Top 100 New Venture Trends in 2021

From Scent-Enabled VR Therapy to Metaverse-Focused Incubators

— January 8, 2022 — Business
The 2021 new venture trends span a wide range of industries and consist of a variety of exciting tech innovations, business partnerships, and product launches. Blockchain-based casinos, VR therapy startups, cash resale apps, and plenty of metaverse-oriented developments are all included in this dynamic list.

However, from a new venture perspective, the most notable developments -- which also captured the public's attention like wildfire -- were those within the conjoining spaces of the metaverse, NFTs, and blockchain. For example, e-commerce giant Alibaba launched a new NFT platform called Ali Baba Auction, while startup Highstreet secured major funding for its eponymously named phygital-focused metaverse platform.

In addition, Facebook announced that it would be literally changing its name to 'Metaverse' while TikTok took the plunge into the world of NFTs with the launch of its star-studded 'TikTok Top Moments' collection.

For more new venture innovations in the year ahead, check out Trend Hunter’s 2022 Trend Report
6.7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
95
Sustainable DTC Expansions
Sustainable DTC Expansions
Blueland is Expanding into Canada with Its Full Product Lineup
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94
At-Home IV Therapies
At-Home IV Therapies
Home Infusion Startup HealthIV Promises to Cure Your Hangover
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93
Geometric Residential Buildings
Geometric Residential Buildings
John Lewis Repurposes its Car Parks Store Into Residential Units
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92
Racecar-Themed Virtual Restaurants
Racecar-Themed Virtual Restaurants
Virtual Dining Concepts Introduces 'NASCAR Refuel'
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91
Social Media Shopping Experiences
Social Media Shopping Experiences
Youtube Tests New Feature to Buy Products Shown on Video
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90
Curated Food Delivery Platforms
Curated Food Delivery Platforms
'Foxtrot Anywhere' is a Delivery Service Favoring Local Businesses
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89
AI-Supported Manufacturing Tools
AI-Supported Manufacturing Tools
Siemen' Industrial Edge Is Enhanced with Google Cloud Technology
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88
B2B Electric Delivery Services
B2B Electric Delivery Services
The 'BrightDrop' Service Provides Streamlined Delivery Packages
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87
Delectable Steamed Donuts
Delectable Steamed Donuts
Tiffany's Bakery Launched the DOYO Donuts Which are Steamed Not Fried
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86
Selfie-Based Metaverse Platforms
Selfie-Based Metaverse Platforms
Dreamium Labs Launches NFT Avatars Morphed From Human DNA
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85
Social Media NFTs
Social Media NFTs
TikTok Partners with Lil Nas X and Others to Launch 'TikTok Top Moments'
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84
Surplus Material Lifestyle Shoes
Surplus Material Lifestyle Shoes
New Balance's MADE Responsibly 998 Shoes are One-of-a-Kind
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83
All-Natural Prebiotic Yogurts
All-Natural Prebiotic Yogurts
Bio & Me Launched a New Product Line of Prebiotic Yogurts
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82
Luxury Handbag Rental Services
Luxury Handbag Rental Services
The Cocoon Rental Service Grants Consumers Access to Luxury Brands
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81
Highly-Immersive Whiskey Bars
Highly-Immersive Whiskey Bars
Lark Distillery Has Launched a Luxury Whiskey Experience in Tasmania
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80
Sustainable Start-Up Funds
Sustainable Start-Up Funds
The $50 Million USD Razer Green Fund Supports Green Businesses
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79
E-Commerce-Backed NFT Platforms
E-Commerce-Backed NFT Platforms
Alibaba Launches Digital Art Marketplace Called 'Alibaba Auction'
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78
Dock-to-Door Seafood Delivery Services
Dock-to-Door Seafood Delivery Services
City Pier Seafood Offers Fresh Sustainably Sourced Seafood
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77
Balanced Prebiotic Health Products
Balanced Prebiotic Health Products
