My Secret Formula to Identifying the Next Big Technology Trends

By Arun Mohan, Founder & Managing Director Adfolks LLC- A ZainTECH Company and Developer Evangelist

Navigating the dynamic world of technology requires more than intuition; it demands a strategic approach to predict the next big trend. As an entrepreneur, and investor, I’ve refined a method that combines analysis with market insights to foresee which technologies will shape our future.?

Today, I'm sharing my secret formula, a blend of insight, experience, and strategic thinking that has consistently helped me stay ahead. Here are some of the steps I take.?

Harnessing GitHub's Power: A Window into Developer Interests?

The first step in our journey is to delve into GitHub, the world's largest open-source platform. By exploring top GitHub projects receiving the most stars and using tools like GitHub Explore, GitHut, or Gitstar Ranking, we can identify what the developer community is focusing on. This approach offers a grassroots view of emerging technologies, revealing early signs of what might become mainstream.

Tracking Startup Funding

Next, we turn to startup ecosystems. Platforms such as Crunchbase, AngelList, CB Insights, Owler, and PitchBook provide invaluable data on which startups are attracting significant funding.?

They offer detailed data with different focuses, such as specific industries, types of funding, or geographic regions, which can guide us in pinpointing sectors with high growth potential.

This information is crucial, as it highlights sectors where investors see high growth potential. Paying close attention to industry categories such as AI, FinTech, Biotech, and others, we gain insights into which areas are garnering more funding and attention.?

Additionally, by analyzing investment patterns, including sudden spikes in venture capital and other investments, we can detect trending sectors that might be on the cusp of breakthroughs. Geographic trends also play a crucial role in this analysis. By examining innovation hotspots, not just in traditional tech hubs like Silicon Valley but also in emerging regions, we can better predict and understand where the next wave of innovation might originate. This comprehensive approach enables us to strategically identify and leverage upcoming trends in the dynamic world of technology startups.

Corporate Venture Capital Insights: Following the Leaders

Understanding how the venture arms of established tech firms invest is another critical piece of the puzzle. Corporate Venture Capitals (CVCs) like Cisco Ventures often invest in sectors that align with their strategic interests, providing a clue to future technology directions. Analyzing investments by these CVCs can reveal areas poised for substantial growth and innovation.

Combining Data and Strategic Analysis

By synthesizing data from GitHub trends, startup funding patterns, and CVC insights, we can form a comprehensive picture of the technology landscape. This approach allows us to spot patterns, understand market demands, and predict which technologies will dominate the future.

Patent Analysis and Research Publication

Monitoring the number and types of patents filed in various tech domains can provide insights into where companies are investing their R&D efforts. Similarly, reviewing research papers and publications, especially from leading tech conferences and journals, can indicate the direction of academic and corporate research, often a precursor to practical applications.

Market analysis ?

Leveraging social media analytics tools to gauge public interest and sentiment towards certain technologies can be invaluable. Consumer trends, forums, and discussions on platforms like Reddit, Twitter, or specialized tech forums can provide early signals of growing interest in specific technologies.

? Observing demographic trends like aging populations or shifts in cultural attitudes can help predict areas where technology will be increasingly demanded, such as health tech for older demographics or technologies catering to sustainability-minded younger generations.

Ultimately, no technology exists in a vacuum. The key to its success lies in market demand and consumer behavior. Technologies that align with evolving consumer needs and preferences are more likely to succeed. By keeping a finger on the pulse of market trends and consumer behaviors, we can anticipate which technologies will gain traction.

Creating Your Own Technology Trend Matrix

Let's get hands-on. Imagine you have a matrix in front of you. On one axis, you have indicators like GitHub activity, startup funding, and CVC investments. On the other, you have potential technology sectors like AI, FinTech, and Green Tech. Now, assign scores based on the intensity of activity in each sector. A high score on GitHub? That's a strong signal. Major funding in a sector? That adds more points. This isn't just theory; it's a practical tool you can use right now to gauge the pulse of the tech world.

To demonstrate, let's create a table to effectively visualize and compare the dynamic landscape of various technology sectors. In this matrix, we will focus on three promising areas: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Financial Technology (FinTech), and Green Technology (Green Tech). Our analysis will be based on key indicators of technological growth and interest: GitHub Activity, Startup Funding, and Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) Investments, Investments Research & Patent Trends, Market Demand, and Regulatory Environment.

Each sector will be evaluated on a scale of 1 to 10 across these indicators, offering insights into their current standing and potential for future development. This approach provides a structured and quantifiable way to assess where each technology stands in terms of developer engagement, financial backing, and corporate interest, aiding in identifying emerging trends and investment opportunities. Feel free to use different indicators in your process as needed.

Here’s a brief Interpretation of the table:

AI: High scores in Startup Funding and Market Demand, with solid GitHub activity, suggest robust growth and interest.

FinTech: Strong in CVC Investments and Regulatory Environment, indicating significant corporate and legal interest.

Green Tech: Excels in Research & Patent Trends and Regulatory Environment, reflecting innovation and supportive policies.

Real-World Application: The Blockchain Boom

Think back a few years to the rise of Blockchain. If we had applied our matrix then, the signs were all there: a spike in GitHub projects, a flood of startup funding, and keen interest from tech giants. By scoring high across our matrix, Blockchain would have stood out as a clear trend to watch. This isn't hindsight; it's the kind of foresight our matrix can provide, allowing you to spot and capitalize on emerging technologies before they hit the mainstream.

Your Next Big Opportunity: Identifying Future Trends

Now, let’s turn our attention to the future. Apply the matrix to today's tech landscape. What do you see? AI in healthcare scoring high due to increased research and investments? Augmented Reality in education getting attention on social forums and tech blogs? Green Technology in urban development seeing a surge in funding and public interest? These aren't just guesses; they're calculated predictions based on a methodical approach. By using this matrix, you can start making informed decisions about where to focus your attention in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Identifying the next 'big' technology trend is an art and a science. It requires a deep understanding of the technology life cycle, market demand, consumer behavior, innovation potential, investment trends, and global impact.? The secret formula lies in a multidimensional approach: analyzing developer interests on platforms like GitHub, monitoring startup funding trends, and observing the strategic investments of corporate giants. Our ability to anticipate and leverage these trends is key to shaping a future that is innovative, sustainable, and inclusive.