The Covid-19 pandemic has revolutionized many industries, from education and medicine to entertainment and shopping. The changes turned out to be in the hands of investors in the niche “digital”: it was such projects that were “fired” all over the world, it is worth remembering at least the EdTech market. Are there niches in the market for which solutions are ready to show the same rapid growth? Analytical company CB Insights has identified several trends that will make themselves known in 2021. Let's talk about the most interesting of them that investors and businesses should follow.
Cashback will be paid with bitcoins
According to CB Insight, loyalty programs, whose development will take place at the expense of cryptocurrencies, can get a second wind. It is possible that projects in this particular niche may take off in the coming years. Operators of loyalty programs, including retailers and payment services, will distribute digital money instead of bonus points and fiat cashback. Taking into account the growth of the rate of cryptocurrencies, new mechanics will allow holders of the bonus "crypt" to earn. They will also be able to convert bonuses into fiat money and spend them at their discretion.
Shopping centers will be turned into housing and hospitals
In 2021, the commercial real estate market will demand flexible formats, and this is not only about office spaces, in the place of which coworking spaces are already appearing. New functionality will be required for emptying shopping centers and parking lots due to the pandemic; you can also earn money on the development of such projects. Parking, for example, is used for the needs of retail or entertainment, such as car cinemas, analysts said. Shopping centers are suitable for medical clinics, including dental ones. They will also be able to become sites for the arrangement of rental housing and educational institutions.Empty spaces with the necessary communications are also suitable for vertical farms, the demand for whose products is growing in the face of disruption to global supply chains. And the cafes will be used to sell food (a feature is already being tested by Subway) and to launch dark kitchens working on delivery. Reformatting services for parking lots and garages have already been offered by the startup REEF Technology.
Social networks will become paid
In 2021, the demand for exclusive social media will grow. Initially, this was Facebook, which was accessed by students of certain elite colleges. Now, exclusivity seems to be returning, analysts at CB Insights note, and the strength of the connections and the level of communication with them are replacing the number of subscribers. The Clubhouse network has already become a trial balloon, access to which is open by invitation. But this is not the only semi-closed network that will grow in popularity. You need an invitation to access aSmallWorld, a network for elite travelers dubbed MySpace for Millionaires. It has more than 60,000 users accessing hotels, restaurants and private events anywhere in the world, depending on the level of membership.
