Every decade has breakout themes. The 1990s had software, the 2000s saw mobile and the internet, the 2010s was cloud and social media and the 2020s are shaping up to be the decade of AI. But, beneath the AI wave, a set of new industries are taking shape, each with the potential to create significant value pools over the next decade. Here are ten that caught my attention.

1. Health & Longevity
From DNA-based interventions to real-time biomarker tracking, we are moving from “sick care” to continuous, personalized health span management. Combating age-related diseases is attracting billions in investment. Neurotech’s promise is bigger — restoring mobility, enhancing cognition and reimagining human-machine interaction

2. Synthetic Biology
Producing food directly from cell cultures or microbial fermentation rather than traditional animal farming is being driven by sustainability, food security and ethical concerns. Good Meat grows chicken without raising a bird. We may soon design life as easily as we code software

3. Robotics
We’ve moved from robots being industrial arms to intelligent co-workers performing complex tasks. Expect the next leap in humanoids, warehouse automation, agriculture and even elder care. This is a revolution in physical productivity and autonomous supply chains

4. Cybersecurity
As infrastructure becomes more digital and connected, securing physical systems (power plants, water treatment, manufacturing lines) and IOTs from cyber-attacks is becoming a large industry

5. Quantum Tech
Quantum computing is where AI was in 2010. Once scalability is achieved, quantum could alter fields from materials science to finance. Billions are being invested because whoever masters quantum tech will likely control the next generation of computing, cybersecurity and scientific discovery

6. Spatial Computing
Apple’s Vision Pro and Meta’s Quest are just the beginning. Spatial computing will change how we work, learn, design and collaborate, as we merge the digital and physical world into a seamless “third space”

7. Nanotech
The manipulation of matter on an atomic scale is opening opportunities in creating lighter, stronger materials, revolutionising industries like aerospace and others with durable and efficient products

8. Clean Energy & Storage Innovation
The energy sector is undergoing its biggest transformation since electrification. Innovations in batteries, solar panels, fusion energy and carbon capture promise a cleaner and more stable energy future. This is about powering the next century of growth sustainably

9. Space Economy
Once the realm of governments, space is now open for business. The “orbital economy” is already here. Planet Labs’ satellites are helping farmers, insurers and climate scientists every day. Earth’s future may depend on what happens beyond it

10. Regenerative Design
Waste is becoming feedstock. Companies are pioneering molecular recycling and bio-materials that could redefine sustainability, not as compliance, but as profit.