12 startups to launch now.

In 10 nations on four continents, we’ve uncovered a dozen of the most intriguing new business opportunities in the world today.

International borders used to be the biggest barrier to entry for Americans interested in starting a business overseas. But today, as more nations ease trade regulations and restrictions on foreign investment, borders are more like invitations.

Take real estate, for instance: According to research firm Jones Lang LaSalle, Americans spent more than $12 billion on foreign commercial real estate ventures last year, almost double the amount they invested in 2004. Meanwhile, American investment in overseas businesses has nearly doubled, too, since 2002.

So we enlisted a team of top reporters to find out what, and where, the most intriguing new business opportunities are today. They returned with a dozen stories that describe lucrative ventures in unlikely places – from starting a coffee business in Rwanda to discovering the next great cabernet in Greece.

They also found opportunities in Brazil (delivering Wi-Fi to coastal resorts), China (remodeling homes), and Russia (creating a social network for millionaires).

Our goal isn’t just to show where the latest business trends are converging, but to coax more of you armchair entrepreneurs out of your Aerons. We’ve supplied the ideas, the rationales, and even some how-to guidelines from local experts. The rest is up to you.

By Michael V. Copeland, Paul Kaihla and Paul Sloan, Business 2.0 Magazine

Full Story: http://money.cnn.com/2006/07/31/magazines/business2/planetstartupintro.biz2/index.htm