When I started my freelance writing business, I had no idea what I was doing. I had already been writing as a salaried employee, so I knew about the craft itself. But when it came to the ins and outs of business — like filing my tax return (cry!), negotiating rates, and signing contracts — it was a massive learning curve.
If you’re an entrepreneur, you already know that from the offerings (the doing) to the everyday operations (what we do to get the doing done), the learning never ends. And if you’re curious about entrepreneurship, let me manage your expectations: seriously, the learning never ends.
Part of this constant learning curve involves the precarious business balancing act. You know it, I know it … One foot rooted in the present and the other dangling in the future, attempting, at least, to predict what happens next.
On the latter, I‘m here to save you time and stress. I’ve scoured through a bunch of data and gained insights from fellow entrepreneurs to forecast 10 trends in entrepreneurship for 2025. So grab your beverage of choice, sit back, relax, and keep reading to discover:
Table of Contents
Essential Entrepreneurship Trends to Know in 2025
Let’s get straight into it with 10 data-backed and expert-led entrepreneurship trends you can expect to see in 2025.
1. The adoption of AI will continue.
If I‘ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times: Regardless of how you feel about the tech, the AI genie isn’t going back in the bottle. In fact, the adoption of artificial intelligence in business is only on the rise.
For example, HubSpot’s latest AI Trends for Sales data shows that AI adoption in sales surged from 24% in 2023 to 43% this year. Meanwhile, HubSpot’s 2024 AI Trends for Marketers finds that 48% of marketing leaders have invested in AI tools for their teams.
Still not convinced? Looking at HubSpot’s State of AI in Customer Service survey data: “84% of respondents say AI/automation tools will be instrumental in helping them meet customer service expectations.”
Expert Insights
Roland Jakob is an entrepreneur, executive leadership coach, and managing partner at BlazeKin.Media. Jakob has spent over 15 years helping top brands like Coca-Cola, IKEA, and Starbucks form impactful partnerships with creative talent. Jakob also believes that AI and automation will be unavoidable in 2025.
“I think that companies holding out on these tools will struggle to stay competitive,” says Jakob. “From what I’ve seen, even smaller startups are finding ways to integrate AI to handle repetitive tasks or personalize customer experiences, allowing founders to focus on bigger-picture goals.”
But what’s driving this uptake? Jakob believes “AI is becoming a core component, especially as efficiency and cost-saving measures take priority in a tight economy.”
My Takeaway
If you‘ve read my previous scribblings about AI, you’ll know I‘m “skeptically optimistic” about the tech. Simply put, I remain skeptical about many AI use cases. I will never say AI can do things well that it just can’t. I’m a strident advocate for human oversight. And I don’t believe AI will replace the necessity for a human workforce anytime soon.
That said, I see the value of artificial intelligence when it‘s integrated thoughtfully. Therefore, I’m not surprised more folks will want to discover how AI might work for them in 2025.
Pro tip: Need some inspiration? Check out my previous piece about AI business integration to see how the experts make new tech work for them.
2. But, we’ll shift from AI experimentation to full-scale implementation.
Looking at customer service as a use case, AI has gone beyond automating basic tasks to more advanced implementation across systems and processes. Now, nearly 80% of service leaders believe AI will be able to resolve the majority of tickets without a customer service rep by 2025.
For some much-needed balance, only 34% believe AI will completely replace the human workforce. As for me, I’ve interviewed multiple customer service experts about AI in the last few years, and I believe it will save your agents time, but it won’t replace them.
Expert Insights
Jake Munday, CEO and co-founder of Custom Neon, a global manufacturer and retailer of custom-designed LED neon lights and signs, shares their thoughts about this trend.
“In 2025, we’re going to see a genuine shift from experimentation with AI to full-scale implementation, driving the evolution of the truly intelligent enterprise,” says Munday.
According to Munday, many businesses have already dabbled and moved beyond proof-of-concept projects and started integrating AI into core business operations with real, measurable results.
