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Every year, Nikhil @ Footwork asks other VCs about the next big thing, and he recaps all of their responses. Here’s the archived lists from 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021.

He recently released the latest predictions, so let’s see what other VCs are betting on going into 2025 …

Today’s highlights

  • Where VCs are betting in 2025

  • Private wealth 🤝 emerging VCs

  • Venture feedback loops shouldn’t be that long

  • Which type of Silicon Valley thinkboi are you?

TOP
The next big things in venture 🔮

Nikhil Basu Trivedi (GP @ Footwork) releases these predictions every year, and they’ve become one my favorite places to see what smart people are building in the near and long-term.

Here are some of the predictions that stood out from this year’s list:

  • AI Agents and Interfaces
    The rise of AI-driven personal agents and interfaces is reshaping how individuals and businesses interact with technology. These tools promise to simplify decision-making, automate workflows, and create personalized user experiences.

  • Consumer AI
    AI applications tailored for everyday use are hitting their stride, with tools like ChatGPT and AI-powered content creation setting the standard. Expect a surge in accessible and intuitive AI tools designed for the mass market.

  • Real-Time AI
    Real-time decision-making powered by AI is transforming industries like logistics, finance, and gaming. The demand for low-latency, high-efficiency models is accelerating innovation in this space.

  • AI-Native Hardware
    Custom silicon and next-gen computing architectures built explicitly for AI workloads are on the rise. These technologies promise to make AI applications faster, cheaper, and more scalable.

  • AI-Native Organizations
    Companies are increasingly built with AI-first principles, using automation and data-driven decision-making as foundational strategies. These organizations will redefine how businesses operate and scale.

  • AI Business Models
    Novel revenue models leveraging the unique capabilities of AI are emerging, from freemium SaaS to usage-based pricing. The future of business is increasingly tied to AI monetization strategies.

  • Software Development and Small Teams
    Advances in developer tools and automation are empowering small teams to achieve outsized impacts. Expect more startups scaling rapidly with lean teams and streamlined workflows.

  • Privacy and Private Internets
    With data sovereignty and privacy concerns mounting, the concept of private internets is gaining traction. Companies are rethinking how user data is stored, shared, and protected.

  • Crypto-Fintech in the Real Economy
    Blockchain and crypto technologies are maturing into practical applications, from decentralized finance to real-world use cases in supply chains and payments.

  • GLP-1s and Beyond
    The boom in GLP-1 medications for weight management and metabolic health is sparking interest in adjacent biotech innovations and personalized medicine.

  • Robotics and Automation
    Robots are moving beyond warehouses and factories into homes, restaurants, and retail. The next wave of innovation will focus on human-robot collaboration and accessible automation.

  • Space and Defense
    Investment in space tech and defense is accelerating, driven by geopolitical tensions and advancements in satellite technology, launch systems, and autonomous defense systems.

  • Government Tech
    Modernizing outdated government systems is becoming a priority, with startups targeting procurement, public services, and defense innovation.

  • Independent Media
    A new generation of media startups is focusing on niche audiences, creator-driven platforms, and monetization models that prioritize sustainability over scale.

COMMUNITY
”A luck generator” for anybody working in venture 👥

Because who doesn’t like getting lucky …

HEADLINES

  • Private wealth offers lifeline for emerging VCs (Pitchbook)

  • What will this year bring in VC? (TechCrunch)

  • Inside the wild fall and last-minute revival of Bench, the VC-backed accounting startup that imploded over the holidays (TechCrunch)

  • Better Days for VC Fundraising Aren’t Right Around the Corner (WSJ)

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