and actionable insights that help them drive business growth. Demand for these skills remains strong; according to Skillenai , data analysis requirements appeared in 6,619 US job postings over 90 days ending in July, with demand up 14% from the previous 4 weeks.

4. Tech Career Consulting

Those who enjoy helping others succeed may choose to start a tech career consultancy. As a tech worker, you already have deep industry knowledge. You can use this knowledge to help others identify gaps in their skills, advise jobseekers on which skills tech companies are looking for, and prepare them for technical interviews. You could even go a step further and help them establish their personal brands via LinkedIn to help attract inbound opportunities.

IT skills continue to be in demand, and many businesses (of all sizes) need help with their IT. They may need help implementing or improving IT systems, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, or even choosing what software to use in the first place. This is where your years of experience come in. As an IT consultant, you can help these businesses identify new IT solutions or troubleshoot existing problems.

Even though the tech sector is going through turbulence, that doesn’t mean tech workers don’t have options. Starting your own small business or consultancy is a smart way to continue doing work you’re passionate about while creating a new income stream in the process.