The top October 2021 new ventures see companies refreshing familiar offerings, as seen with department stores introducing their own subscription services, the launch of news-centered streaming services and sustainable grocery stores that offer waste-reducing refill services.
Across a wide range of industries, companies are getting into the creation of their very first NFTs. While some take the form of magazine covers or collectible digital art pieces, others are paired with physical assets that offer even more value in the real world. Iconic video game company Atari, for example, will soon be introducing The Arcade OG Series and Maxim is launching its own blockchain-based marketplace platform. Designed to put power back into the hands of creators and provide collectors with authentic ownership, NFTs speak to a new generation of collectors.
Top 55 New Ventures Trends in October
From Scent-Enabled VR Therapy to Video Gamer Talent Agencies:
Laura McQuarrie — Oct 16, 2021 — Autos
54
Body-Inclusive Activewear Lines
Peloton Has Announced the Launch of 'Peloton Apparel'
53
Sustainable Refill Grocery Stores
Asda Introduced a Refill Store With Loose Format Products
52
Microdosing Mushroom Gummies
Gwella Mushrooms Launches Legal Magic Mushroom Gummy Called 'Mojo'
51
Millennial-Targeted Telehealth Platforms
Hims & Hers Partners with REVOLVE to Reach Younger Crowds
50
Highly-Immersive Whiskey Bars
Lark Distillery Has Launched a Luxury Whiskey Experience in Tasmania
49
Chef-to-Consumer Meal Subscriptions
CookUnity Creates an Elevated Dining Experience at Home
48
Sports Brand Cosmetic Investments
JD Sports Invests in the Hair Care Brand Hairburst
47
AR-Enabled Arcade Game NFTs
Atari's Founder is Set to Launch 'The Arcade OG Series' NFT Collection
46
Scent-Enabled VR Therapy
Ketamine One Partners with OVR to Diversify Mental Health Offerings
45
Fragrance Brand Subscription Expansions
Scentbird is Officially Expanding its Services to Canada
44
Wellness-Enhancing AR Glasses
TRIPP Launches Augmented Reality Tool on Nreal's 5G Glasses
43
Checkout-Free Technology Startups
Zippin Secured Funding to Bring Its Technology to Stores by 2025
42
Hemp-Based Wellness Products
Love Hemp Group Expands to the Asian Market
41
Department Store Beauty Subscriptions
Liberty Now Offers The Beauty Drop Subscription Service
40
Waste-Reducing Furniture Resell Programs
Ikea Launched its Buy Back & Resell Program in the US
39
At-Home IV Therapies
Home Infusion Startup HealthIV Promises to Cure Your Hangover
38
K-Beauty E-Commerce Content Platforms
PowderRoom is Expanding to Include Product Co-Creation
37
Digital E-Commerce Concierges
High Alpha Has Launched 'HumanKind' For Online Retailers
36
Magazine-Owned Creative Agencies
Crack Magazine Launches Multi-Faceted Brand Agency Called 'CC Co'
35
Social Selling Cosmetic Platforms
MyL'Occitane is the Beauty Brand's New Social Sales Model
34
Economical Coffee Subscriptions
Pret a Manger Offers a Coffee Subscription Plan to Its Customers
33
Blockchain-Based ASMR Marketplaces
Xtingles Has Launched the First NFT Platform Dedicated to ASMR
32
E-Platform-Hosted Beauty Shops
Alleyoop Announced that it Launched an Official Shop on Amazon
31
Vegan Gluten-Free Cakes
Organic Bytes Offers Organic, Vegan, and Dairy-Free Cakes
30
Ultra-Fast Grocery Delivery Services
Kroger and Instacart Launch 'Kroger Delivery Now'
29
E-Bike Subscription Services
Dance Launched a Subscription Service to Access its New E-Bike
28
UK Beauty Hall Expansions
Boots Announced its Expansion Plans with 30 New Beauty Stores
27
Generous In-Flight Entertainment
Delta's Partnership with Spotify Brings New In-Flight Music
26
AI-Enabled Innovation Tools
Turbine Labs Has Launched 'Thought Leadership Briefing'
25
Eco-Friendly Bike Share Initiatives
