Emerging Trends to Watch: Wellness, Creativity, Beauty, and Tech Innovation

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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 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 Nattokinase

Nattokinase is an enzyme derived from fermenting boiled soybeans with a specific bacterium called Bacillus subtilis natto. This unique fermentation process has been practiced in Japan for centuries, particularly in creating natto, a traditional fermented soybean dish.

The Health Benefits of Nattokinase

Nattokinase is widely studied for its potential health benefits, particularly in supporting cardiovascular health. Its primary effects include:

• Blood Clot Prevention: Nattokinase helps reduce fibrin, a protein involved in blood clotting, which can promote healthier blood flow and reduce the risk of clots.

• Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Research suggests that nattokinase may help lower inflammation, which is often linked to chronic health conditions.

• Support for Hypertension and Stroke Recovery: Preliminary studies indicate that nattokinase may assist in managing high blood pressure and reducing the risk of strokes by improving vascular function.

• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Prevention: Its ability to prevent excessive clotting may be beneficial in conditions like DVT, particularly for people who travel frequently or have a sedentary lifestyle.

Growing Popularity

Due to these benefits, interest in nattokinase supplements is surging. Over the past five years, Google searches for “nattokinase supplement” have skyrocketed by 6,200%, reflecting a dramatic rise in consumer awareness and demand. On Amazon, nattokinase capsules generate approximately $137,000 in monthly revenue, highlighting the growing market for these products.

What’s Next for Nattokinase?

Nattokinase is part of a broader health trend known as the Young Adult Heart Care Meta Trend. Heart health concerns among younger populations have been rising sharply:

• Heart Attack Spike in Young Adults: Over the past decade, heart attacks among Americans under 40 have been steadily increasing.

• Lifestyle Drivers: Sedentary behaviors, poor diets, and increased stress levels are contributing to this troubling trend.

As a result, many young adults are turning to preventative health measures, including supplements tailored to cardiovascular health. Searches for “heart supplements” have risen by 163% over the last five years. Alongside nattokinase, trending heart supplements include heart chews and saffron supplements, which are gaining traction as natural solutions for heart health.

This intersection of increasing awareness of cardiovascular health and the growing demand for natural remedies positions nattokinase as a key player in the health supplement market. Expect this trend to continue shaping the wellness industry in the years to come.

Trend #2 Crochet Plushies

Crochet plushies are handcrafted stuffed toys made using the intricate art of crocheting. These charming creations can take on a wide range of forms, including:

• Animals: From playful kittens to majestic whales, crocheted animals are a popular choice.

• Dolls and People: Miniature dolls or representations of loved ones bring a personal touch.

• Plants and Food: Whimsical designs like crocheted succulents or smiling cupcakes add a playful aesthetic.

Therapeutic Benefits

Crochet plushies are more than just visually appealing—they may offer therapeutic value. Research suggests that plush toys can help reduce cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress, and encourage the release of oxytocin, often called the "love hormone," which promotes feelings of comfort and well-being.

A TikTok Sensation

The aesthetic appeal of crochet plushies has made them a viral sensation on TikTok. Videos featuring these adorable creations regularly achieve views ranging from 2.4 million to 3.3 million, showcasing their immense popularity and sparking further interest in the product category.

What’s Next for Crochet Plushies?

Crochet plushies are part of the broader #Amigurumi Meta Trend, which centers on the Japanese art of crocheting small, stuffed yarn creatures. This trend has found a thriving home on TikTok, where a vibrant amigurumi community continues to grow:

• The hashtag #amigurumi has garnered over 1.4 million posts, celebrating everything from design tutorials to finished creations.

• Similarly, #crochetersoftiktok has surpassed 2.2 million posts, reflecting the wide-ranging passion for crochet projects.

This combination of therapeutic value, aesthetic charm, and strong social media presence positions crochet plushies as a standout product in the handmade toy and crafting market. With the continued rise of platforms like TikTok driving awareness and engagement, this trend shows no signs of slowing down.

