Digital connectivity and an increased interest in community-based initiatives has helped unconventional and creative start-up ideas blossom into successful businesses.
Start-ups have begun to disrupt traditional practices by offering new approach to older and comparably inconvenient systems. Intriguing business ventures such as 'Future Family' offer individuals affordable and connected fertility services, at a fraction of the cost of the traditional process. Meanwhile, 'Thriva' is providing those in need with at-home blood testing kits, which adds a much-needed element of convenience to one's healthcare routine.
Creative companies that may initially seem outlandish take unconventional approaches to serve as solutions to societal problems, such as the 'Crow Bar,' a Dutch-based start-up that's training crows to pickup trash throughout the city center. On an equally unorthodox note, a London-based start-up is creating unique branding for major companies in the form of personalized perfumes.
The connectivity provided by the Internet has enabled start-ups to gain traction in today's business world, as the companies continue to take creative risks to solve visible gaps or problems within the market.
25 Creative Start-Up Concepts
25
Shipping Container Suites
'Poshtel' Pop-Ups Will Be Available for Rent Through Airbnb
24
Gamified AR Workouts
ARX Turns One's Exercise Routine into a Challenging Game
23
Urban Tree Installations
This German Start-Up Aims to Reduce Pollution Using Vertical Planters
22
Crop-Growing Shipping Containers
Freight Farm Grows the Equivalent of Two Acres of Farm Land
21
Vegan Meal Vending Machines
leCupboard Offers a Healthy, Plant-Based Vending Machine for Food
20
Augmented Reality Menus
'Kabaq' Offers 3D Renderings of Restaurant Menu Items
19
Bird-Based City Cleaning Initiatives
The 'Crow Bar' Teaches Crows to Clean Up Cigarette Butts
18
Kitty Fitness Trackers
PetMio's Collar and Bowl Help Owners Track Their Pets' Activity
17
At-Home Blood Tests
'Thriva' Offers Home Blood Testing Kits to Track and Improve Health
16
Unbranded Beauty Essential Lines
Brandless Has Added 15 New Beauty Products to Its Affordable Line
15
Voice-Controlled Mattresses
Eight's Smart Mattress Collection is Now Compatible with Amazon Alexa
14
AI-Enhanced Meals
Plant Jammer Was Created to Diversify Danish People's Meal Choices
13
Affordable Fertility Start-Ups
'Future Family' Offers Women Affordable Reproductive Alternatives
12
Eye-Strengthening VR Systems
Vivid Vision is Replacing More Traditional Forms of Vision Therapy
11
Brand-Focused Fragrance Start-Ups
Experimental Perfume Club Helps Companies Advertise with Scent
10
Mobile Healthcare Start-Ups
The 'Forward' Healthcare Start-Up Offers Preventative Care
9
Assistive Art-Affording Services
The 'Art Money' Service Gives Loans To Help You Buy Art
8
Autonomous Rideshare Services
Lyft and Drive.ai are Offering a New Way for People to Get Around
7
Rideshare-Ready Face Masks
Cargo-Equipped Ubers are Gifting Complimentary Korean Face Masks
6
Urine-Analyzing Postcards
'Testcard' Can Determine Whether or Not One Has a UTI
5
Conductive Dough Toys
Dough Universe's 'Electro Dough' for Kids Teaches STEAM Principles
4
Food-Assessing Imaging Apps
The ImpactVision App Uses Hyperspectral Images to Fight Food Waste
3
Digital Nomad Rental Housing
Startup Belooga Makes Home Searches For Remote Workers Easier
2
Lab-Grown Leather Products
'Modern Meadow' Sells Bioengineered Leather Clothing and Textiles
1
Athlete-Focused Sleep Trackers
Rise Science is a Personal Sleeping Coach for Elite Athletes
Related Ideas
Intelligent Organizational Backpacks
The 'Moovy' Bag Doubles as a Mobile Work Station
Bottomless Electric Aircraft
The AJet-100 Is Cleaner, Greener and Features a Stunning Glass Floor
Scent-Emitting Hair Dryers
The 'Delicious Dryer' is Equipped with Scent-Infused Cartridges
Curvacious Wooden Dog Beds
The 'Covo Pet Bed' Was Designed for Modern Interiors