Humanforest Has Launched a Fleet of 800 E-Bikes in London
24
Cultural-Wear Brick-and-Mortars
Libas Unveils its Plans to Open Two New Locations in New Delhi
23
Multi-Modal Travel Apps
Arriva Has Released a Smart Mobility App for Public Transport In Europe
22
Amateur Photography Classes
Canon South Africa Launched Canon Academy for Photography Enthusiasts
21
Advanced Live Commerce Features
Taobao Live Announces Plan to Supercharge Its Livestream Ecosystem
20
Voice-Controlled Smart TVs
Amazon Launches Its First Line of TVs Called the 'Fire TV Omni Series'
19
All-In-One Finance Apps
The PayPal "Super App" Arrives Following Partnership With Synchrony Bank
18
Video Gamer Talent Agencies
Achieveminds Offers Support to Esport Competitors
17
CBD-Focused Live Commerce Events
Uncle Bud's CBD Launches on Chinese Commerce Platform Tmall
16
Interest-Free Pay-Later Apps
LayBuy Launches in the UK Presenting a Viable Alternative to Afterpay
15
Heavy-Duty Electric Distribution Trucks
Performance Team Launches an Electric Distribution Pilot
14
Stylish Wearable Payment Devices
Thames Technology Launches New 'PayCard+' Offering
13
Live Video Shopping Expansions
Clarins Group Expanded its Live Interaction With Consumers
12
Vegan QSR Expansions
Plant-Based Fast Food Chain Odd Burger Announces New Calgary Franchise
11
Metaverse-Based Skateparks
Roblox and Vans Join Forces to Launch Virtual 'Vans World'
10
Satellite-Powered UAV Connectivity Solutions
Inmarsat Laucnhes 'Velaris' For Air Traffic Managment
9
Magazine-Owned NFT Platforms
Maxim Announced the Launch of its Own Blockchain-Powered Marketplace
8
B2B Video Streaming Platforms
VideoElephant Launches Channels Marketplace With 150 Video Feeds
7
Digital-Only Retail Banks
JP Morgan is Set to Launch Digital Bank 'Chase' in the UK
6
Basketball Magazine Cover NFTs
SLAM Set to Launch Massive NFT Collection On Tom Brady's Autograph
5
News-Focused Streaming Services
CBS News Launches New Content Provider 'See It Now Studios'
4
Curated Movie Trailer Platforms
Loop Media Launches Streaming Channel Dedicated to Film Trailers
3
Multiscreen TV Measurement Solutions
Ampersand Launches Its 'Total TV Measurement' Tool
2
Creativity-Centered Business Ventures
Accenture Acquires Malaysia-Based Marketing Firm Entropia
1
Brand-Backed Grant Programs
Reebok Foundation's BOKS Announced a $250,000 Grant Program
Related Ideas
Nostalgic Gamer Streetwear Collections
The New Era x PlayStation Range Has Hats, Hoodies and More
Tarot-Inspired Streaming Campaigns
Netflix Discover Your Future Reveals New Streaming Potentials
Playful Student-Targeted Interactive Pop-Ups
Uber One Hits Campuses with ‘The One Arcade'
Virtual Fashion Contests
Bratz and ZEPETO Launch a Four-Week Avatar Styling Challenge
Retro Gaming Handhelds
Evercade Nexus Brings Physical Cartridges Back to Portable Gaming
Gen-Z-Targeted Retail Concepts
Urban Outfitters Debuts 'On Rotation' with Nike
Premium Fragrance Collections
Nest New York Debuts Its Voyages by Nest Collection at Harrods
Fashion-Focused AI Production Studios
Vyking Debuts an AI-Driven Content Creation Module
Gen-Z-Focused AR Campaigns
American Eagle Launched an AE Jeans Try-on Haul Lens
Gen Z Advertising Initiatives
Tubi Targets Younger Viewers with Ad Innovations at IAB NewFronts
Luxury Menswear Apparel Pop-Ups
Louis Vuitton's Soho Pop-Up Showcases the Fall/Winter 2025 Vision
Social Media-Inspired Retail Apps
Depop Outfits Lets Users Create Moodboards and Collages
Creative Retail Competitions
Bricks & Minifigs Launches LEGO Clock Design Contest
Experiential Convenience Stores
FamilyMart Announced IP-Centered Store Experiences in Japan
Hyper-Personalized AI Shopping Tech
OTB Group Embraces Hyper-Personalization with Google Cloud
Curated Store Concepts
