Market Gap Watchlist: Emerging Trends for 2025 (Part 2)

Introduction

Welcome back! We’re diving back into the industries that are set to make a huge impact in 2025. Last time, we uncovered some promising areas with market gaps that are already on their way to big things—full of untapped opportunities and just waiting for the right ideas.

This time around, we’re exploring a fresh batch of markets that are moving fast and ready to take off even further. And with all this change comes the chance to step in, solve real problems, and grab those opportunities others haven’t yet. These are the kinds of moves that make a real difference.

So, if you’re curious about where things are headed and what opportunities are about to pop up, you’re in the right spot. Let’s get into it and see what’s coming up next!

1. Live Streaming Market

Live streaming is on fire, and it’s not hard to see why. People don’t just want to watch pre-recorded videos anymore—they want something real, something happening right now. They want to interact, ask questions, get answers, and feel like they’re part of the action.

The live-streaming market hit USD 87.55 billion back in 2023 and is projected to grow at a 23.0% CAGR from 2024 to 2030. People want that direct connection, and platforms like Instagram, Twitch and YouTube give it to them—letting audiences jump in, ask questions, and get responses instantly.

And these big names are still dominating the market, but there’s more going on under the surface. Niche platforms are starting to get their shine, too—focusing on everything from education to professional networking. It’s a space that’s expanding in all sorts of directions.

Potential Market Gaps:

  1. Room for the Niche Creators: Twitch and YouTube are great, but they’re crowded. There’s a need for smaller, niche platforms where specialized creators—like educators or industry pros—can thrive without competing with massive streamers for attention.
  2. Better Monetization for the Little Guys: The big streamers are raking in money, but smaller creators? Not so much. There’s a gap here for new monetization tools—like micro-sponsorships or easier revenue-sharing options—that could help newcomers make money without needing a huge following.

2. Renewable Energy Market

All right, renewable energy is more than a buzzword—it’s becoming the backbone of our future energy supply. With climate pressures mounting and regulations tightening, the world’s looking for greener ways to power everything.

The renewable energy market was worth USD 1.21 trillion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a 17.2% CAGR from 2024 to 2030. Developed countries are doubling down on low-carbon fuels and stricter environmental policies, which is a huge boost for renewables. In the past few years, renewable capacity has grown massively—thanks to the pressure to cut down greenhouse gases and clean up our act.

The U.S. is leading the charge with supportive policies and an abundance of biomass resources. In Germany, the focus has been on ditching fossil fuels, investing big in solar, and aiming for energy independence. The solar boom is real, helped by government incentives like feed-in tariffs, which make solar an attractive option for everyone—from large businesses to homeowners.

And it’s not just about going green. Companies in the renewable sector are racing to innovate—pushing tech advancements to cut costs and make renewable energy even more accessible.

Potential Market Gaps:

  1. Storage for Small Players: Big renewable projects are solving their storage issues, but smaller users—like households or local businesses—are still struggling. There’s a gap for compact and affordable energy storage solutions that fit smaller setups, making solar and wind power more practical for everyone.
  2. Neighborhood Energy Sharing: Imagine this—your solar panels are producing more energy than you need, and instead of sending it back to the grid, you could share it with your neighbours. Creating peer-to-peer energy trading tools could make renewables more community-oriented and efficient.

3. Augmented Reality (AR) Market

Let’s talk about AR—it’s finally moving beyond the novelty phase. No more just cool demos; we’re seeing AR being put to real, practical use, and it’s starting to change the way people shop, learn, and even receive medical care.

The AR market was valued at USD 83.65 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a 37.9% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. The driving force here? The tech is just getting better—more powerful hardware, smarter software, and AI integration have taken AR experiences to a whole new level.

The retail and e-commerce sectors are huge drivers. People love being able to use AR to “try before they buy”—whether it’s previewing furniture in their living room or virtually trying on clothes. It makes shopping more interactive and fun, which, of course, is great for boosting sales.

But AR isn’t just stopping there. The healthcare sector is also getting in on the action—using AR for medical training, surgical visualization, and improving patient care. And, with all the new collaborations happening between tech companies and other industries, AR is quickly branching out into new, creative applications that meet specific market needs.


Potential Market Gaps

  1. Industry-Specific AR Apps: While retail and healthcare are making great strides with AR, other industries are still lagging behind. There’s room for more industry-specific AR tools. Tailored AR applications could open up entirely new ways of working and learning.
  2. Simplified Development Platforms: Creating AR experiences is still pretty complex. Developers need easier tools to bring their AR ideas to life. There’s a gap for simplified AR development platforms that allow non-specialists to create, test, and deploy AR content—much like how website builders made creating websites accessible to everyone.

    4. Cloud TV Market

    This isn’t exactly a new industry, but Cloud TV is definitely stepping into the spotlight now. The way people watch TV has completely changed—nobody wants to stick to rigid schedules or deal with cable anymore. We want our favorite content at our fingertips, whenever we’re in the mood.

    The cloud TV market was valued at USD 1.24 billion in 2023, with a projected growth of 26.9% CAGR from 2024 to 2030. People are embracing on-demand content—whether it’s on smart TVs, phones, or tablets. The convenience factor is driving massive growth, letting viewers decide when and where they want to watch.

    The tech behind it is also pushing the industry forward. Cloud infrastructure gives broadcasters a way to scale easily, avoiding huge investments in physical hardware while delivering seamless content to viewers. Streaming advancements like adaptive bitrate streaming and CDNs mean less buffering and better quality, which keeps audiences coming back for more. And the industry is cashing in—M&A activities are at an all-time high as everyone wants a piece of the cloud TV action.

    Potential Market Gaps:

    1. Interoperability Between Platforms: Right now, people have subscriptions across different services—Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and more. Switching between these platforms to find a show can be a hassle. There’s an opportunity for an aggregator service that brings all cloud TV content into one interface, making it easier for users to find what they’re looking for, regardless of the platform it’s on.
    2. Community-Watch Features: As people look for more interactive experiences, there’s room for community-watch features that go beyond standard viewing. Imagine being able to watch a show or a movie simultaneously with a community of fans—complete with live chat, discussion prompts, or voting on alternate endings. It turns passive viewing into a social experience, catering to niche groups and die-hard fans who want to connect over the content they love.

    Conclusion

    So, that’s where we’ll pause for now. We’ve explored some exciting markets, highlighted the market gaps, and hopefully sparked a few ideas along the way. Remember, with all this change happening, there are plenty of chances out there for those ready to jump in and make a difference.

    We’re just getting started, though. More industries are coming up, and with them, more opportunities. If you haven’t checked out Part 1 yet, give it a read—you don’t want to miss any of the insights we’ve already shared.

    Thanks for hanging out, and stay tuned—there’s a lot more to discover together!

    Ivan Zografski

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