Artificial intelligence, augmented reality, cryptocurrencies and, of course, the blockchain are the most popular startup trends this year. We have chosen several startup trends and predictions you should be looking out for. These predictions allow you to keep up with the trends and helps you to focus on your long-term plans.
Healthcare Industry
The very low productivity and an unnecessary bureaucracy remain the most common problems in the medical industry all over the world. Startups created for solving these tasks will definitely be in the trend for the next few years. For example, healthcare apps for doctor online appointments, emergency calling apps or electronic medical record-keeping solutions.
These apps would allow doctors to monitor the patient’s health conditions anywhere in the world. Using “big data,” the medical sector will be able to predict success of a treatment, frequency of repeat visits to healthcare facilities or even a reactions to inoculations or certain drugs.
Virta Treatment is the first clinically-proven approach to reverse type 2 diabetes and other chronic metabolic diseases without the use of medications or surgery. A proper diet and constant contact with a doctor via Virta Treatment’s app have enhanced the quality of patients’ life, many of whom stopped taking insulin shots. Required investments — $ 37 million.
Aptinyx Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company discovering and developing transformative therapies for challenging disorders of the brain and nervous system. Aptinyx has a proven platform for discovery of novel compounds that work through a unique mechanism to modulate — rather than block or over-activate — NMDA receptors and enhance synaptic plasticity, the foundation of neural cell communication. Required investments— $ 70 million.
VR / AR and Machine Learning in Education
Tech companies working with augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies raised more than $3 billion in venture funding in 2017. VR / AR technologies remain among the strongest trends of investing — they are in great demand in schools and universities. Also, 2018 will be the year of introduction into educational startups of machine learning and analytics. Hege Tollerud, CEO of Oslo EdTech Cluster, is confident that the main trend of this year should be the availability of education, “regardless of time, place, platform, space and age.’’
Withfrank.org — is a platform that helps students to get financial aid for training. Required investments — $ 10 million.
Hiclark.com is a virtual assistant for teachers. The platform helps teachers to manage all their tutors, track session payments, plan lessons, receive payments, as well as improve the health of a tutoring company. Required investments — $ 3,5 million.
Big Data, Cyber Defense and AI in Transport
Augmented reality, printing of automobile components on 3D printers, self-directed transport are the most promising trends for startup makers in 2018. There is also a place for “big data” with artificial intelligence which allows manufacturers to protect from hacking car computers and anticipate more accurately their possible breakdowns.
Deepmap.ai is a startup that provides the world’s best HD mapping and localization services for self-guided vehicles. Required investments — $ 32 million.
Voyage.auto — is a service of self-driving car. The project started as a service for clients of California based elderly home care. The exact amount of investment is not disclosed.
Blockchain and AI in Financial Sector
Blockchain has made a huge impact on the financial industry, making possible fast and secure transactions, the ability to raise funds through ICOs, decentralization of services. In 2018, artificial intelligence and “big data” will promote improvement of existing services, making them more understandable, faster and more friendly to use.
Lemonade.com is an insurance service where managers and paper chase are replaced by an app. While a client does not use insurance, part of his money is transferred to a charitable institutions, selected by him in the app settings. Investments — $ 180 million.
Wealthfront.com is an app that analyzes your social media accounts for developing a plan around your personal goals and investing your money to help achieve them. Investments — $ 75 million.
Healthy Food, Delivery of Products & Ready Meals
Healthy food and home delivery food are the main nutrition trends for 2018. Another trend is the maximum reduction of producer-consumer chain in the food production industry. A shorter cycle will allow consumers to eating quality products without waiting for their appearance in supermarkets.
Teabox.com — is a direct-to-door online tea delivery service. No resale and distributors — you order tea and get it straight from the best India and Nepal plantations. Investments — $ 14 million.
Daily-harvest.com — is a frozen meal delivery service with a highly customizable array of healthy, tasty, and budget-friendly ready-to-eat dishes. The service will take a liking to those who want to eat healthy, but have no time for it. Investments — $ 43 million.
"Big Data" and Cybersecurity
Modernity has spawned not only high technologies, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and blockchain, but also a cybercrime. The number of cyberthreats increases as the number of startups focused on cybersecurity. Advanced “big data” use and ensuring their security can be considered a trend for startups in 2018.
Obsidiansecurity.com is a startup that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning powers to protect corporate customers’ data from hacking. Investments — $ 9.5 million.
Collibra.com is a cross-organizational data governance platform that delivers openness and freedom. It breaks down traditional data silos and opens up organizational data so all users can find the data they need, collaborate on it, and easily understand its meaning. Investments — $ 108 million.