A New Target Soho Store Opens in New York with Design-First Looks
Metaverse-Powered Watch Campaigns
Casio's G-SHOCK Watch Line Partners with The Sandbox
AI-Driven Shoppable Catwalks
Topshop and THG Studios are Hosting a Next-Gen Fashion Experience
Dynamic Running-Focused Retail Concepts
Nordstrom Debuts Nike Running @ the Corner
Design-Forward Concept Stores
Target SoHo is Immersive, Experiential and Shoppable
Themed Snack Collectibles
Kinder Joy Evolves its Treat-And-Toy Format with Themed Collections
Fashion-Branded Café Experiences
Vogue Blends Retail with Immersive Hospitality Spaces
Prestige Beauty Storefronts
Ulta Unveiled Its Times Square Experiential Store
Dynamic Scent-Inspired Fashion Presentations
Startup Fashion Week 2026 Concluded Its Program
Interactive Toy Experiences
Spin Master Highlights Opportunities in the Toy Sector in 2026
Fashion-Inspired Coffee Events
Starbucks Partnered with NYFW2026 and Hosted a Coffeehouse Rave
Creator Community-Focused Platforms
Gap Inc. Has Introduced a New Centralized Program
Live Social Shopping Expansions
QVC® Announces New Brands That Will Join Its Roster in 2026
Gen Z Concept Stores
UO Insiders Insights Informed the UO x Glendale Store Experience
Blockchain Learning Tools
Web3 Quest Platforms Helps Founders Engage Users and Reward Learning
Ai-Powered Metaverse Collaborations
Futureverse Strengthens Its Reebok Impact Collaboration
Gamified Financial Education Initiatives
TD Bank and the Venture Valley Creators Partner
Immersive Video Shopping Experiences
ASOS Live Blends Creator-Led Content with Real-Time Shopping
Sensory Retail Experiences
Claire’s Launches ASMR-Inspired Stores for Gen Alpha Shoppers
Lifestyle Icon-Backed Stores
Martha Stewart is Launching Stores Globally, Starting in Dubai
Beauty Entrepreneurs Growth Studios
Breakout Beauty UK Represents a Strategic Initiative
Experiential Brand Stores
New Era Creates Interactive Retail Space With Custom Cap Design
AI Retail Forecasts
Experts Outline how AI will Reshape Commerce By 2026
Sports Nutrition Retailer Ranges
The Very Group Added Four New Brands to the Very Online Offerings
Sensory ASMR-Style Toys
Incredible Group's Squishi Toys Appeal to Gen Z Consumers
Imaginative Fantasy-Inspired Campaigns
Canva Spotlights its Creative Tools Ahead of Halloween
Shoppable AR Villages
The Snapchat Winter Village Has Three Immersive Luxury Brand Boutiques
Corporate Skin-Care Initiatives
Beiersdorf Launches the Skin Care Innovation Fund
NFT-Tied Energy Drinks
'NFT Energy' Empowers Brands Through Collaborative NFT Ventures
Customizable Console Bundles
Nintendo Paired Switch 2 with a Pick-your-own Digital Game
Iconic High Fashion Campaigns
Veronica Beard's Fall 2025 Fashion Campaign is Tilted Iconic
Underground Culture-Inspired Collabs
Vintage Culture x Von Dutch Loves Debut a Capsule Collection
GenAI Fashion Try-Ons
Perfect Corp. Fashion APIs Help Shoppers Visualize Scarves, Hats & More
Mobile Beauty Pop-Ups
Henkel’s göt2b Debuts a Citywide Mobile Beauty Experience
AI-Powered Shoppable Runways
Topshop and THG Studios Hosted a Front Row AI Experience
Comprehensive Fast Food Reports
Yum! Brands, Inc. Explores Food Trends Influencing the Industry
CPG-Focused Innovation Launchpads
Albertsons Companies is Running Its Innovation Launchpad
Interactive Juice Boxes
Suntop's Mega Back to School Campaign Integrates Connected Packaging
Character-Driven Fashion Newsletters
The RealReal Creates The RealGirl Luxury Consignment Series
AI-Driven Wholesale Platforms
Hypedrop Validates, Designs and Develops Products in Six Weeks
Corporate AI Pivot Announcements
Allbirds Rebrands As NewBird AI and Launches GPU-as-a-Service
Consolidated Sports Innovation Engines
Nike is Focusing Its Innovation Efforts Across Its Brands