Munday explains that this trend will accelerate across the board because those reluctant to use AI are now realizing the tangible benefits, particularly when it comes to streamlining processes and enhancing customer experiences.
He adds, “It’s a case of innovating or stagnating with AI.”
My Takeaway
As I said above (broken record alert!), we know AI isn‘t going anywhere. And even if you haven’t adopted the tech into your systems and processes, a bunch of folks already have.
That’s not to say there was anything inherently wrong with not jumping aboard the AI train in the first few years. Honestly, where others have gone full steam ahead — not always with a happy ending — I think there’s been a strong case for showing some restraint …
Kind of like how some primates will watch other members of their group eat new types of berries first. Why? They want to make sure nothing goes terribly wrong before they gobble novel food that could be poisonous.
Either way, we can all benefit from any learnings during the experimentation phase and move toward implementation more confidently. But even now, I think we still need to experiment carefully and implement gradually.
3. As a result, the demand for data security and transparency will increase.
Immuta’s AI Security & Governance Report surveyed 700+ data experts from around the globe, and 80% agree that “AI is making data security more challenging.”
A significant risk raised by 52% of those surveyed was the chance of AI attacks via threat actors. Furthermore, 57% of data experts have experienced increased AI-driven attacks in the last year.
When it comes to data privacy, Immuta’s report finds that 55% of experts are concerned about large language models (LLMs) accidentally leaking sensitive data. And more than 50% think user prompts could expose sensitive information via LLMs. Beyond the cold-hard stats, consumers are more aware of security and privacy issues than ever.
Expert Insights
Steven Castellano, CEO of eBallot, an online platform specializing in secure voting and decision-making solutions, expands on the above. “In 2025, I see two trends that’ll shape how entrepreneurs operate, and both come down to building real connections and trust,” says Castellano.
First, Castellano says, trust-first business models will take center stage.
“Running eBallot, I‘ve seen the demand for transparency and security skyrocket. People want to know exactly where their data goes, who’s handling it, and how companies are keeping it safe,” Castellano says.
Castellano warns that it‘s not just lip service anymore; clients ask pointed questions, and they want real answers. “I think businesses that don’t put transparency front and center will lose their edge. Trust has become something you earn daily, not just once.”
My Takeaway
I recently penned a piece about AI data protection. There was a common theme among the experts I interviewed: With all the benefits of this tech, one of the most significant downsides is the risk AI poses to data protection and cybersecurity.
But here’s where it gets even more interesting. Many of the same folks I interviewed felt that the best solution to bad AI in this regard was good AI.
An example of ‘good AI’ would be using the tech to simulate potential cyber-attacks (aka ‘bad AI’) and attacker’s behavior. That way, you can head these bad-faith actors off at the pass before they cause serious harm to your business.
4. And, we’ll see the rise of AI governance platforms.
If Immuta‘s AI Security & Governance Report findings (above) weren’t enough to convince you about the need for AI governance, allow Informatica’s annual survey of global data leaders to drive the point home.
Aside from the issues with data security and privacy cited in the previous trend, around 40% of data leaders find the increasing volume and variety of data to be a significant blocker in executing their data strategy.
The result? A behemoth, 100% of global data leaders planned to invest in data management capabilities in 2024.
Expert Insights
Sandeep Kashyap, the chief executive officer of project management software ProofHub, agrees that the rise of AI governance platforms will be an important trend in entrepreneurship in 2025. “As AI becomes more integral to our processes, we need systems to monitor its impact on ethical and safety standards,” says Kashyap.
Kashyap notes that these governance platforms will be crucial for IT leaders, helping ensure that AI innovations are fair, transparent, and accountable.
“The growing emphasis on responsible AI usage — particularly in areas like fraud detection and decision-making in finance — reflects a strong commitment to building trust in technology,” Kashyap says.
Kashyap believes that AI adoption will likely come with established standards for entrepreneurs, opening up opportunities for businesses that prioritize responsible, transparent tech use.
