$67B Pet Food, $43M CMS, 100K ADHD Downloads, $6M Beauty Tech: 4 Trends to Watch

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Navigating the dynamic landscape of startup fundraising can be challenging, but staying ahead of the curve can give you the edge you need. In today’s fast-paced world, trending topics can significantly influence investor interest and funding opportunities.

In this edition, we explore four Trending Topics for future Fundraising. These emerging trends have the potential to create fundraising momentum, attract investors, and propel your startup to new heights. Leveraging these trends showcases your adaptability and positions your startup as a forward-thinking player in the industry.

Let's explore these trending opportunities and how to harness their power to secure the funding you need to thrive.

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Trend #1: A Pup Above

A Pup Above is a startup crafting human-grade dog food, with every ingredient and finished product meeting the Association of American Feed Control Officials’ standards for human consumption. This type of dog food is touted as more nutrient-rich and digestible than feed-grade options. A Pup Above uses a slow, low-temperature sous-vide cooking technique to ensure the food retains its nutritional value. The company offers four fresh dog food varieties and four dry options. Launched in 2020, its products are now available in over 2,000 stores, with recent growth driven by robust influencer campaigns on Instagram and TikTok.

Looking ahead, A Pup Above aligns with the rising Human-Grade Dog Food trend. The American Pet Products Association estimated pet owners spent $150 billion on their pets in 2024, with nearly $67 billion directed toward pet food. Evidence suggests people are increasingly treating their pets like family, seeking top-tier food options akin to what they’d eat. Other startups in this space include Sunday’s Dog Food, which provides air-dried human-grade blends in beef, turkey, and chicken; Lyka, an Australian company using locally sourced ingredients for low-temperature-cooked meals, boasting over 65 million deliveries; and Pure Pet Food, a UK brand offering dehydrated, personalized dog food tailored to a dog’s breed and health needs, rehydrated with water at mealtime.

Trend #2: Hygraph

Hygraph is a headless CMS platform built on a GraphQL-native framework. In many modern enterprises, content remains trapped in silos, but Hygraph tackles this with its “content federation” approach. The platform empowers organizations to manage and distribute content from any source through APIs. Users can link to external APIs, select specific data points for content sourcing, and access it all via a single GraphQL API endpoint. Unlike traditional REST APIs, Hygraph’s GraphQL method delivers content more efficiently and precisely, handling complex queries while avoiding data over-fetching. By removing the need for custom middleware, it accelerates development, supports omnichannel experiences, and offers flexibility to deploy content anywhere. Founded in 2017, Hygraph has secured $43 million in funding.

Looking forward, Hygraph fits into the Headless CMS Platforms trend. Surveys reveal that 85% of organizations feel their current CMS restricts their ability to fully leverage data and content. Headless CMS solutions address this by decoupling content management (back end) from presentation (front end), effectively making the system “headless.” This separation allows content to be delivered via APIs to any platform or channel, enhancing content reuse and enabling seamless omnichannel experiences at scale. Other notable players include Kontent.AI, an AI-integrated headless CMS that streamlines workflows, text generation, and compliance, with $40 million raised; Builder.io, an AI-driven visual headless CMS with a drag-and-drop interface for marketers, backed by $37 million; and Storyblok, a visual headless CMS that claims to speed up content publishing tenfold compared to traditional systems, having raised $138 million.

Trend #3: Inflow App

The Inflow App delivers a digital cognitive behavioral therapy program tailored for individuals with ADHD. It starts with users completing a questionnaire about their lifestyle and ADHD struggles, which the app uses to craft a personalized learning plan. This plan includes modules tackling issues like anxiety, impulsivity, avoidance, and procrastination. The app also encourages users to set a daily focus, sending periodic reminders to keep them on track. Additionally, it offers an in-app community where users can connect, chat, or pair up with an accountability partner or personal coach. Since its 2020 launch, Inflow has notched over 100,000 downloads on the Google Play Store and earned more than 5,000 ratings on the App Store. It provides a seven-day free trial, followed by a $200 annual subscription.

Looking ahead, Inflow fits into the ADHD Apps trend. Over 3% of people worldwide have ADHD, yet only about 25% of those diagnosed receive support for their symptoms. ADHD apps offer a flexible, self-paced solution for managing these challenges. They assist with time tracking, task management, and organization. Other trending ADHD apps include Tiimo, which uses vibrant checklists, timelines, and icons to keep users focused; Goblin Tools, a “magic to-do” app that breaks tasks into bite-sized steps; TickTick, a calendar app featuring checklists, a priority matrix, habit trackers, and reminders; and The Sweepy App, which organizes chores with auto-generated cleaning schedules that sync across household members.

Trend #4: Electric Gua Sha

Electric Gua Sha is a beauty tool designed to massage and contour the face. Rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, gua sha involves gently stroking the skin with a small, thin stone to promote energy flow. The electric version elevates this practice by integrating microcurrents, heat, vibration, and LED light therapy for amplified facial benefits. Users apply a light layer of oil and glide the device in specific patterns across the face and neck for 5-10 minutes. Primarily, electric gua sha aims to reduce facial fluid buildup, while some users claim it also boosts collagen and smooths wrinkles. Its popularity has surged on TikTok, with one video racking up over 23 million views. A top-rated electric gua sha device reportedly generates $518,000 monthly on Amazon.

Looking forward, Electric Gua Sha ties into the At-Home Lymphatic Drainage trend. Lymphatic drainage massages encourage the movement of lymph—a fluid rich in white blood cells—reducing swelling, detoxifying the body, and bolstering immunity. Professional lymphatic massages are in demand; one Los Angeles specialist boasts a 2,300-client waitlist. However, those seeking convenience are fueling the rise of at-home options. Devices like vibration plates and compression sleeves deliver pulses to stimulate lymph flow, while body gua sha offers a simpler approach, adapting the facial technique to reduce swelling throughout the body.

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Last Week’s Poll Results 📈

Which Trend Excites You The Most?

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Gruns (2)

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ Fourthwall (4)

🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ AI Governance Framework (3)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Beef Organs (7)

16 Votes