Limited-Edition Regional-Specific Snack Boxes
Tokyotreat Presents the Harajuku Snackventure Box
Pop-Up Sports Hospitality
Toronto’s FIFA Fan Festival Turns Urban Spaces into Immersive Fan Hubs
Limited-Edition Halloween Treats
Kellanova Brands Debut Exclusive Treats for Halloween
Customer-Led Loyalty Programs
The Iconic Unveils a Loyalty Program Built on Community Insight
Next-Gen Consumer Goods Technologies
Unilever and Google Cloud Partner to Produce Strong Products
Curated Discovery Stores
The Shelf Spotlights Emerging Food, Drink and Wellness Brands
Experiential Grocery Campaigns
No Name launches a multi-city grocery goss campaign
Gamified Back-to-Campus Campaigns
Urban Outfitters' UO Haul Supports Gen Z Through Transition
AI Wardrobe Systems
Vêtir Unites What Clients Already Own and What They Desire
Entertainment-Powered Retail Experiences
AT&T Brings Toy Story 5 to Interactive Store Activations
Millennial Nostalgia Banking Campaigns
Allt Bank Playfully Jabs at Millennials' Financial Habits
Experiential Running Shoe Shops
House of SportsShoes Merges Digital Presence & Physical Experience
AI-Powered Retail Platforms
Target Introduced a Mobile App Rebuild with AI Coding Companions
Next-Gen Crowdfunding Platforms
Indiegogo Introduced Advanced Creators Tools, Verification & More
Limited-Edition Designer-Forward Collaborations
Black Market Debuts the Highly Anticipated Capsule
Novel Multi-Brand Retail Experiences
Lightspeed Commerce Debuts Multi-Brand Shopping and Ordering
Curated Grocery Platforms Rise
FirstClub Launches Its Curated Grocery Platform
Boutique Jewelry Concepts
Rocksbox is Expanding Its Presence in Metropolitan Areas
Digital Game Distribution Platforms
Sony Innovation Fund & London Venture Partners Support VaultN
Video-Centric World Models
Runway Launches Its First World Model
Enterprise Retail Technology Upgrades
David's Bridal Introduced a New Enterprise Platform
Playable Brand Universes
adidas and Brawl Stars Connect Gaming, Apparel and Live Fan Experiences
Elemental Retail Spaces
Goldwin Creates a Multi-Sensory Retail Environment in New York City
Unique Co-Designed Capsules
Etsy Partners With WNBA Players for The 'Icon Collection'
Wellness Shop-in-Shops
Wellness by Ulta Beauty Shares Immersive, Informative Experiences
Video-First Food Ordering Experiences
CookUnity Acquired flavrs to Enhance Its Meal Service
Beauty Entrepreneurship Incubators
Estée Lauder Companies Expanded Its India Innovation Initiative
Audio Experience-Integrated Beverage Packaging
TapTunes, Inc. Has Introduced Virtual Wax
Celebrity Wellness Brand Expansions
Bob Marley's Estate Expanded into Natural Health Markets
Artisan Fashion Incubators
Ibu Atelier Supports Women-Led Heritage Craft Businesses
Multi-Revenue Fashion Platforms
Rent the Runway expands into resale, ads and cleaning services
Curated Resale Storefronts
eBay's The NYC Edit Storefront Shares Tastemaker Selections
Startup Idea Newsletters
Easy Startup Ideas Delivers Business Roadmaps For Aspiring Founders
Athlete Arrival Fashion Activations
ATP Introduces Athlete Arrivals to Spotlight Players Style
Emerging Market Insights
Rising Trends Helps Discover Hidden Markets And Business Opportunities
Limited Gaming Merchandise
The XBOX Game Studios Shop Launches Merchandise Tied to Xbox Franchises
Blockchain-Friendly Finance Solutions
Futureverse Partners with Rakuten Wallet
Curated Newspaper Storefronts
Shreeji Unveiled 'The Village News' as an Offline Summer Ritual
Gaming-Inspired Food Partnerships
Nanak Foods and Nintendo of Canada Debut Their Collaboration
Expanded Wellness Retail Assortments
Target Added 30% More Wellness Products to Its Shelves
Cutting-Edge Consumer Electronics Innovations
UGREEN Limited Debuts Two New Technologies at IFA
