# Innovation Aid Entrepreneurs receive more help than ever before. By [Katherinev123](https://www.trendhunter.com/katherine), Contributing Editor | Published Jan 18, 2012, updated Mar 27, 2012 | Category: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/business-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/innovation-aid ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.2/10 - Evidence articles: 9 ## What is the Innovation Aid trend? **Innovation Aid:** Today's entrepreneurs have a variety of helpful business-building tools at their fingertips, as more and more organizations pop up to help fund, support and guide new business owners, from teenagers to adults. In the world of green innovation, especially, is an increasing number of entrepreneur-aiding tools that help environmentalists turn their ideas into businesses. With such an increase in biz-building tools and services, the coming years may see entrepreneurship start to trump traditional large corporations. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 9 featured examples - Articles from: Jan 27, 2011 to Jan 13, 2012 - Published: Jan 18, 2012 - Patterns: [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Instant Entrepreneurship](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/instant-entrepreneurship), [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation), [Many to Many](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/many-to-many) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women ## Themes within the Innovation Aid trend ### Rise of entrepreneur-aiding tools and services Increased support for entrepreneurs to build their businesses is spurring a rise in growth for entrepreneurs over traditional corporations. ### Crowdfunding for social entrepreneurship A rising number of crowdfunding platforms, like StartSomeGood, have cropped up offering a platform for social enterprises to raise funds for their sustainable initiatives. ### Incubators for social impact Specialized startup incubators are offering training, mentorship and other resources to entrepreneurs focused on social impact, providing them with tailored support to achieve their goals. ## What the Innovation Aid trend means for industry ### For Social and Sustainable Enterprises Crowdfunding and business grants offer an alternative funding option for sustainable businesses and opens financial doors for social causes. ### For Youth and Female Entrepreneurs Incubators and fellowships can support the growth of emerging businesses led by women and youthful entrepreneurs. ### For Small Business and Retail The rise of initiatives that connect, support, and provide space for small businesses creates opportunities for retailers and merchants. ## Trend signals for Innovation Aid Trend score 4.2 out of 10, from popularity 68%, activity 49%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 68% - Activity: 49% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Innovation Aid trend 9 featured examples from Jan 27, 2011 to Jan 13, 2012. - [Entrepreneurial Benefit Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/founderscard): Reward Your Business With the FoundersCard (Category: Business) Implication: Financial service providers can look for disruptive innovation opportunities in creating unique reward programs for business professionals. - [Daily Entrepreneurial Encouragement](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/startup-daily): The Startup Daily Gives Great Business Ideas Daily (Category: Business) Implication: Investing in online media platforms that provide daily business tips and advice. - [Crowdfunded Social Innovator Sites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/startsomegood): ‘StartSomeGood’ Grows Purpose-Driven Initiatives (Category: Social Good) Implication: Application of innovative business models to address social and environmental challenges. - [Youthful Entrepreneur Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/social-enterprise-africa): 'Social Enterprise Africa' Trains Ethical Changemakers (Category: Social Good) Implication: There is a need for innovative online education programs that teach ethical changemakers and social entrepreneurship to young people. - [Business-Generating Grants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/popup-hood): Popuphood Allows Entrepreneurs Six Months Rent Free (Category: Social Good) Implication: Popuphood's program of renovating and providing rental space in empty properties can disrupt the real estate industry by transforming unused spaces into thriving businesses. - [Social Business Supporters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ankur-capital): Ankur Capital Helps Impact-Driven Businesses in India Succeed (Category: Social Good) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create specialized investment vehicles to fund businesses that have a dual focus on financial returns and social impact. - [Female-Focused Biz Incubators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sparkher): Spark:Her by FYSE Helps Women Social Entrepreneurs Launch (Category: Social Good) Implication: Opportunity for incubators to support and accelerate the growth of purpose-driven social enterprises. - [Social Impact Fellowships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/echoing-green): Echoing Green Offers Seed Funding for Visionary Entrepreneurs (Category: Social Good) Implication: The field of social entrepreneurship that focuses on creating businesses with a social mission to drive positive change. - [Action-Oriented Business Guides](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sojo): Sojo Empowers Social Entrepreneurs to Make a Difference (Category: Social Good) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Revolutionize the way social entrepreneurs access funding and resources through a technology-driven platform. ## Recent trend clusters - [Autumn Teasers](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/autumn-teasers) (Business) - [Errand Leisure](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/errand-leisure) (Business) - [Category Mashups](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/category-mashups) (Business) - [Automated Upkeep](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/automated-upkeep) (Tech) ## Trending in Business - [Performance-Based Creator Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creator-ad-platforms) - [Repairable Hardshell Jackets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sperro-sv) - [Natural Deodorant Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/target-beauty-studios) - [Mini Beauty Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/little-luxuries-store) All articles: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business)