Waitrose's Holistic Living Range Encourages a Healthy Lifestyle
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76
Hyperlocal Logistics Platforms
Hyperlocal Logistics Platforms
The GoKea Logistics Platform Uses Technology to Optimize Delivery
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75
Ergonomically Efficient Carrying Handles
Ergonomically Efficient Carrying Handles
Mammoth Grips Make Carrying Multiple Items Simpler
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74
Metaverse-Focused Startups
Metaverse-Focused Startups
TetaVi Rasises $20 Million to Develop Accessible Computer Vision Tech
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73
Tea-Brewed Coffee Beverages
Tea-Brewed Coffee Beverages
The Whittard of Chelsea Coffee Bags are Made to Be Steeped Like Tea
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72
Growing Cannabis Acquisitions
Growing Cannabis Acquisitions
Pure Harvest Successfully Acquires SKM Wellness Products
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71
P2P Rental Property Investing Apps
P2P Rental Property Investing Apps
The Vaycaychella App Empowers New Rental Property Owners
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70
Grab-And-Go Café Initiatives
Grab-And-Go Café Initiatives
Farmer's Fridge Has Partnered with Dunkin' in a New Pilot Program
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69
Limted-Edition Self-Portrait NFTs
Limted-Edition Self-Portrait NFTs
The Artifex Project is an NFT Platform for Digital Artists
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68
Meme-Inspired Money NFTs
Meme-Inspired Money NFTs
Red Hong Yi's Meme Banknote NFTs Poke Fun at Traditional Banks
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67
Refined Flavored Aperitifs
Refined Flavored Aperitifs
Haus Aperitifs Have an Original Lineup of Refreshing Flavors
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66
Futuristic Dumpling Restaurants
Futuristic Dumpling Restaurants
'Dumpling Lab' is a new Futuristic Dumpling Restaurant in New York
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65
Commerce-Oriented Metaverses
Commerce-Oriented Metaverses
HTC-Backed Highstreet Secures Funding For Retail-Focused Metaverse
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64
Clean Better-for-You Condiments
Clean Better-for-You Condiments
Dr. Will's is a Healthy Alternative to Traditional Condiments
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63
Metaverse-Focused Incubators
Metaverse-Focused Incubators
Hashed Launches Unopnd, a New Studio Dedicated to the Metaverse
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62
Phygital Sneaker Collection Concepts
Phygital Sneaker Collection Concepts
Flowers for Society Combines Sneaker Collecting and NFTs
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61
Adventure-Encouraging Experiences
Adventure-Encouraging Experiences
Hyatt Hotels Corporation Announces 40+ Unique 'Explor-cations'
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60
Powerful Electric-Powered Pickup Trucks
Powerful Electric-Powered Pickup Trucks
The Ford F-150 Lightning has Rooftop Solar Panels
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59
Functional Fashionable Medical Scrubs
Functional Fashionable Medical Scrubs
The Natori Scrubs Collection is Comfortable and Practical
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58
Futuristic Second Earth Concepts
Futuristic Second Earth Concepts
Earth 2 is a Metaverse Between Virtual and Physical Reality
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57
Celeb-Owned Chicken Wing Restaurants
Celeb-Owned Chicken Wing Restaurants
DJ Khaled Launches Virtual Chicken Wing Shop, Another Wing
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56
Canadian-Owned Online Baby Stores
Canadian-Owned Online Baby Stores
Fox + Cove is an Elevated Online Baby Apparel Store
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55
Dual-Purpose Hand Warmers
Dual-Purpose Hand Warmers
Starbucks Korea Launched a Line of Sustainably-Made Accessories
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54
Celeb-Backed Pre-Roll Packs
Celeb-Backed Pre-Roll Packs
Justin Bieber Partners with Palms to Launch 'Peachy' Joints
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53
Blockchain-Based ASMR Marketplaces
Blockchain-Based ASMR Marketplaces
Xtingles Has Launched the First NFT Platform Dedicated to ASMR
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52
Connected AR-Enabled Wearables
Connected AR-Enabled Wearables
The 'Oppo Air Glass' Features an AR Display Right on Your Face