My Takeaway
AI governance is the processes, guidelines, and mechanisms you put in place to make sure AI tools and systems are safe and ethical and don’t break any international data laws. Without a governance platform, managing all of this soon gets complex.
I don’t want to be biased here because there are plenty of great AI data governance platforms, but my go-to is Secoda. Secoda is a data warehouse and AI/LLM integration for data governance, lineage, and compliance.
I tested it out in my piece about AI tools for businesses, and I’ve been a massive fan ever since. I highly recommend this platform if you need a no-code solution to wrangle your ever-growing data bank.
5. A balance between digital efficiency and personal connection will also be required.
Trends one through four make it clear entrepreneurs will continue to integrate AI into their businesses. However, business use aside, how does the general public feel about the tech? According to YouGov’s study of 6+ million Americans, 37% are “AI optimists.” Meanwhile, 29% are “AI ignorant,” and 34% are “AI abstainers.”
When the rubber hits the road, over 60% of the U.S. population consciously chooses to avoid AI or is entirely ignorant of it. Yikes! Whether you’re trying to encourage everyday folks to use your AI tool or want them to feel confident about how or why you use artificial intelligence within your business, you must bridge the gap between that 29% and 60%.
Expert Insights
Steven Castellano, CEO of eBallot, who shared their first trend prediction earlier, thinks entrepreneurs can achieve this by retaining the human touch and encouraging personal connection. “The second trend I see is a move toward hybrid business models that blend digital efficiency with personal connection,” says Castellano.
“We’ve seen how much people miss human interaction, even in digital services like ours. I believe the brands that manage to keep a human touch, even in a high-tech world, will be the ones people stick with,” Castellano says.
He adds: “It’s funny — in a world where everything’s AI-based and automated, people want the reassurance of real, tangible connections. In 2025, entrepreneurs who can find that balance — between being digitally seamless and genuinely personal — will be the ones that thrive.”
My Takeaway
At this point, I‘ve interviewed enough AI integrators and experts across multiple niches to shout this from the rooftops … AI cannot replace the human touch. That’s especially true in any area that involves customer interaction, like customer service or sales. So, this trend prediction really resonates with me!
6. Leading to a shift towards greater customer personalization.
A 2024 HubSpot Blog Survey of 422 U.S.-based B2B professionals emphasizes the need for personalization.
Looking at the data, nearly 75% of customers say personalized information tailored to their specific needs/goals is critical to making a B2B purchase decision. Segment’s State of Personalization Report 2024 shows similar findings, with 56% of consumers more likely to make a repeat purchase after a personalized shopping experience.
Given this, it’s no surprise that 77% of marketers already using AI say it assists them to produce more personalized content. Further, HubSpot‘s 2024 AI Trends for Sales data suggests more salespeople are using AI to personalize outreach and close more deals. I can’t see this drive toward customer personalization slowing down anytime soon.
Expert Insights
TrackingMore Founder and CEO Clooney Wang speaks to this trend. “The biggest trend in the B2B SaaS industry in 2025 will be AI-driven personalization at scale,” says Wang.
He adds, “As an entrepreneur and founder in this industry, I’m looking forward to how this trend will transform SaaS platforms and make them more engaging for customers. I expect nearly all SaaS platforms to integrate some form of AI personalization in 2025.”
Wang warns that this will be the only viable way of gaining and retaining customers. Adding, “Beyond marketing, I foresee advanced personalization extending to individual experiences.”
My Takeaway
The verdict is out — in a tech-driven world, your customers still want the human touch. The answer? Highly personalized customer experiences. Here’s what I will say, though: even if you use AI to help you facilitate this, leave your humans at the helm.
I also agree with Clooney Wang’s assertions that founders and developers in B2B SaaS will want to integrate more learning algorithms into their platforms “to improve customer experience across aspects like email, product and feature recommendations, and in-app guidance.”
