Very important. Market status, trendlines, whitespaces, existing apps, zeitgeist, and figuring out how to play the conditions.

Market trends guide decisions, but they’re not the deciding factor—they’re great context, not conviction. We use trends to validate timing, identify gaps in underserved markets, and understand external forces shaping the opportunities. But the real focus is on fundamentals: founder quality, customer traction, and scalability. Trends will prove out the "why now", but great startups & teams show the "why them". I'd say both are quite critical.

The things I consider when scouting for pre-seed ventures are: 1. Is the problem their tackling systemically going to make the world a better place? 2. Can the product pivot into different sectors (but not rely on market making)? 3. If the company didn't exist, what is the status quo and is the status quo sustainable in the future?

Several months before BDC announced an upcoming boom in the Auto Tech industry, I had already noticed the signs in digital media. A very slight - but still noticeable - uptick in local events, product releases, marketing development, general "buzz", certain business partnerships being formed, and much more. I read between the lines, and although the writing on the wall was small, it was very clear. And it was growing ever-so-slightly larger day by day. The day that I sat in a room with dozens of other business owners while BDC announced an upcoming boom in Auto Tech, I knew it was already here. And I was ready for it.

When evaluating early-stage startups, staying ahead of market trends is vital. Beyond standard analysis, here are unique strategies to uncover hidden opportunities: Cross-Industry Trend Mapping: Identify overlapping trends across industries (e.g., AI in healthcare) to spot untapped potential. Niche Community Listening: Engage in forums, social platforms, and niche communities to observe emerging demands before they hit the mainstream. Trend Longevity Scoring: Assess whether a trend is fleeting or foundational by analyzing historical parallels and its adaptability across sectors. Global Trend Benchmarking: Study international markets for trends that could localize well in emerging economies.

hello my personal point of view when a person wishes to invest in a start-up there are several points look at the first thing is what is the project in the short and medium and long term identify the management team as well at the level of the research and development that the person who will make the final decisions and above all see in which country the team is established there are interests in investing in certain localities certain geographical areas in the world which can benefit from tax reductions in order to be able to might as well give a helping hand to a start-up to get started but don't forget one thing that investing in a start-up can sometimes be risky and involves risks so carefully analyze all the components of the project

You're considering investing in early-stage startups. How do market trends influence your decisions? In my experience, investing in early-stage startups is one of the toughest spaces to navigate. It’s not enough to spot a great product—you need founders with a proven history of execution. Without that, even the most innovative ideas can fail to scale. Unicorns, the rare startups that achieve massive success, are even harder to access for the average investor. These opportunities demand a deep understanding of market trends, a network to uncover them early, and the ability to add post-investment value. Success here requires more than luck—it demands strategy and experience.

More than market trends a clear exit strategy is cricial. Market trends are important to understand and follow, but the strength of the solution and anticipated audience/client base are more likely to influence a start-ups success than the fact a certain trend is current.