4 Startup Ideas following the NomadList Model: PetMigrate, Expat List, EduAbroad, Medical Tourism Hub

Nomad List makes $41k per month passively. It has revolutionized the way digital nomads choose their destinations by mastering a few key strategies:

Simplifying Complex decisions: By aggregating essential data like cost of living, internet speed, and safety ratings into a user-friendly interface, Nomad List turns the daunting task of deciding where to work into an easy, visually appealing decision-making process.

Fostering Community: More than just a data platform, Nomad List cultivates a thriving community, connecting nomads through forums, events, and shared experiences, enriching the nomadic lifestyle.

Ensuring Relevance: Regular updates keep the platform current, reflecting the latest in global conditions, ensuring users have access to the most accurate information. Every year they release a comprehensive state of Nomads report from user-submitted data.

Smart Monetization: Through memberships, affiliate marketing, and ads, Nomad List not only sustains itself but also grows, proving the model's viability.

Here are 4 untapped startup ideas following the same model:

Medical Tourism Hub

Concept:

A portal that provides detailed information about healthcare services available in different countries tailored to medical tourists. This includes details about hospitals, specialized treatments, costs, legal requirements, and patient reviews.

Market:

The medical tourism market is expected to reach $207.9 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 21.1%, driven by the rising costs of healthcare in developed countries and the increasing availability of quality care in emerging destinations.

Why Now:

Medical costs have skyrocketed in the United States due to the convoluted and perverse incentive structures of health insurance, hospitals, and pharmaceutical Benefit Managers. At the same time developing nations especially India, Thailand, Costa Rica, and Mexico have nearly reached parity with the best providers stateside. For elective surgeries not covered by health insurance, costs can be 10X cheaper due to less cumbersome regulations and lower cost of living societies. Recently, novel treatments are only available in special economic zones such as Prospera off the coast of Honduras.

Data Sources:

• Hospital and clinic databases

• Health tourism agencies

• Patient testimonial platforms

• Medical procedure pricing databases

• Regulatory and healthcare accreditation bodies

Affiliate Opportunities:

• Booking platforms for medical appointments

• Travel insurance companies

• Medical visa assistance services

• Recovery and wellness hotel bookings

• Transport services specializing in medical tourists

Other Unique Monetization Strategies:

• Fees for verified listings of hospitals and clinics

• Sponsored content and advertisements from healthcare providers

• Commission from recovery retreat bookings

• Custom travel and treatment packages

Distribution Strategies:

• Content marketing via blogs and articles about successful treatment stories (Focus on the exceptionally viral stories of how people got life-changing treatments that otherwise couldn't have afforded it, or shockingly effective treatments in places like Prospera where the FDA is slow to approve new treatments)

• SEO focusing on specific treatments and destination countries

• Collaboration with travel agencies specializing in health tourism

• Online forums and webinars with healthcare providers

• Targeted advertising in regions with high outbound medical tourism rates

Expat List

Concept:

A comprehensive resource for retired individuals considering relocation abroad, focusing on long-term living, permanent residency, and citizenship options in different countries. The site would feature cost of living, healthcare quality, ease of residency, and expat community information.

Market:

A recent study by InterNations found that 36% of expats are retirees, with the global expat population projected to reach 87.5 million by 2024

Why Now:

Retirement Benefits have not kept up with the cost of living. Combined with technology making it easier than ever to stay connected with family and friends in their home countries, the appeal of retiring abroad has never been greater.

Data Sources:

• Government immigration websites

• Cost of living databases (Numbeo, Expatistan)

• International healthcare rankings

• Real estate listings APIs

• Weather, crime, APIs

• Expat forums and social media groups

Affiliate Opportunities:

• International moving services

• Expat health insurance

• Legal services for residency and citizenship

• Language learning platforms

• Real estate agencies specializing in expat relocation

Other Unique Monetization Strategies:

• Subscription services for personalized expat relocation consulting

• Webinars and virtual tours of potential destinations

• Premium memberships offering detailed guides and exclusive content

• Partnerships with local governments or tourism boards for featured listings

Distribution Strategies:

• SEO optimization for keywords related to retirement abroad and expat living

• Partnerships with retirement planning blogs and forums

• Social media marketing targeting retirees

• Email newsletters featuring updates on residency laws, expat stories, and promotions

• Utilizing expat influencers to share content and experiences from the platform

Pet Migrate

Concept:

A resource designed for pet owners moving or traveling internationally, providing comprehensive information on pet import regulations, quarantine requirements, pet-friendly accommodations, and local vet services.

Market:

The global pet travel services market is projected to grow from $2.1 billion in 2023 to $5.42 billion by 2033, with a CAGR of 10%​ (IMARC)​​ (FMI market insights)​.

Why Now:

More retirees than ever before are becoming expats and pets are increasingly treated as family that needs to come along as families move and even just travel.

Data Sources:

• Governmental agricultural and wildlife regulation websites

• Airline pet policy APIs

• Pet-friendly accommodation listings

• Veterinary care and service databases

• Pet owner forums and expat community insights

Affiliate Opportunities:

• Pet relocation services

• International pet insurance

• Travel carriers and pet travel accessories

• Booking platforms for pet-friendly accommodations

• Pet health products and services

Other Unique Monetization Strategies:

• Premium content offering detailed guides on specific countries

• Subscription model for access to a community of expert pet relocation advisors

• Sponsored reviews and features for pet-friendly destinations and services

• Partnership with airlines and pet transport companies for exclusive offers

Distribution Strategies:

• SEO focused on "international pet travel" and related queries

• Engagement on social media with visual content showing pets traveling

• Collaborations with pet bloggers and influencers

• Targeted ads in pet owner communities and forums

• Hosting webinars and live Q&A sessions with pet travel experts

EduAbroad

Concept:

A platform that profiles international study destinations, highlighting universities, living costs, student visa requirements, and social life, with a special focus on the cost of education subsidized by local governments.

Market:

UNESCO reports a 55% increase in the number of international students over the past decade, with over 5.3 million students studying abroad in 2020

Why Now:

The cost of college continues to soar in the United States while it also becomes increasingly clear that the benefits reside just as much in the networks made and the cultural exchange of ideas, both of which are supercharged by studying abroad.

Data Sources:

• University and college data APIs

• International student office publications

• Government education subsidy records

• Cost of living databases (Numbeo, Expatistan)

• Student review platforms and social networks

Affiliate Opportunities:

• Student accommodation services

• Textbook and educational material suppliers

• Student visa and legal services

• Scholarship and financial aid platforms

• Language courses and preparatory exam materials

Other Unique Monetization Strategies:

• Premium memberships offering personalized application assistance

• Partnerships with universities for featured programs

• Virtual college fairs and direct webinars with university admissions

• Sale of detailed guides on scholarships and financial aids

Distribution Strategies:

• SEO targeting study abroad keywords and specific country/program searches

• Collaborative content with educational bloggers and influencers

• Social media campaigns during peak university application periods

• Partnership with high schools and educational consultants worldwide

• Email marketing campaigns to prospective international students