7 Expert & Data-Backed Trend Predictions for 2024

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It’s that time of the year…

We asked a few badass colleagues and expert Trendsters what they think will be huge in 2024. Here’s what they said:

1. Niche Sports

Sara Friedman, Senior Writer of The Hustle

Pickleball has grown into a national craze, with courts and other related businesses popping up everywhere. In 2024, more niche sports will follow.

Source: Google Trends, six-month rolling average

Games like badminton, racquetball, croquet, and spikeball will see increased popularity through activity bars, facilities, and clubs. These sports will be used to fill vacant shopping malls and offices that are too difficult to flip into residential space.

Badminton, where players use racquets to hit a shuttlecock across a net, might be the next big hit among Gen Z and Millennials, per Pinterest.

2. The Menopause Market

Arlene Battishill, E-commerce maverick, Shark Tank trailblazer

The market is finally recognizing women ages 50 and older as a huge demographic with a lot of disposable income.

One way this trend will manifest is through the continued growth of the ~$17B menopause market. Globally, menopause causes $150B in lost productivity. It’s a big pain point for half the population, and a huge opportunity for businesses.

There’s already been an influx of products created for perimenopause and menopause care, with celebrities and influencers in the mix. But the market is still ripe for disruption.

3. Leaner Tech Startups

Dan Layfield, Subscription business expert, ex-Uber, ex-Codecademy

This year, many tech companies course-corrected their overhiring with massive layoffs. In 2024, the size of tech startups will continue to shrink, and we’ll see even leaner operations make bigger profits.

Source: Layoffs.fyi

With the help of better tools, newer codebases and AI, companies will need fewer engineers to build and ship meaningful products efficiently. This trend will show most clearly in the consumer app space – think fitness, health, nutrition and productivity.

4. Cryptocurrency

Cahill Camden, Fractional CMO with two 8-figure exits, web3 and AI expert

As the bad boys in crypto get cleared out of the way, there’s now space for cryptocurrency – especially Bitcoin – to receive mainstream adoption in 2024.

Major asset managers like BlackRock and Fidelity already proposed to launch spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETF), which will make bitcoin more accessible to the average investor.

A spot ETF allows people to directly invest in Bitcoin, rather than Bitcoin futures contracts. It’s simpler, more affordable, and could potentially boost the legitimacy of Bitcoin in regulators’ eyes.