Every year dozens of reports appear promising the next big disruption. And of course, we all rush to highlight what is going to “change everything.” But the reality is that Some bets take off like rockets and others stay put. bluff.
After reviewing market data from A to Z, hours of conversation with investors and companies, and daily experience seeing what prospers and what does not, here is my personal selection of what is worth following in 2025. Of course: with lights and shadows, because At this point we already know that hype no return is pure frosting.
First of all, AI is still king. The global market projects to go from 279 billion in 2024 to 1.8 trillion in 2030. In the first half alone, startups raised more than 44 billion, surpassing all of 2024. OpenAI sets the pace; AI21 Labs stomps; Stability AI drives visual creativity; and Singapore invests in healthcare and banking with AI. Grok (with Elon Musk behind), the xAI chatbot, also stands out: its version 4 surpasses its rivals in reasoning and previous versions will be open source. AI is no longer science fiction: it is redesigning industries, health, finance and creativity at a brutal pace.
But not everything shines. According to MIT, 95% of generative AI projects do not meet expectations. Many pilots stay in drawers, and the AI-washing abounds: at CES we saw everything from “smart” toasters to robots that barely know how to turn on a light. Result: fatigue and mistrust. Only 13% of users use it regularly.
On the other hand, sustainability that is no longer a story is a business. The circular economy market is growing at 23% annually and examples such as UBQ Materials, which converts waste into thermoplastics, or Wasteless, which helped Carrefour reduce waste by 54% in 640 stores, show tangible results. Europe pushes forward with the Green Deal, the US accelerates with climate tech and Singapore and Israel act as living laboratories.
But the investment slowdown is clear: investment in climate tech fell almost 40% in one year. Many startups still depend on public funds or corporate agreements. The opportunity is there, but the profitability does not always come.
Another trend we found is related to health and longevity, and the body as an aspirational business. Health is no longer just about healing: it is about living longer and better. Altos Labs, the biotech backed by Jeff Bezos, raised 3 billion. Anti-obesity drugs (GLP-1) grow 25% annually. Startups like Noom are digitizing weight loss coaching, while others are betting on skin biotechnology or robots for the elderly. Singapore promotes telemedicine for an aging population.
The challenge: many therapies do not yet have clinical approval and the digital sector is saturated. Most wellness apps die within 90 days and regulatory processes slow returns, making even the most patient investors desperate.
Also Industrial biotechnology and new materials are sexy terrain for those seeking real disruption. They open the door to bioplastics, alternative proteins and vegan leather. Ginkgo Bioworks, Aleph Farms or LanzaTech lead the revolution. Singapore was a pioneer in cultured meat and Europe is advancing sustainable textiles and biodegradable enzymes.
But there are still barriers: producing cultured meat is still 5–10 times more expensive than conventional meat. Many consumers are wary of “laboratory foods” and several foodtech companies rely on bridging rounds. The potential is enormous, but the business model is still limping.
Finally, the love of animals also moves the market. The pet economy grows 20% annually and it already exceeds 7.6 billion dollars. From smart collars and veterinary telemedicine to cultured pet food, the humanization of animals makes this sector premium and willing to spend.
But adoption remains low: only 15% of European households with pets use devices regularly. Many startups also suffer from high returns and logistics costs.
After reviewing all these trends, it is time to stop at what was left behind and that is that not all promises survive. The metaverse has deflated: Meta Reality Labs lost 4.5 billion in one quarter and many corporations have closed divisions. The narrative of “we will all live with VR glasses” was diluted and money moved towards AI or digital twins.
NFTs did not have any better luck either: The market fell more than 90% from its peak. There remain niches in art and gaming, but funds migrated towards more solid uses of blockchain such as traceability and digital identity.
2025 leaves a clear lesson: he hype It’s free; the execution, not. What makes the difference are projects connected to the real economy, that solve specific problems and scale without depending on eternal rounds. Bubbles are not always bad: they speed up conversation and attract talent, but like all foam they dissipate quickly. What remains are the companies that knew how to execute with judgment.
And yes, I am clear on what trends to bet on this year. They won’t be avatars dancing in the metaverse. They will be algorithms that work, materials that replace plastics, therapies that extend life and, why not, collars that help us take better care of our dogs and cats. Because innovation is not about chasing neon unicornsbut to build solutions that will still be here when we talk about trends again in 2026.
***Julia de Pedro, partner and project development director at Byld.