There are some overlaps with what we are seeing in South Africa; particularly with sectors like Elderly care and Disaster relief and the list focuses exclusively on US trends.  Cape Town’s current drought, for example, has lead to a surge in water start-ups eager to come up with innovative solutions to #DefeatDayZero.

Which of these other ideas do you think could work for the South African market?

  • Canned wine –it made the list because it is believed that the “Total U.S. sales for canned wine jumped to $32.3 million last year-a $29 million increase from 2014, according to Nielsen.” “While the product inside hasn’t changed, the new packaging is attracting young consumers to the wine scene.” He said. Popping open a can of wine might not sound as satisfying as pulling the cork out of a bottle, but the popularity of canned wine has grown rapidly in the past several years. The industry comprises both established brands that have begun packaging their wine in cans and start-ups that exclusively sell canned varietals.
  • Disaster relief- it made the list because, it is believe that: “A spate of natural disasters and manmade emergencies has increased the demand for services and boosted start-up funding.” Start-ups are finding innovative ways to bring food, shelter, and transportation to victims of the hurricanes, wildfires, and tornados that ravaged parts of the U.S. last year, as well as improve safety for those caught in other types of disasters and emergency situations. from bullet proofing technology that can be applied to backpacks or desks, to connecting survivors and organizing transportation, these start-ups are trying to solve some of the nation’s most urgent problems.
  • Beauty tech- why it made the list: “The integration of technology and the beauty business is creating an opportunity for start-ups to innovate both the products consumers buy and how they buy them.” Advancements in technology make it easier for companies to create products specifically tailored to consumers’ preferences, from foundation that perfectly matches a client’s skin to shampoo that will treat her specific hair needs. Additionally, the growth of niche markets within the beauty industry gives start-ups an edge over mass beauty brands.
  • ESports- Why it made the list: “The industry is expected to reach $1.7 billion in 2020, up from $1.1 billion in 2018, according to Super Data Research.” The popularity of competitive online gaming has grown astronomically in the last several years. Nearly three years ago, Amazon paid $970 million for Twitch, a network that broadcasts live video-game events. Since then, the NCAA has announced it would formally analyse the collegiate eSports landscape to determine if it should have a supporting role in the space, and major professional sports leagues have planned eSports tie-ins.
  • Influencer agents-Why it made the list: “The popularity of social-media platforms continues to be a powerful source of revenue for influencers -and for agents in search of a cut.” The popularity of social-media platforms continues to be a powerful source of revenue for influencers–and for agents in search of a cut.
  • Women’s reproductive health care-Why it made the list: “Start-ups are helping women take control of their reproductive health with fertility-tracking apps and other services.” More and more women are taking their reproductive health care into their own hands by using apps to track fertility and shop from companies that sell organic feminine products. The increased number of reproductive-focused start-ups, and their acceptance by female users, is boosting the industry’s profile.
  • Eldery care- why it made the list: “Businesses are finding innovative ways to care for the large population of aging Baby Boomers. “The Pew Research Center estimates about 74 million Baby Boomers will require some level of elderly care soon, and companies are trying new–and in many cases high-tech–ways to provide it. For example, a start-up called Intuition Robotics is developing a robot that can carry on conversations with elderly patients and play them videos, while E-VONE makes shoes packed with sensors that alert loved ones if the patient falls.
  • Alternative-protein food products: Why it made the list: “The technology is now available to meet consumer demand for great-tasting foods that use proteins from non-traditional sources.” Consumers are looking to introduce more proteins into their meals, thanks to trends like the paleo and ketogenic diets. Additionally, technology has caught up to allow for great-tasting and visually pleasing products that appeal to a wider consumer base.