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51
Scent-Enabled VR Therapy
Scent-Enabled VR Therapy
Ketamine One Partners with OVR to Diversify Mental Health Offerings
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50
Influencer-Brand Collaboration Apps
Influencer-Brand Collaboration Apps
'Hey Influencers' Matches Brands and Content Creators
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49
NFT Investment Funds
NFT Investment Funds
Republic Realm is a Hyper-Exclusive Real Estate Investment Fund
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48
Flavorful Organic Hard Seltzers
Flavorful Organic Hard Seltzers
Ashland Hard Seltzer is Brewed with Alkaline Water
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47
Tiny Vespa Tea Cafes
Tiny Vespa Tea Cafes
The ChaiGaadi is India's Tiniest Foldable Tea Cafe that Can Fit on a Vespa
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46
Scalable Supply Chain Technologies
Scalable Supply Chain Technologies
Attabotics Offers AI-Driven 3D Robotic Supply Chain Solutions
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45
Healthy Plant-Based Snacks
Healthy Plant-Based Snacks
The BitesWeLove Crunchy Peas Healthily Satisfy Snack Cravings
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44
Monthly Dining Clubs
Monthly Dining Clubs
With the Help of Table22, Lynhall Has Launched a Membership-Based Service
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43
Relaxing Non-Alcoholic Social Drinks
Relaxing Non-Alcoholic Social Drinks
Sentia Spirits are Enhanced with Neurochemical Elements
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42
Exclusive Fashion Content Marketing
Exclusive Fashion Content Marketing
Rebecca Minkoff Recently Boasted an Official OnlyFans Account
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41
Immersive Construction Tools
Immersive Construction Tools
XYZ Reality's HoloSite Tool Uses AR to Optimize Construction
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40
Exclusive Food Content
Exclusive Food Content
In Late 2020, Vice Launched an OnlyFans Account for Munchies
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39
Effortless Therapeutic Back Massagers
Effortless Therapeutic Back Massagers
The Back Pain Go Provides Continuous Passive Motion Therapy
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38
Social Media Metaverse Projects
Social Media Metaverse Projects
Facebook Shifts from Social Media to 'Metaverse'
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37
Metaverse-Focused Entrepreneurial Events
Metaverse-Focused Entrepreneurial Events
Metapreneurs Aims Disrupt the NFT Ecosystem
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36
Playful Greengrocer Pop-Ups
Playful Greengrocer Pop-Ups
Anya Hindmarch Launches Local Grocery Shop Called 'Anya’s Fruit & Veg'
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35
Consumer-Run Supermarkets
Consumer-Run Supermarkets
The Hyperburgers Inconvenience Store Directly Serves Communities
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34
Millennial-Targeted Telehealth Platforms
Millennial-Targeted Telehealth Platforms
Hims & Hers Partners with REVOLVE to Reach Younger Crowds
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33
Text-Based Therapy Apps
Text-Based Therapy Apps
K Health Expands into the Mental Health Space by Acquiring Trusst
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32
Sportswear NFT Collaborations
Sportswear NFT Collaborations
adidas Originals and NFT Designers Launch an Exclusive Collection
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31
Health-Focused Vegan Drive-Thrus
Health-Focused Vegan Drive-Thrus
Chef Matthew Kenney’s Launches New Vegan Drive-thru 'VEG’D'
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30
Exclusive Superhero NFTs
Exclusive Superhero NFTs
Marvel Launches First-Ever Spider-Man NFT Collectibles
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29
Fast-Food Chain NFTs
Fast-Food Chain NFTs
McDonald's China Launches Its First-Ever NFT, the 'Big Mac Rubik's Cube'
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28
Cartoon-Style Toy Car Collectibles
Cartoon-Style Toy Car Collectibles
The STOCKY Collectible Cars Have a High-Quality Construction
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27
Foldable Smartphone Concepts
Foldable Smartphone Concepts
Apple is Likely to Launch a Foldable iPhone with a Flexible Display
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26
Luxury Space-Themed Timepieces
Luxury Space-Themed Timepieces
