Startups tend to follow new trends and new technologies. In the early 2000s, we saw loads of startups focusing on social media and this revolution led to things like Facebook and X which are now part of daily life for a lot of people. The new technology and faster internet connections around the world led to more people wanting to socialize online.

We saw similar trends with dating apps as people realized the potential for these apps to become huge. Now, there are multiple options for those who want to meet and mingle.

2024 is a different prospect with a lot of different startups operating in a changing Web 3.0 world. Companies are looking to make the most of innovations in technology and there are lots of interesting new ideas and new ways of doing things in the 2020s. This is the era where we’ve seen AI become mainstream and other breakthroughs that people have talked about for decades or even centuries – startups are definitely looking to jump in and take advantage of these trends.

Cryptocurrencies and Fintech

People have experienced this firsthand. The way we all handle our finances has changed and people are becoming more familiar with things like Android’s Google Pay and Apple Pay as ways to pay for their daily coffee or just about anything else.

Startups are still launching financial technology and Fintech concepts all the time but these industries do have a lot of existing companies. Bitcoin has become a massive industry in itself. Crypto startups often exist within other industries that have existed for a long time.

One industry that quickly took cryptocurrency and fintech and ran with new ways of paying was crypto casinos. Casinos first went online in the 90s which was way before crypto existed. They then went mobile during the smartphone revolution and when cryptocurrencies changed payments some casinos made this the primary method of payment. New crypto casinos cropped up to allow people to play games and people were able to play real money slots without having to use traditional flat currencies. Cryptocurrencies provide a way for people to transfer their funds into their accounts without having to use dollars. It also provides them with lower fees in a lot of cases and extra security functions.

Cryptocurrency options are growing all the time and we even see things like meme coins now that have reached high market caps. Companies using cryptocurrencies and accepting crypto can innovate in their own ways.

AI

No way could we leave AI out of the discussion. GPT is an example of an AI but we’re still searching for breakthroughs in this field and people are trying to create the first widespread Artificial General Intelligence – though Artificial Intelligence (AI) is hardly a newcomer to the tech world, it’s proving to be an unstoppable force for startups.

Most industries have uses for artificial intelligence. Applications are virtually endless and it has already driven breakthroughs in areas like healthcare.

Companies are popping up everywhere offering specialized AI-driven solutions like algorithms for detecting early-stage diseases or even tools that automate research. AI startups are also venturing into creative territories, such as developing AI that can generate music or create visual art. This technology’s versatility and potential for innovation mean that AI will remain a hotbed for startups for many years to come.

Going Green

Green and eco-friendly options are very important for the greater good of humankind. Sounds dramatic but it is certainly important. Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword among industry pros it’s a movement that’s influencing business decisions worldwide. Startups focused on the green economy are sprouting up everywhere, driven by increasing awareness of climate change and consumer demand for eco-friendly products and services. The clean energy sector is experiencing a surge of innovation, with new companies working on advancements in solar power, wind energy, and battery storage.

Sustainability is important food and agriculture. Startups are experimenting with plant-based proteins and more including vertical farming to meet the world’s growing appetite in more sustainable ways. Startups like Too Good to Go are even encouraging people to reduce waste by buying leftover food from kitchens and businesses. Even packaging is getting a makeover, with companies producing biodegradable and compostable alternatives to traditional plastics. Huge industry giants are also acquiring businesses such as Microsoft’s recent carbon offset efforts that helped them to become a more environmentally-friendly business.

Conclusion

Sometimes startups can crop up in the most unexpected ways and some industries seem to arrive in the world’s consciousness out of nowhere!

That said, we definitely see patterns. Like the first newspapers after the printing press, a lot of the new startup trends come from a breakthrough in the technology we have available. AI is a huge example of this and there are hundreds of different artificial intelligence companies that are being founded in 2024.