Child-Centric Shadow Designs
Darkness Design Makes it Easier For Kids to Play With Shadow Designs
Protective Travel Wallets
The Talonport Passport Holder Wallet Offers RFID Protection and More
Story Experience Creators
*no campfire required Designs Tech-Forward Immersive Experiences
Health-Centric Baby Accessories
Smilo's Baby Products Were Designed by Dentists and Engineers
Food-Preserving Pet Bowls
The 'Mario Feeder' Automatic Pet Bowl Provides Peace of Mind for Owners
Architecturally Focused Home Rentals
'Plans Matter' is a Rental Platform for Architecture Lovers
Themed Adult-Only Hotels
'Grand Portals Nous' Features Five Uniquely Themed Rooms
Hands-Free Breastfeeding Lamps
The Angel Ring Can Be Worn Around a Parent's Arm
Color-In Car Rentals
These Hertz Rental Cars Feature Coloring Book Upholstery to Entertain Kids
Protective Anti-Pollution Infant Cushions
Brizi Ensures That Infants Breathe in Clean Air
In-Car Vending Machines
Cargo Lets Uber Drivers Earn Extra Money Selling In-Car Essentials
Feline-Friendly Tiny Homes
This Pet-Friendly Home Lets Your Cat Enjoy Mobile Living
Intelligent Vending Machines
Coca-Cola's AI Vending Machine Brings Joy to Purchasing a Drink
Maximalist Furniture Catalogs
IKEA's Newest Catalog Fully Embraces a Maximalist Aesthetic
Design-Conscious Pet Furniture
The Vesper Cat Furniture Pieces are Elegant Yet Practical
Discreet Baby Monitors
This Device Warns Parents If Their Baby Experiences an Irregular Heart Beat
Maternity-Tracking Wearables
The 'Bumpe' Keeps an Eye on Infant Health in the Womb
Dog-Specific Loyalty Programs
The Biscuit Smart Collar Offers Dogs an Optimal In-Store Experience
Luxurious Adult-Only Hotels
The 'Grand Hotel Portals Nous' Loans Its Guests a BMW for Their Stay
Natural Body Care Duos
Glossier's 'Body Hero' Products Leave Skin Looking Dewy and Moisturized
Discreet AR Wearables
This Innovative Ring Design Allows AR to Be Easily Integrated into Life
Mother-Connecting Friendship Apps
The Peanut App is Helping Moms Find Like-Minded Friends
Natural Litter Subscriptions
Litterbox's Service Simplifies One-Time and Monthly Ordering
Low-Cost Household Products
'Public Goods' Offers All of Its Minimally Branded Products at Cost
Hammock Pet Beds
The Joey Pet Sofa is a Comfortable, Convertible Canine Lounger
Reinvented Wedge-Shaped Supercars
The Kode 0 is a Modern Tribute to Supercars from the 1970s
The Stigmatized Stay-at-Home Mom
Ben Young Considers Unfair Prejudice in His Talk on Moms
Modern Ceramic Dog Bowls
Prunkhund's Handmade Ceramic Bowl Collection Includes Matte Finishes
Smart Body Fat Scales
The Asakuki Body Fat Scale Calculates Important Health Metrics
Dairy-Free Milk Deliveries
'Mylkman' Delivers Plant-Based Alternatives in Reusable Glass Bottles
Modular Barbecue Grills
The 'Uber-Q' Portable Barbecue Grills Focus on Convenience
Remote Mountainous Retreats
Deplar Farm is Hidden Away in Iceland's Troll Peninsula
Makeup Remover Pens
LashFood's Chamomile Makeup Eraser Perfects Brows with Precision
Online Mattress Pop-Up Spaces
Casper Pop-Up Stores Will Be Appearing Throughout the US in 2018
$1 Cosmetic Retailers
'Miss A' Offers All Beauty Products on Its Site for Just One Dollar
Water-Conserving Sprinkler Systems
The 'Sprinkl' System Has an Autonomous Watering Functionality
Cafe Brand Grocery Shops
Blank Slate Coffee + Kitchen is Creating the 'Blank Slate Gourmet Market'
Gel-Based Facial Mists
Elf Cosmetics' Gel Mist is Packed With
Branded Boutique Hotels
The West Elm Hotel Will Double as a Furniture Showroom
Sustenance-Dispensing Fridges
Foodles is a Connected Refrigerator and Vending Machine in One
Absorbent Canine Doormat Towels
The Soggy Doggy Microfiber Dog Towels Absorb Five-Times More Water
Sweet Potato Lattes
This Korean Specialty is Becoming Popular in Other Asian Countries
Connected DIYer Tape Measures
The Plott 'Cubit' Tape Measure Offers Advanced Features for DIYers
Single-Serve Frozen Yogurt Makers
'Wim' Makes It Easy to Prepare Frozen Yogurt at Home for One
