At GlobalIcons, we’ve shortlisted the most promising startup categories this year, along with inspiring, positive global examples. These startups represent innovation done right—with purpose, product-market fit, and positive press.
✨ Continue scrolling or click on a category to jump ahead:
🔗 AI | 📱 App | 💅 Beauty and Wellness | 🔐 Cybersecurity | 🛍️ Ecommerce | 📚 Edtech | 👗 Fashion | 💰 Fintech | 🍜 Food and Beverage | 🏥 Healthcare | 🌐 IoT | 🚗 Mobility | 🐾 Pet | 🏠 Real Estate | 🧑💻 Software | 🌱 Sustainable | ✈️ Travel
🤖 AI (Artificial Intelligence)
AI startups are redefining efficiency, creativity, and intelligence across sectors—from education to diagnostics.
Global Examples:
- Runway ML (USA): Generative AI for creatives and filmmakers.
- Synthesia (UK): AI video creation with avatars for training and communication.
- Hugging Face (France/USA): Open-source AI hub for developers.
📱 App Startups
The app economy is still booming, especially with hyper-personalisation, community building, and gamification.
Global Examples:
- BeReal (France): Authentic photo sharing app that values spontaneity.
- Wysa (India/UK): AI-driven mental health support.
- Too Good To Go (Denmark): Rescuing surplus food with a swipe.
💅 Beauty and Wellness
2025 will favour clean, inclusive, and tech-integrated wellness startups.
Global Examples:
- Forest Essentials (India): Ayurvedic beauty brand blending tradition and luxury.
- Calm (USA): Meditation and sleep app with millions of happy users.
- Function of Beauty (USA): Customisable hair and skin products.
🔐 Cybersecurity
As data becomes currency, cybersecurity startups are our digital vaults.
Global Examples:
- Tines (Ireland): No-code automation for security ops.
- Cybereason (USA/Israel): AI-driven cyber defence platform.
- Halborn (USA): Web3 and crypto security audits and services.
🛍️ Ecommerce
From microbrands to niche marketplaces, ecommerce is getting smarter and more sustainable.
Global Examples:
- Nykaa (India): Empowering beauty commerce and content.
- Depop (UK): Fashion resale marketplace loved by Gen Z.
- Verishop (USA): Lifestyle marketplace focused on ethical brands.
📚 Edtech
The shift to skills over degrees is opening doors to creative, impact-driven Edtech ventures.
Global Examples:
- Duolingo (USA): Gamified language learning with global reach.
- GoStudent (Austria): One-on-one tutoring across Europe.
- Classplus (India): Mobile platform enabling tutors to scale.
👗 Fashion
In 2025, fashion startups will blend sustainability, inclusivity, and tech-forward retail.
Global Examples:
- PANGAIA (UK): Science-led sustainable fashion.
- Cuyana (USA): ‘Fewer, better’ fashion philosophy.
- Reflaunt (Singapore): Resale tech enabling circular fashion for brands.
💰 Fintech
The fintech wave is far from over—payments, wealth tech, and inclusion are key themes.
Global Examples:
- Niyo (India): Neo banking for Indian professionals abroad.
- Stash (USA): Micro-investing and financial literacy platform.
- Monese (UK): Mobile banking for expats and freelancers.
🍜 Food and Beverage
Consumers are demanding healthier, greener, and more convenient food options.
Global Examples:
- Oddbox (UK): Reducing food waste with ugly-but-fresh produce boxes.
- Daily Harvest (USA): Plant-based meal delivery with eco packaging.
- Blue Tribe (India): Plant-based meats with local flavours.
🏥 Healthcare
Digital-first healthcare is empowering patients like never before.
Global Examples:
- CureApp (Japan): Prescription digital therapeutics for chronic diseases.
- Mfine (India): Instant access to online doctors and tests.
- Alodokter (Indonesia): Healthcare platform connecting patients with professionals.
🌐 IoT (Internet of Things)
IoT startups are improving life with smart homes, wearables, and industrial automation.
Global Examples:
- Cove (India): Smart home automation at affordable pricing.
- Particle (USA): IoT hardware and cloud for developers.
- Blaize (USA): Edge AI chips for smart cameras and cities.
🚗 Mobility
With EVs, ride-sharing, and smart transport, mobility is undergoing its biggest shift yet.
Global Examples:
- Bounce Infinity (India): Electric scooter subscription and battery swapping.
- Cabify (Spain): Sustainable ride-sharing platform.
- Helbiz (USA/Italy): Micro-mobility services in urban areas.
🐾 Pet Startups
Pet care is now a lifestyle category—with innovation in health, nutrition, and services.
Global Examples:
- Ollie (USA): Human-grade, personalised dog food.
- Supertails (India): Online pet pharmacy and vet care.
- BorrowMyDoggy (UK): A dog-sharing community for busy pet lovers.
🏠 Real Estate
Smart living, co-ownership, and digital convenience are driving real estate innovation.
Global Examples:
- Brick&Bolt (India): Tech-driven home construction platform.
- Casavo (Italy): Instant home buying with transparency.
- Rhino (USA): Replacing rental security deposits with monthly insurance.
🧑💻 Software
Software is the backbone of every modern business—2025 will see a rise in AI-first SaaS, low-code platforms, and remote collaboration tools.
Global Examples:
- Notion (USA): Productivity hub for teams and creators.
- ClickUp (USA): All-in-one project and task management.
- Freshworks (India): Customer support and sales automation tools.
🌱 Sustainable Startups
Green is not a niche anymore—climate-first, plastic-free, and circular economy are now central.
Global Examples:
- Banyan Nation (India): Data-led plastic recycling innovation.
- EcoCart (USA): Carbon neutral plugin for ecommerce.
- CleanHub (Germany): Ocean plastic tracking and waste management.
✈️ Travel
Travel is back—with a purpose. Think slow, smart, sustainable travel powered by tech.
Global Examples:
- Safara (USA/UK): Sustainable hotel bookings with rewards.
- PickYourTrail (India): Custom travel planning made easy.
- Byway (UK): Flight-free travel planning for eco-friendly trips.
🌍 Your Next Big Startup Is Waiting…
As we enter a future shaped by AI, sustainability, and empathy, these startup categories are more than trends—they’re opportunities to lead, solve real problems, and build legacies.
✨ At GlobalIcons, we celebrate fearless founders building the future. Which category speaks to you the most?
👇 Tell us in the comments