Zenith Unveils Ultra-Exclusive Luxury 'Zero-G' Watches
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25
Blockchain-Based Metaverse Casinos
Blockchain-Based Metaverse Casinos
Atari Set to Launch Interactive Crypto Arcade in Decentraland
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24
Self-Portrait Studios
Self-Portrait Studios
Toronto's Monography Lets People Capture Their Own Image in a Private Space
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23
Streetwear-Branded NFTs
Streetwear-Branded NFTs
Champion Athleticwear and Tafi Create NFTs and Avatar Content for Samsung
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22
Cozy Online Wellness Boutiques
Cozy Online Wellness Boutiques
The Hygge Shop from Skagen Enhances Homes with Cozy Housewares
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21
Eco-Conscious Coffee Accessories
Eco-Conscious Coffee Accessories
Starbucks Japan Launched its 'Greener Series' Collection
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20
Height-Adjustable High Heels
Height-Adjustable High Heels
The Elegant Trilly Shoes Can Be Set at Three Different Heights
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19
Uniquely Personalizable Vehicles
Uniquely Personalizable Vehicles
The 2022 'Range Rover SV' Allows for Extensive Customization
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18
In-Person NFT Art Exhibitions
In-Person NFT Art Exhibitions
NFT BZL is Showcasing Physical & Digital Artwork at its NFT Gallery
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17
DTC Water Cubes
DTC Water Cubes
waterdrop, the European Microdrink Brand, Just Launched in the United States
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16
Psychedelic DMT Retreats
Psychedelic DMT Retreats
Psychedelics Company Silo Wellness To Open 5-MeO-DMT Retreats in Jamaica
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15
Luxury Restaurant Membership Programs
Luxury Restaurant Membership Programs
Quince & Co. Presents a New Restaurant Business Model
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14
Unlimited Coffee Subscriptions
Unlimited Coffee Subscriptions
Panera is Looking to Revolutionize How Consumers Purchase Coffee
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13
Sustainable Refill Grocery Stores
Sustainable Refill Grocery Stores
Asda Introduced a Refill Store With Loose Format Products
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12
Subscription-Only Restaurants
Subscription-Only Restaurants
Omar’s La Boite is a Speak-Easy Style Club That Adopted a New Model
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11
Digital-Only Fashion Retailers
Digital-Only Fashion Retailers
DressX Launches App That Lets Shoppers Try-On Virtual 3D Clothes
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10
Mobile Wedding Bars
Mobile Wedding Bars
Hub Tap Accommodates Gatherings Virtually Anywhere
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9
Modular Parking Pods
Modular Parking Pods
Oonee Sits in a Parking Space and Accomodates Bikes and Scooters
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8
Fully Electric Luxury Vehicles
Fully Electric Luxury Vehicles
Lexus is Launching Its First Electric Version of Its 'UX Compact'
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7
User-Owned Virtual Real Estate
User-Owned Virtual Real Estate
On Decentraland, One Can Create, Explore, & Trade Items & Property
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6
Autonomous Indoor Farming Drones
Autonomous Indoor Farming Drones
Aerofarms Teams Up With Nokia Bell Labs to Develop New Ag Tech
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5
Body-Inclusive Activewear Lines
Body-Inclusive Activewear Lines
Peloton Has Announced the Launch of 'Peloton Apparel'
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4
Shoppable Digital Homes
Shoppable Digital Homes
Mashable Home is a Virtual Shopping Experience with Items from Walmart
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3
Microdosing Mushroom Gummies
Microdosing Mushroom Gummies
Gwella Mushrooms Launches Legal Magic Mushroom Gummy Called 'Mojo'
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2
Elegant Lightweight Running Shoes
Elegant Lightweight Running Shoes
Allyson Felix's Lifestyle Brand Launched the Saysh One Shoes
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1
Instant Cash Resale Apps
Instant Cash Resale Apps
Twig Lets Users Instantly Turn Their Used Things Into Cash
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