Printed Mouthguard Kits
Damage Control Helps Consumers Create Tailor-Made Mouthguards
Jail-Themed Thai Hotels
The Sook Station Hotel Incarcerates Guests in Cells for the Night
Autism-Specific Smart Glasses
The Brain Power Autism System Has Gamified Life Skills Training
Colorful Parrot Portraiture
Brad Wilson's Series Shows Every Detail of Stunning Tropical Birds
Cauldron-Shaped Bath Bombs
Waywardalchemy's 'Enchanted Elixir' Bath Bombs are Great for Halloween
Italian Cuisine QSR Sandwiches
The Starbucks Chicken Caprese Panini is Here for a Limited Time
Modular Public Seating
Brad Ascalon's 'Ascent' Collection for Mitab Fuses Comfort and Convenience
Millennial Pink Candle Lines
Soohyang's Scented Candles are Available in an All-Pink Iteration
Spicy Vietnamese Cocktails
'The Bloody Dragon' from Asian Box is Spiced with Sriracha
Bird-Friendly Seed Bouquets
The Bird Seed Bouquet is a Decorative Way to Attract Avian Visitors
Magnetic Face Masks
Elf Cosmetics' Magnetic Mask Kit Lifts Away Impurities on the Face
Disguised Rabbit Hutches
Designer Ariele Alasko Hides This Pet Abode in Plain Sight
Fresh Produce Startups
Fresh Range's System Drastically Reduces the Time from Farm to Table
Singer-Designed Headwear Lines
Rihanna Recently Dropped a New Series of PUMA Accessories
On-Demand Massage Services
'Soothe' Will Send a Five-Star Masseuse to Your Home or Office
Artisanal Tortilla QSRs
Vancouver's 'Chancho Tortilleria' Uses Corn Sourced Directly from Mexico
Pain-Distracting VR Games
The SnowWorld VR Game Treats Pain More Effectively Than Morphine
Omni-Industry AR Headsets
The Lenovo DaystAR Augmented Reality Headset is Multifunctional
Naturally Inspired Perfumes
'Extraits de Cologne' Products Contain Up to 90% Natural Ingredients
Senior Ridesharing Features
Uber Now Allows You to Request a Ride for Friends and Elderly Family
In-Store Aromatherapy Bars
Muji Introduced an 'Aroma Bar' to Selfridges' London Flagship
Child-Friendly Pollution Detectors
'Urban Canaries' Teach Kids About the Dangers of Unclean Air
AR Messaging Apps
'Neon' is a Social Messenger App That Lets Users Share Digital Neon Text
Augmented Reality Implements
These Mixed Reality Tools Draw the Gap Between Physical and Virtual
Savory Trail Mixes
Lark Ellen Farm's Trail Mix Bags Boast Flavors Like 'Cumin Crunch'
Virtual Owner's Manuals
The Hyundai Genesis Virtual Guide Has Moved Out of the Glovebox
Zippered Fitted Bed Sheets
The 'QuickZip' Fitted Sheets are Simple to Remove and Wash
In-App Ride Share Chats
Uber's New Chat Function Simplifies Passenger-Driver Interactions
Hotel Bath Collection Concepts
These Hotel Bath Items Were Inspired by Ace Hotels
Home-Sharing Down Payments
Loftium Offers Down Payments in Exchange for Airbnb Rentals
Augmented Social Apps
The 'Mirage World' App Uses AR to Connect Users Through Tangible Objects
Theme Park-Branded Rideshares
The Lyft 'Minnie Van' Will Drive Passengers to Disney Theme Parks
Massaging Mattress Bases
The Purple PowerBase Offers a Zero-Gravity Sleep Experience
Universally Priced CPGs
Brandless Offers Common Household Goods Priced at $3 Each
AR Jersey Apps
The Kings + Golden 1 Center App Shares the Look of the Team's New Nike Jerseys
Protein-Rich Lentil Powders
'LENTEIN' is a Protein-Rich Powder Made with Water Lentils
Water-Collecting Tent Designs
This Tent Features Built-in Grooves and a Reservoir with a Tap
Gender Neutral Fragrance Concepts
Nang Li Reimagines How People Engage with Fragrances
Rebranded Botanical Remedies
Dr Bach's Herbal Remedies Now Have a Redesigned Brand Identity
Red Bean-Based Desserts
The South Korean Cafe Chain Nunsongyee Offers Dynamic Bingsus
Sci-Fi Swimwear Lines
The Star Trek Trekini Swimwear Line Boasts Retro-Inspired Bathing Suits
Unconventional Spa Pop-Ups
The Spa of Unconcsious Desires Will Be Hosted at the Mondrian Hotel
Ultra-Light Air Fresheners
'Febreze ONE' Freshens Without Heavy Perfumes, Aerosols and Dyes
Plant-Based Protein Smoothies
