With the news breaking that 2019 was a record year for <\/span>European<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>UK startups<\/span><\/a>\u201a it has never been a better time to be a founder. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n This stellar performance has been driven particularly by innovations in fintech\u201a AI and clean energy\u201a all of which have been the UK\u2019s best-performing startup sectors in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite this explosion in the market\u201a there are still enormous opportunities for good ideas that are combined with real market needs and solid execution.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Over the past 12 months\u201a we have worked with a range of amazing new businesses\u201a each attacking unique problems in areas such as <\/span>healthcare<\/span><\/a> and fintech. The common factor between them all is their ability to spot emerging trends and react to clear gaps in the market.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n To help inspire and guide the next generation of successful startups\u201a we asked founders and industry experts on their top startup predictions for the coming decade. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Spoiler alert<\/strong> – there are some clear themes that are touched on almost across the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Henry Williams writer and researcher for Startups.co.uk<\/a>:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n “The transport sector is one of the worst offenders when it comes to the environment\u201a responsible for 33% of CO2 emissions in the UK in 2018.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n But with an economy that relies on the movement of goods and people around the country\u201a and consumers willing to pay more for eco-friendly products and services\u201a we\u2019re seeing a boom in sustainable transport innovation\u201a and there\u2019s plenty of room for new entrants to the market.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n E<\/span>nvironmentally-friendly courier services Green Courier and Ecofleet\u201a and Octopus Electric\u201a which runs a ‘Go Green Car Scheme’ are all early examples of this trend.”<\/span> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Wil Benton\u201a Venture & Ecosystem Director at ATI Boeing Accelerator<\/a>\u201a a programme for startups building technologies for the UK aerospace industry:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe UK and Global Aviation industry will have to continue to lead on responding to environmental imperatives – 2% of human-induced carbon dioxide emissions come from the aviation industry\u201a according to ATAG (Air Transport Action Group).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n There will also be a huge push to accelerate low to no emission flights. Flight shaming poses a serious risk to growth and aircraft technology must respond immediately if it is to be sustainable. It\u2019s also likely the industry will keep investing in more sustainable manufacturing\u201a alternatives to kerosene with lower net carbon impact\u201a and in more energy-efficient aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The future of flight will be at the centre of discussion in 2020\u201a but what will that be is still up in the air. There is a need for affordable air vehicles that are electric\u201a autonomous\u201a safe\u201a and able to operate in congested urban environments and beyond.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Vertical take-off vehicles\u201a like drones\u201a and small\u201a electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) passenger vehicles could be a $100 billion market in the United States alone\u201a with the potential to reach $500 billion globally. Aircraft orders should also nearly double in the next ten years\u201a so big corporates need to keep up with demand while considering costs and the environment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Our very own Brannan Coady\u201a CEO\u201a hedgehog lab:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe biggest startups to emerge in 2020 will likely be focussed around sustainability. As consumers and business grow more aware of their impact on the planet\u201a solutions will emerge to enable both to manage and mitigate their impact\u201a likely with innovative solutions that still enable profitability.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Healthcare will also continue its march towards digitisation\u201a and I would anticipate an increased number of startups to look to fill in the gaps that currently prevent all all-encompassing remote healthcare provision\u201a enabling cross-country consultation and healthcare provision.”<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Kenny Alegbe\u201a Co-Founder and CEO of HomeHero<\/a>\u201a a digital home manager making running a home easy:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn 2020 companies will continue to weave transparency into their marketing strategies – peeling back the curtain to show the humans behind the brands.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Consumers are starting to making purchasing decisions that include looking at the reputation of the company across diversity\u201a mental health\u201a inclusion\u201a and wellness.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n We’re moving from looking at how companies invest in CSR and community\u201a to how they manage themselves at home – their teams\u201a their practices\u201a what they stand for.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Startups will look to invest more in bringing good practices to light (or creating them)\u201a as well as making strategic hires in these fields – and marketing this!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Chris Milligan\u201a CEO of Adepto<\/a>\u201a a talent management system for organisations:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe are seeing a move towards personalisation on all levels. It started with consumers and legislation like GDPR. The next decade will see this enter the workplace\u201a with more awareness of the amount and types of data that employers collect – and how individual workers can benefit from this. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n The more data an employer has on their workers\u201a the more valuable and tailored the employee experience. From offering relevant work opportunities like stretch assignments that align with their future career goals\u201a to learning pathways and progression that matches their ambitions. Creating personalised career paths that effectively navigate incoming workforce changes like automation\u201a future-proofing careers and ensuring nobody becomes unemployable or irrelevant. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n To achieve this\u201a organisations will turn to technology to effectively track and measure skills\u201a intelligently matching workers to the right projects and learning opportunities. I expect to see a greater focus on individual skills and \u2018bite-sized\u2019 work that no longer hinges on job titles. Instead\u201a people will complete work in a way that suits them – working on projects and tasks that align with their skills and interests.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Tushar Agarwal\u201a CEO and Co-founder of <\/strong>HubbleHQ<\/a>:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\nStartup Trends and Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n