Entertainment Venue-Branded Retro Merchandise
Dave & Buster's Debuts a Limited-Edition Capsule
Social-to-Outdoor Campaigns
Tribesigns Extends TikTok's Super Wish Campaign to Times Square
In-Store Creator Commerce
Mac Cosmetics Turns Retail Employees into Live-Streaming Creators
Lifestyle Gaming Ecosystems
Nintendo Extends Music Access Beyond Its Consoles
Global Product Launch Events
Uber Unveils a New Go-Get Exhibit Featuring Interactive Vignettes
Circular Fashion Platforms
eBay Acquired Depop to Grow Its Fashion Resale Ecosystem
Attention Economy Agencies
VaynerX Launches Tamara Group to Drive Social-First Brand Relevance
Heritage Outerwear Reissues
Octobre Editions x Schott NYC Collaboration Updates Classic Jackets
Supportive Investment Initiatives
The Branded Agency Debuted a New Investment Arm — Snail Ventures
Personalized Telehealth Service Platforms
Enhanced Reports Success of the Inaugural Enhanced Games
Conversational Video Discovery
Youtube Introduces AI-Powered Search with Interactive Responses
Audio Journalism Platforms
Spotify Converts Long-Form Magazine Articles Into Audio Experiences
AI Overstock Models
Otrium's Ovatars Present Unsold Fashion Items in a New Light
Retail Brand Incubator Moves
Backcountry Launches Platform to Scale Emerging Outdoor Brands
AI Beauty Marketing Platforms
Coty Uses Pencil to Scale AI-Generated Campaigns
Marketplace Showrooms
StockX Combines Shopping, Seller Services and Community Events in New York
IP-Based Kids Games
Netflix Turns Shows into Play Experiences
Product Discovery Communities
MillionShip Turns Product Discovery Into A Playful Experiences
AI-Powered Ventures
LeanAI Ventures Builds AI-Driven MVPs In Under Two Days
Canadian Entrepreneur-Focused Marketplaces
Futurpreneur Marketplace Emerges as a Timely Initiative
Creator-Inspired Board Games
MrBeast Brings His Viral Challenges and Competition Style Home
Retail-Style Hotel Commerce
Aven Hospitality Embeds E-Commerce Features into Hotel Journeys
Nostalgia-Powered Retail
Zellers Revives a Canadian Favorite With New Ontario Stores
Consumer Brand Launches
Labor Smart Announced Culturally-Driven Product Collaborations
Service-Backed Recommerce Platforms
Commonplace Launches Marketplace With Built-In Delivery
Tabletop-To-Digital Franchises
Descent Expands into a Cooperative Tactical RPG Experience
Balanced Venture Bets
Nexus Venture Partners Splits $700M Fund Between AI and India Startups
AI Design Studios
Octet Design Studio Combines AI And Design To Drive Product Innovation
AI Venture Studios
Making Science Recently Debuted AWAKE Venture Studio
Swipeable Content Discovery Experiences
Verts is a Fun Way to Explore What to Watch on Disney+
Startup Deal Platforms
Discover Hidden Startup Gems With Micro Deals This Black Friday
Narrative Retro Revivals
Truxton Extreme Adds Comic Storytelling to a Classic Arcade Game
Boutique Grocery Makeovers
This Women’s Clothing Boutique is Charming and Thoughtful Design
Rhythm Game-Focused Studios
RedOctane Games Launched with a Specialty for Rhythm Games
90s Grunge-Inspired Fall Apparel
& Other Stories Launches 'The October Collection'
Retail Marketing Advancements
Westfield Rise Debuts a Programmatic Targeting Solution For Malls
Purpose-Led Emerging Brands Initiatives
7-Eleven Taps 27 Brands for Its 2026 Brands with Heart™
Digital Sharing Platforms
Venture Vault Enables Innovators to Share Ideas and Collaborate
Streaming-Inspired Toy Lines
Moose Toys Expands Netflix Stories Into Toy Collections
Plant-Based Wellness Digital Storefronts
The Sisters of the Valley Debuts a New Digital Storefront
AI Leasing Accelerator Programs
RET Ventures Launches RET Ventures AI Accelerator Program
Category-Focused Ball Retailers
The Ball Depot Launches its New E-Commerce Platform