From Data Storytelling to MedicalTok: 4 Fast-Growing Trends Driving Innovation

Welcome Back!!!

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.

Trend #1 Data Storytelling

Data storytelling is the art of translating raw data into meaningful insights through engaging narratives and visuals. Combining analytics with storytelling techniques transforms complex, often overwhelming data sets into easily digestible insights, making it more straightforward for businesses to make informed decisions. This method blends traditional storytelling with data visualization, helping companies understand the numbers and see the bigger picture.

The rise in popularity of data storytelling is primarily driven by its ability to make data actionable. As businesses generate vast amounts of information, understanding the patterns and insights hidden within becomes challenging. Data storytelling bridges this gap by turning raw numbers into a coherent story, making it more accessible and understandable. Additionally, advancements in tools like Tableau and Yellowfin have incorporated features specifically for data storytelling, making it easier for companies to visualize and communicate insights effectively. This integration of storytelling capabilities within analytics tools has only accelerated interest in the approach.

The growth trajectory for data storytelling is expected to be substantial. Gartner predicts that by 2025, 75% of all data consumption will be through data storytelling. Data narratives will become the primary medium businesses interpret and act on information.

What’s Next

Data storytelling is part of the broader "Wasted Data Utilization" meta trend. Despite the significant volumes of data collected, around 75% goes unused, representing a massive lost opportunity. Moreover, 60% of analytics investments are wasted because the insights derived are not effectively implemented. This underlines why 93% of organizations plan to increase spending to enhance their data and analytics capabilities. As a result, we’re seeing growing adoption of innovative approaches like AI-powered analytics, advanced data visualization, and improved storytelling frameworks that help organizations maximize the value of their data investments.

Trend #2 Biotin Spray

Biotin spray is a specialized cosmetic product infused with biotin, also known as vitamin B7, a vital water-soluble nutrient that supports the health of skin, hair, and nails. As a topical treatment, biotin spray is applied directly to the scalp, usually once daily, making it an easy addition to any hair care routine. This daily application allows biotin to penetrate the scalp, potentially strengthening hair roots, promoting growth, and improving overall hair quality. Over time, consistent use may lead to thicker, shinier, and more resilient hair.

Biotin sprays have gained significant traction on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, a trending topic in the hair care community. With videos racking up over 253K views, the buzz around biotin sprays is growing fast. This surge in popularity is translating to impressive sales figures, as seen with one leading biotin spray generating approximately $23K in monthly revenue on Amazon.

What’s Next

Biotin sprays are part of the rapidly growing "HairTok" meta trend. This movement, centered around the #hairtok hashtag, has amassed over 3.8 million posts on TikTok, turning the platform into a central hub for hair care conversations and product discovery. Direct-to-consumer (DTC) hair care brands increasingly leverage this community to drive awareness and sales, making HairTok an essential marketing strategy.

Here are a few examples of trending HairTok products:

• Heatless curlers: These innovative rods offer a heat-free method for creating curls and waves. Users wrap sections of hair around the rod, securing it with clips or scrunchies. After a few hours, the result is beautifully wavy hair, all without heat damage.

• Rosemary oil: Extracted from the rosemary plant, this oil is a rising star in the hair care space thanks to its association with hair growth. With over 205 million views on TikTok, rosemary oil is becoming a go-to treatment for hair thinning and scalp health, often applied directly to the scalp or mixed with other hair care products.

• Hair peptide serums: These serums are rich in active peptides and designed for daily use on both scalp and hair. By strengthening the hair fiber and improving scalp health, they contribute to shinier, fuller-looking hair.

HairTok’s influence is reshaping the hair care industry, driving interest in innovative products like biotin sprays and contributing to a broader trend of natural, results-driven hair care solutions.

Trend #3 Embedded Insurance

Accenture defines embedded insurance as "any insurance that can be purchased within the commercial transaction of another product or service." This concept allows consumers to seamlessly add insurance coverage while purchasing a primary product or service. While embedded insurance isn’t a brand-new concept—early examples include life insurance being offered with airline ticket purchases—it has recently seen a surge in interest due to its growing presence in e-commerce.

Today, embedded insurance is becoming a common part of the online shopping experience, enabling customers to add protection plans during checkout. For example, when buying concert tickets online, customers may have the option to purchase ticket insurance, which provides refunds in case of unexpected cancellations. This kind of web-enabled embedded insurance is gaining momentum as it offers convenience and peace of mind for consumers while also serving as an additional revenue stream for online retailers.

InsurTech startups like Zego, Element, and Cover Genius are driving the rise of embedded insurance. These companies are developing innovative solutions that make it easy for e-commerce businesses to integrate insurance offerings into their digital platforms. As these technologies advance, the market for embedded insurance is projected to expand significantly, with forecasts predicting a sixfold growth by 2030.

What’s Next

Embedded insurance is part of the broader "Embedded Finance" meta trend, which is transforming how financial services are delivered. Embedded finance extends beyond insurance, encompassing tools like embedded payments, lending, and investments—all of which can be integrated into non-financial products and services.

Search volume for "embedded finance" has grown by 856% over the past five years, highlighting this trend's increasing interest and adoption. Some venture capitalists describe embedded finance as the next big fintech wave, with the potential to turn nearly every company into a financial services provider.

Highnote is one example of a startup in charge of embedded finance, offering solutions that enable companies to integrate financial services into their offerings. Other popular tools include embedded investments, which allow users to invest directly from a third-party app, and embedded payments, which enable seamless transactions within various digital experiences.

With the potential to become a $7 trillion industry by 2030, embedded finance is poised to reshape insurance and the entire landscape of financial services. As consumer demand for integrated, one-click financial solutions continues to rise, embedded insurance and finance will be essential components of the digital economy.

Trend #4 Scar Tape

Scar tapes are adhesive, chemical-free tapes designed to support the healing of scar tissue by keeping the affected skin tight and protected. This approach helps reduce the appearance of scars while also speeding up the recovery process. The tapes create a controlled environment over the scar, which minimizes moisture loss, reduces irritation, and helps the skin heal more effectively.

Consumers are particularly drawn to scar tapes made from silicone, a material known for its proven effectiveness in scar management. Silicone scar tapes offer a significant advantage—they don’t stick aggressively to the skin, meaning they can be removed painlessly without pulling or peeling, making them suitable for sensitive skin. This gentle adherence is crucial for users needing to wear or replace the tapes frequently. Demand for silicone scar tape has surged, as evidenced by a 355% increase in searches over the past 24 months. Reflecting this interest, one brand of silicone scar tape is generating approximately $130K in monthly sales on Amazon, highlighting the strong consumer interest.

What’s Next

Scar tapes are part of the growing "MedicalTok" meta trend. This trend encompasses a wide array of medical products, and self-care tips shared on TikTok, where a vibrant community of users is dedicated to at-home medical advice. Approximately 20% of Americans now turn to TikTok for health advice before consulting with a doctor, underscoring the platform's influence on medical advice.

The hashtag #medicaltiktok, which has amassed over 255K posts, is home to various discussions on at-home treatments, ranging from skincare solutions like scar tapes to broader medical advice on managing chronic conditions, minor injuries, and overall wellness. As this community grows, scar tapes and other at-home medical solutions will likely increase interest and adoption, driven by a consumer preference for DIY healthcare and non-invasive treatments.

⚡️ RECOMMENDATIONS ⚡️

Last Week’s Poll Results 📈

Which Trends Most Excite You?

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Emotion AI (4)

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Botox Serum (1)

🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ Colostrum Supplement (3)

🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ Wide Toe Shoes (3)

11 Votes