New Ventures Consumer Insights

Trend - Brands in the more designer end of the tech spectrum are releasing products with stretchable and malleable displays. These use AMOLED technology and are built in such a way that they can be twisted and bent without breaking or stopping the image from being displayed.

Insight - Businesses and startups with more niche product ideas often run into barriers when trying to bring a concept product to reality. These barriers can include cost, scale, or simply the feasibility of the product in general. Many such products in the technology space are limited due to physical limitations regarding battery sizes or screen sizes, amongst other potential issues. In order to address these concerns, designer tech brands are creating malleable displays for unique product ideas.

Trend - Software companies in the gaming space are launching marketplaces designed for game developers. These marketplaces offer assets, such as 3D character models, audio tracks, or maps, to be purchased and licensed for use by other developers, aiming to streamline and decentralize game development.

Insight - Novice game developers could encounter any number of issues when entering the space based on their prior expertise. For example, those with an artistic background may have no trouble drawing their character models and maps, but may struggle with music or 3D animations, while the inverse may be true for another developer. In order to appeal to these developers and alleviate stress where it may arise, gaming software brands are launching marketplaces with licensable assets.

Trend - Tech startups are creating AI-powered apps and companion devices that serve to complete more downsized, simple tasks. These tools do not generate complex creative work or serve as replacements for professional tasks, and instead are used to make regular day-to-day life more efficient.

Insight - Some of the most impressive consumer use cases for generative AI tools relate to creative and professional fields. Tools that can generate lifelike images, videos, stories, or automate workplace tasks took the internet by storm due to their impressive promise. However many consumers believe these creative fields should primarily remain human-created. Brands are catering to these consumers by releasing downsized AI tools that save time in other areas to enable more focus on creative, tasks.

Trend - AI companies are launching platforms that focus on licensing and distributing content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) models. These platforms protect the users of such content, ensuring that the users do not have to worry about legal concerns surrounding the use of AI content.

Insight - As AI-generated content gains popularity in nearly every creative and professional field, consumers who use such content for commercial products, such as advertisements or entertainment media, are increasingly worrying about the gray area zone that AI content currently exists in. In order to appease these consumers and increase the popularity of using AI content in commercial use, companies are launching platforms that handle the legal licensing of such content databases.

Trend - Brands with online storefronts are launching assistants powered by generative AI to improve experiences for customers. These assistants can interpret natural language, and have intimate knowledge of the business' product portfolio, enabling them to suggest well-suited products for consumers' needs.

Insight - One of the prevalent barriers that slow the adoption of online shopping is the lack of in-store assistants. Consumers accustomed to interacting with staff members to find the best product for their needs are less likely to shop online, as online shopping requires consumers to do their research and make all decisions themselves. In order to reduce this barrier, and make online shopping feel more natural for such consumers, brands are launching AI-powered online assistants with 24/7 availability.

Trend - Brands with online storefronts are turning to AI-powered tools to streamline the creation and maintenance of these websites. AI tools are being used to write copy, generate photos, recommend products to customers, and generate promotional content. These tools aim to reduce operational costs.

Insight - Each year, more consumers are gravitating toward shopping online rather than in-stores. In part due to the pandemic, this shift caused retailers to place more focus on optimizing their e-commerce storefront experiences. Retailers want to ensure their websites are as frictionless as possible leading to converted sales. To appeal to these retailers, and to offer a potential solution that does not raise operational costs, AI companies and new startups are launching generative tools for storefronts.

Trend - Brands are making portable espresso makers designed for camping and travel applications. These are durable with long-lasting batteries, often including secondary features such as lights or app connectivity. Portable espresso makers target the traveling on-the-go or outdoorsy adult demographic.

Insight - Many adults today live with busy schedules and only a select amount of free time. As a result, these consumers look to save time and effort in their day wherever possible. For some, this means meal planning and scheduling, while others turn to smart apps and digital solutions to save time and money. Appliance brands and startups are appealing to these consumers, often through crowdfunding, by launching a compact espresso makers designed for portability and reliability,

Trend - Web3 and gaming brands are creating dedicated gaming consoles for cryptocurrency and NFT-integrated games. These consoles connect to players' crypto wallets to streamline withdrawing or using acquired cryptocurrencies on other platforms, thus increasing the attractiveness of web3 gaming.

Insight - The incorporation of web3 elements in video games is polarizing to gamers, with many either fully embracing or rejecting the field. However, some of the barriers that prevent gamers from engaging with web3 features include complexity, volatility, and security concerns. In an attempt to better address these concerns, reduce barriers to entry, and expand the web3 gaming market, brands are designing easy-to-use hardware with embedded security features.

Trend - Companies are launching Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered scribes for the healthcare industry. These AI scribes automate the process of recording verbalized information from the patient and the charting, organizing, and preserving of important details—saving time for healthcare professionals.

Insight - Even in the post-covid world in North America, there is a persistent shortage of healthcare professionals leading to many being overworked. These working conditions reduce the amount of time allotted to each patient, and could potentially lead to some more menial tasks not receiving adequate attention. In recognition of these challenges, companies are launching AI tools and assistants specifically designed to perform documentation-related tasks, such as notetaking and charting patient data.

Trend - Brands in the 3D printing space are releasing materials that prioritize sustainability without compromising on function. The sustainability ranges from including renewable resources, such as wood or plant-based fibres, to using energy-efficient, low-emission production systems.

Insight - 3D printing is continually increasing in popularity not only in industrial applications, but also with hobbyist consumers. However, as the industry continues to expand, it continues to attract more attention from environmental regulators and consumers due to the unrenewable nature of most plastic-based filaments. Brands are recognizing the public and private desires for sustainable materials, and in response are investing in renewable materials and energies.