From Therapy to Take-off: 4 Trends Shaping the Human Experience

Welcome back!!

This week’s Lowdown covers a wide orbit, literally and figuratively. From billion-dollar mental health platforms redefining how we access care, to orbital transfer vehicles ready to reshape how we move through space, it’s clear that infrastructure, whether emotional or cosmic, is being reimagined. Meanwhile, TikTok continues to mint cult favourites in overlooked corners of daily life, turning practical tools like luggage cup holders and scar tape into must-have accessories. Whether you're traveling through airports or navigating life, these trends reflect a deeper shift: we’re seeking solutions that're not just functional, but emotionally intelligent, beautifully designed, and just a little bit obsessive.

Listen Now 🎧

Trend #1: Grow Therapy - Mental health meets modern matchmaking

Finding the right therapist can feel like its own kind of therapy. Grow Therapy aims to change that. The platform features over 8,700 vetted mental health professionals, allowing users to filter by location, gender, specialty, treatment methods, accepted insurance, and more. Once they find a match, users can book appointments directly on the platform and attend sessions virtually. On the backend, Grow Therapy handles billing and insurance claims, while also offering pay-as-you-go options starting at $75 per session. With $88M raised in its Series C and a valuation north of $1B, Grow is becoming a central node in the broader shift toward tele-mental health. As over half of mental health care now happens virtually and digital health startups raised $1.4B in 2024 alone, companies like Talkiatry, Brightside, and Alma are all racing to make access faster, cheaper, and more personalized. In a world where nearly 1 in 4 Americans struggle with mental health, platforms like Grow Therapy aren’t just convenient, they’re increasingly essential.

Trend #2: Impulse Space - Space tugs for the satellite economy

While everyone’s been watching rockets blast off, a quieter revolution is unfolding in orbit. Impulse Space is building “space tugs,” orbital transfer vehicles that manoeuvre satellites and payloads into precise positions after they reach space. Their smaller vehicle, Mira, handles last-mile delivery from low Earth orbit to geostationary orbit, while Helios, launching in 2026, promises to carry up to five tons into lunar or planetary orbit in under a day. The company has already secured contracts with the Department of Defence and private partners, and just raised $300M in Series C funding. This momentum reflects a broader shift in space tech, where satellite infrastructure is now the hottest (and most profitable) frontier. With space tech startups pulling in $1.6B globally in Q1 2025, players like Pixxel, Muon Space, and Astranis are proving that small satellites and orbital logistics, not just launch vehicles, will define the next wave of innovation beyond Earth.

Trend #3: Luggage Cup Holders - Convenience clicks into carry-ons

It’s a simple idea with massive traction: attachable luggage cup holders are becoming a staple for travellers who want their hands free and their coffee upright. The most popular version is a dual-cup fabric pouch that slides onto a suitcase handle, secured by toggles or elastic. Some luggage brands are taking it further by building retractable cup holders right into the frame. While it may seem niche, this travel hack has exploded across TikTok with millions of views, part of a growing wave of “comfort essentials” for air travel. With nearly 3 million people flying in and out of U.S. airports daily, and tens of millions avoiding trips each year due to travel hassles, convenience accessories like Trtl pillows, AirFly Pro Bluetooth adapters, and magnetic phone chargers are shaping a new standard for what modern travellers expect. The cup holder may be small, but it’s emblematic of a much bigger trend: making every step of travel feel just a little more seamless.

Trend #4: Silicone Scar Tape - Healing meets hyper-visibility

What was once tucked under bandages is now trending on TikTok. Silicone scar tape, thin, flexible, and often reusable, is being embraced not just for post-surgery healing but as a tool for smoothing wrinkles and fine lines. The tape works by locking in moisture and creating a protective barrier, and can be worn for up to 24 hours a day. Content creators are showing off their before-and-after transformations, and some are even reapplying tape to areas like the forehead or smile lines as part of nightly routines. With over 40 million TikTok posts featuring the trend, it's now part of the growing face-taping meta movement. Whether it’s medical-grade silicone or everyday duct tape, the appeal lies in the low-cost, DIY approach to beauty and recovery. Brands like Frownies have capitalized on the aesthetic-meets-functional appeal, offering targeted SKUs for different facial zones. In a beauty market increasingly driven by visibility, even the healing process has become something to show and share.

Last Week’s Poll Results 📈

Which Trend Excites You The Most?

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Sublime Systems (3)

🟩🟩🟩🟩⬜️ Hearth Display (1)

🟩🟩🟩🟩⬜️ Data Lakehouse (7)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Bubble Letter Necklaces (5)

16 Votes