THE NEW NEXT BIG THINGS
The commercial prospects that emerge from global events don’t have to be cynical attempts to cash in on misery – they can offer shrewd ways to improve people’s lives. So, wanting for a business idea? Here are eight places to start.
1. VR for WFH
We don’t need to tell you about the limitations of Zoom calls, but working from home isn’t going anywhere soon.
e nascent solution? Using virtual reality to bring people together in a 3D “space” where they can make eye contact, interact and knock around ideas on a virtual whiteboard. If you don’t make the go-to platform, someone else will.
2. The robots are coming
A massive uptick in internet shopping, plus ever-increasing environmental nudges aimed at reducing urban tra c, mean that robots for logistics and delivery are becoming a big opportunity. Whether it’s a drone ying through the sky, a sidewalk bot delivering a parcel or a packing droid loading a van, analyst Idtechex says that the total market could be worth R1.3 trillion by 2030.
3. #Vanlife
While the economy is still in the doldrums, budget airlines are going under, and fear of international lockdowns are deterring people from booking foreign holidays, the a ordable, self-su cient option of an (Instagrammable)
RV road trip is increasingly appealing to millennials. But entrepreneurs looking to capitalise will have to act fast.
4. Plant-based meat
A recent survey by e Vegan Society found that during lockdown 20% of people in the UK deliberately cut their meat consumption; likewise, polling company Mintel found that 55% plan to keep up the new cooking habits they’ve acquired. Right now, the chatter around plant-based meat centres on Impossible and Beyond. Could a new startup take them on?
5. Education 2.0
ere are millions of parents concerned about the fact their o spring have missed almost half a year of teaching – and many are willing to throw money at the problem. e good news is those children are all used to learning over Zoom, meaning your business can deliver more lessons per day. But only if you build it.
6. The esports goldrush
e rapidly growing esports industry accelerated during lockdown – the market intelligence company Newzoo forecasts that global revenues will grow to R25 billion by 2023 – as professional sports teams branch into gaming as an alternative to real-world competitions. ere’s a captive audience here and commercial partnership opportunities (staging, promotion, sponsorship, hospitality) are manifold.
7. The telehealth revolution
Like many emerging trends, telehealth (remote video appointments with healthcare professionals) has massively accelerated over the past year, for obvious reasons. ere are now many players globally, from Babylon Health in the UK to Teladoc in the US, but the market is young and not yet saturated.
Your move.