When I was reading the full stack startup post by @chrisdixon I stumbled upon the other trends a16z have identified:

  • bitcoin and blockchain: One of my favourite topics at the moment - the blockchain is very, very interesting. There’s less crazies and speculators talking about it and more intellectual discussion about the application of the blockchain. Read this at the WSJ and then How the Bitcoin Protocol Actually Works again.
  • virtual reality: A new creative medium where the default state is disbelief. The last medium, in that all other mediums can be represented within VR. The first time I tried oculus rift I was astounded how good it was. Still very early days for practical applications, not no longer distant future. See also HoloLens, but try to see past MS’ typical fake marketing videos.
  • the full stack startup: As described in my other post, rebuilding industries from scratch.
  • sensorification of the enterprise: Their observation that enterprise UI/UX is still lagging in the refresh cycle. What follows the consumerization of IT? In the enterprise today most people are still at SOE desktops with keyboard and mice. That’s going to change and likely follow the consumer experience (touch, mobile, voice)
  • internet of things: A favourite topic of mine. The industry has not really started, it’s just for early adopters. More devices in your home help you get the job done. Less dumb devices that infuriate you. Probably a transition period of smart devices that infuriate you.
  • machine learning and big data: Getting predictive, instead of analytics and collection. I’m getting a bit bored with all hype about big data, but will always love machine learning.
  • containers: The next step is virtualization of the datacentre (see the datacentre OS mesosphere for an example). I think there’s still a lot more to happen with lightweight containers, like docker but for people that don’t want to muck around setting up container details.
  • online marketplaces: New marketplace models due to mobile, same fundamentals.
  • security: Let’s assume the bad guys are already inside. Now what do we need?
  • cloud-client computing: Can the millions of smart devices connect to the cloud do more than render webpages and simple apps? What comes after the cloud?
  • crowdfunding: Goes mobile and mainstream.
  • online video: This industry is just getting started. Remove “online” it’s available when demanded, new business models, two-sided market places, new sources
  • insurance: Insurance is about redistributing risk: opportunities to price risk better, creates smarter relationships between insurer and the insured, and new ways to pool capital among insurers.
  • devops: Opportunities due to the collaboration, communication and short-cycle releases demanded by internet-scale operations
  • digital health: Diagnostics and analysis. For sure there’s a lot more to come.