Trend #3 Light Therapy Wand

Light therapy wands are compact, handheld devices designed to enhance skin appearance by using specific wavelengths of light. These wands often incorporate LED technology to deliver targeted light therapy directly to the skin.

How They Work

Light therapy wands are believed to offer a variety of skin-enhancing benefits, including:

• Collagen Stimulation: Encourages the skin to produce more collagen, helping to improve elasticity and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

• Inflammation Reduction: Light therapy can calm inflamed skin, making it beneficial for conditions like acne or redness.

• Promotes Cell Turnover: Accelerates the natural renewal process of skin cells, leading to a more radiant complexion.

Rising Popularity

The recent surge in interest in light therapy wands can be largely attributed to the innovative startup Solawave. This brand's light therapy wand has gained immense popularity, with searches for "Solawave" increasing by 6,400% over the last five years. On Amazon, Solawave’s device generates an impressive $5,000 in daily revenue, underscoring its success and market appeal.

What’s Next for Light Therapy Wands?

Light therapy wands are part of the broader Face Care Tech Meta Trend, a category focused on high-tech skincare solutions that combine science and convenience. Here are a few other trending products in this space:

• Microcurrent Facial Devices: These tools use electrical currents to stimulate facial muscles and skin cells, helping to tighten skin and smooth out fine lines.

• Electric Gua Sha Facial Massagers: Combining heat and vibration, these devices reduce skin tension, improve circulation, and help minimize wrinkles.

• LED Face Masks: Offering a full-face approach to light therapy, these masks emit various wavelengths of light to target skin concerns such as acne, dullness, and aging.

With the increasing demand for innovative and effective at-home skincare tools, light therapy wands are well-positioned to remain a popular choice among beauty enthusiasts seeking cutting-edge solutions for radiant, healthy skin.

Trend #4 Networking-as-a-Service

Networking as a Service (NaaS) is a cloud-based service model that provides businesses with on-demand access to essential network resources. These resources include virtual routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers, and other networking components, all delivered through the cloud.

How NaaS Works

In essence, NaaS allows businesses to outsource the deployment and management of their network infrastructure. Instead of owning, maintaining, and upgrading physical networking equipment, organizations can pay for services on a subscription basis, similar to other cloud offerings. This approach helps businesses focus on core operations rather than technical infrastructure concerns.

Key Advantages of NaaS

Compared to building and maintaining in-house networking systems, NaaS offers several compelling benefits:

• Scalability: Easily scale networking resources up or down based on changing business needs.

• Flexibility: Rapidly deploy and reconfigure networks to support new applications or locations.

• Cost-Effectiveness: Reduce upfront capital expenditure on hardware and lower ongoing maintenance costs.

• Simplicity: Minimize the complexity of managing intricate network setups by leveraging cloud-based automation and expert services.

Future Growth

NaaS is poised to gain wider adoption as businesses increasingly prioritize agility and cost-efficiency. The market for NaaS is projected to grow by 800% in the next six years, driven by the need for more dynamic and streamlined networking solutions.

What’s Next for NaaS?

Networking as a Service is part of the broader IT Operations (ITOps) Meta Trend, a field focused on managing and optimizing IT infrastructure across hardware, software, networks, and applications. ITOps aims to reduce inefficiencies and improve operational agility.

Why ITOps Matters

Surveys reveal that 80% of organizations are overspending on cloud solutions, largely due to poor acquisition and maintenance strategies. ITOps is emerging as a critical approach to addressing this issue, offering:

• Cost Optimization: Improved resource allocation and spending practices.

• Enhanced Infrastructure Management: Streamlined processes for maintaining and updating IT systems.

As organizations continue to face rising IT complexity and costs, services like NaaS and advancements in ITOps are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of IT infrastructure management.

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Last Week’s Poll Results 📈

Which Trend Excites You?

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Scent Beads (4)

🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ Influence Engineering (3)

🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ Mushroom Decor (3)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Hair Peptide Serum (4)

14 Votes