The Olly Slim Protein Smoothie is High in Fiber and Low in Sugar
Abstract Gold-Plated Light Fixtures
Sergi Ventura's Abstract Lights Feature Gold-Plated Designs
AR Art Gallery Experiences
Trend Hunter Talks to 'Impossible Things' About Bringing Art to Life
App-Enabled Smart Grills
The Uber-Q Will Let You Know When Its Time to Flip Your Burgers
All-Natural Baby Ointments
Babo Botanicals' New Healing Ointment is Free of Irritating Ingredients
Bag-Borrowing Programs
FRIETAG's Borrow-a-Travel-Bag Program Loans Its Bags For Up To Three Weeks
Frozen Fruit Pies Snacks
Mamie's Pocket Pies are Sold Frozen for Quick Preparation at Home
Rideshare Transportation Partnerships
Lyft and Amtrak Partnered to Offer Riders In-App Pickups
Revitalizing Collagen Mists
G.M. Collin's Anti-Aging Mist Protects and Hydrates
AR Home Shopping Apps
Triple Develops Augmented Reality Home Shopping Apps for Furniture Retailers
Pet-Focused Social Networks
Italy's BEPUPPY is a Social Network for Pets and Animal Lovers
Affordable Infused Facial Shimmers
Elf Cosmetics' Facial Whip Comes in a Range of Flattering Tones
Digitized Doctor Consultations
The Mfine Platform Helps Patients Receive Healthcare Services
Humanizing Digital Healthcare Platforms
NayaDaya is Focused on Creating Emotional Data in Health
Virtual Reality Live Streaming
VisitU Enables Bedridden Patients to Experience Events in Real-Time
Locational Currency Exchange Apps
'Peerex' Helps Users Get Local Currency via Certified Merchants
Cosmic Overnight Oils
Moonlit Skincare's 'Midnight Shift' Face Oil Boasts Starry Branding
Taco-Tracking Taxi Rides
Lyft's New 'Taco Mode' Brings Riders to the Nearest Taco Bell Drive-Thru
Hedonistic Hotel Rooms
(Un)Comfort Zone Shows Artistic Imaginings of Five Vice-Filled Rooms
In-Bed Gaming Events
Mattress Brand Casper Partnered with eSports Organization 'Fnatic'
Mixed-Reality Mobile Games
Brave Explorers Brings IRL Gamescapes to Life With its Mobile App
Cancer Treatment Tracking Apps
The chemoWave App Aims to Enhance and Humanize Patient Journeys
Diced Mattress Designs
The SleepOvation Mattress is 700 Tiny Mattresses in One
Sensory Consumer Labs
Eye-Tracking and Biometric Technology at GSK's Lab Determine Preferences
Luxury Rideshare Services
The 'Lyft Lux' Service Lets Passengers Enjoy High-End Rides
Inclusive Menstrual Tracking Apps
Planned Parenthood's 'Spot On' Focuses on Gender Neutrality
Predictive Oncological Analysis
Oncora Medical Plies Big Data to Improve Radiation Oncology
One-Hour Natural Tanners
Cocoa Brown's 1 Hour Tan Quickly Helps the Skin Develop a Natural Glow
Vintage Strawberry Gins
Erdbeer Gin Bottles Have Been Redesigned With a Traditional Aesthetic
Prepackaged Small-Batch Lemonades
The Lavender Pond Farm Lavender Lemonade is Freshly Made
Rideshare Ice Cream Giveaways
Uber's 'Free Cone Fridays' Giveaway Lasts Until the End of Summer
Spare Change-Saving Loan Apps
The ChangEd App Uses Spare Change to Pay Off Student Loans
Hypersensitive Ergonomic Mattresses
The Casper Wave Supports 36 Specific Points on the Body
Standalone VR Headsets
The 'Oculus Go' Operates Without Cables or a Mobile Phone
Premium Eye-Preserving Monitors
The BenQ EW3270ZL is Designed to Reduce Eye Stress
Metered Taxi Apps
This App Helps South African Taxis Use Technology to Compete With Uber
Canned Decreased Alcohol Ciders
Sheppy’s Cider Has Been Rebranded with a Lower ABV
Encrypted Ride-Sharing Companies
Ride-Hailing Service ORide Protects the Data of Its Users
Recovery Cream Massaging Tools
Elf Cosmetics' Beauty Shield Overnight Cream Protects the Skin
Spicy Singaporean Crab
Starry Kitchen's Singaporean Chili Crab is One of Its Most Popular Dishes
Electronic Prescriptions Platforms
EazyScripts Lets Doctors Submit Patients' Prescriptions Online
Tanzanian Digital Healthcare Initiatives
The Gates Foundation is Digitizing Health Information
Scholarship Discovery Apps
The Raiseme App Helps High Schoolers Find and Earn Scholarship Money