# Startup Support Brands are launching initiatives to support startups amid COVID. By [Grace Mahas](https://www.trendhunter.com/Grace.Mahas), VP of Content & Insights | Published Jul 7, 2020 | Category: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/business-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/startup-support ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.2/10 - Evidence articles: 4 ## What is the Startup Support trend? **Startup Support:** Brands in various sectors ranging from finance to technology are aiming to support new businesses developing during and post-COVID. These initiatives include banking tools, credit cards, and technological support. ## The consumer insight behind the Startup Support trend North American economies have taken a substantial hit in light of the ongoing pandemic and new businesses are lacking the financial support necessary to be successful in the uncertain commercial landscape. This is in part due to a lack of consumer demand, as shoppers shift their spending to more essential items like food and clothing and less on luxuries like travel or dining. Brands with a B2B focus are supporting these businesses as they understand it will serve them better in the long-term to have loyal customers, especially in a time when the economy remains uncertain. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 4 featured examples - Articles from: Apr 15 to Jul 6, 2020 - Published: Jul 7, 2020 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/reduction) - Megatrends: [Instant Entrepreneurship](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/instant-entrepreneurship), [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Startup Support trend ### Startup Support Initiatives Brands in various sectors are aiming to support new business development during and post-COVID through tools such as banking, credit cards, and technological support. ### E-commerce COVID-19 Support Yo!Kart is launching COVID-19 support initiatives to help small and medium-sized businesses transition to online sales through offers, discounts, and e-commerce solutions. ### Pandemic Relief Banking Starling Bank launched a new digital banking Toolkit and a US dollar account to aid British entrepreneurs with small or medium-sized businesses with managing their finances as economies start to reopen post-COVID. ## What the Startup Support trend means for industry ### For Fintech Industry The pandemic relief banking trend creates an opportunity for the FinTech industry to provide innovative solutions for entrepreneurs who cannot access traditional banking, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs). ### For Delivery Services Industry Virtual restaurant startups such as Virturant are creating opportunities for the delivery services industry by providing restaurant with spare capacity to produce virtual brands that can be discovered on delivery app platforms. ### For Start-Up Mentoring Industry Startup support initiatives from various brands offer opportunities for the startup mentoring industry to provide assistance and guidance to new businesses navigating the uncertain commercial landscape during and post-COVID. ## Workshop question How can your brand serve struggling consumers post-COVID? ## Trend signals for Startup Support Trend score 4.2 out of 10, from popularity 66%, activity 51%, freshness 9%. - Popularity: 66% - Activity: 51% - Freshness: 9% ## Examples of the Startup Support trend 4 featured examples from Apr 15 to Jul 6, 2020. - [Virtual Restaurant Start-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virturant): Virturant Helps Restaurants Create Virtual Restaurant Brands (Category: Business) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Adapting underused kitchen staff and operational hours to create virtual restaurant brands for increased revenue and profitability. - [E-Commerce COVID-19 Support](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/covid19-support): Yo!Kart is Distributing COVID-19 Support to Various Businesses (Category: Business) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunities in providing solutions and services for businesses transitioning to online sales - [Work-from-Home Card Rewards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/card-for-startups): Brex Introduces New Features to Its Card for Startups Amid COVID-19 (Category: Business) Implication: Develop credit card solutions that offer specialized rewards and benefits for remote workers and their unique needs. - [Pandemic Relief Banking Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starling-bank-1): Starling Bank Debuted a New Toolkit and a US Dollar Account (Category: Business) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms in fintech platforms to offer personalized financial advice and automated expe… ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Conversion](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ai-assisted-checkout) (Business) - [Occasion Commerce](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/occasion-commerce) (Business) - [Autonomous Merchandising](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/autonomous-merchandising) (Business) - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Business - [Performance-Based Creator Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creator-ad-platforms) - [MIami Pop-Culture Shirts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miami-pop-culture-shirts) - [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)