7. We’ll see the democratization of entrepreneurship continue.
The Department of the Treasury finds that “the United States is averaging 430,000 new business applications per month in 2024.” For context, that’s 50% more than in 2019. Further, “entrepreneurs are also growing more diverse,” with 43% of self-employed Americans being female — the highest percentage yet.
The above data would suggest that more folks — at least in the U.S. — are flocking toward entrepreneurship.
Expert Insights
Gauri Manglik, CEO and co-founder of Instrumentl, shares why she expects this trend to continue into 2025.
“Having founded multiple startups over the past two decades, I’ve seen many entrepreneurship trends come and go,” says Manglik. “Looking ahead to 2025, I believe one of the biggest trends will be the democratization of entrepreneurship.”
She explains that tools and resources that used to only be accessible to those with connections or in Silicon Valley hubs will become available to anyone around the world with an internet connection. Manglik believes this will lead to “an explosion of innovation from unexpected places as people everywhere are empowered to turn their ideas into reality.”
She adds, “I envision a much more diverse and distributed entrepreneurial ecosystem by 2025, unlocking fresh thinking to tackle global challenges. The barriers to launching and scaling a startup will be lower than ever, putting entrepreneurship within reach for people of all backgrounds. It’s an exciting future I can’t wait to be a part of!”
My Takeaway
As a business owner myself, I am so here for this trend. That said, entrepreneurship can be a wild ride. So, if you‘re thinking about it, please know that it’s not always glitz and glam like the gazillionaire social media influencers make it out to be.
Yes, the flexibility and freedom of entrepreneurship are near-unbeatable perks, in my humble opinion. However, the pros aside, the cons will ask you to go to your edge — and beyond it.
8. But, financial resilience must be front and center.
As I mentioned in trend number seven, the ups of entrepreneurship are exhilarating. Still, the downs can require extreme grit, determination, and resilience. The financial aspect of running a business is one area that often requires those strengths in abundance. You need only look to the pandemic years to see how unforeseeable events can take a business to its financial edge.
As for 2024 and beyond, inflation is one of the most pressing issues for businesses in the here and now. Statista’s monthly U.S. inflation rate data cites a price increase of 2.4% from September 2023 to 2024 as per the 12-month percentage change in the consumer price index.
Statista’s projected annual U.S. inflation rate predicts that number will fall from 2.9% to 2% in 2025. However, the issue of rising business costs due to inflation is still set to dominate financial decisions for entrepreneurs.
Expert Insights
BlazeKin.Media Managing Partner Roland Jakob shares their thoughts.
“Financial resilience will also be front and center,” says Jakob. “As economic pressures like inflation persist, entrepreneurs who don’t build adaptability into their strategies will find it difficult to pivot quickly enough.”
According to Jakob, an agile approach to finances can make all the difference when unexpected hits occur.
He recommends “diversifying income sources, cutting back on high-risk investments, and holding reserves are all practical steps for weathering these market shifts.” He adds, “This adaptability isn’t a bonus; it’s survival in today’s environment.”
My Takeaway
In my experience, financial issues don’t always arise from a huge global crisis. Sometimes, they can happen based on unforeseen expenses or a client needing to end a retainer due to budget cuts.
It can be easier said than done — especially when you‘re just starting. But, I’d recommend always having some cash in the hopper for emergencies. And if you’re currently employed, you might be better off gradually dipping your toes into the entrepreneurship waters rather than leaving your job and diving straight in.
9. There’ll be an intense focus on values-driven businesses.
According to Stifel’s Sustainability Survey, 73% of Gen Z would pay more for products made by active/casual lifestyle apparel brands with leading sustainability practices. Plus, NielsenIQ (NIQ) data shows that when purchasing beauty products, Gen Z is “looking for products that are clean, have natural fragrances, and are cruelty-free.”
Given that NIQ research also predicts Gen Z’s spending power will grow to around $2.7 trillion in the next few years, their consumer preferences will likely impact how businesses operate. Aside from this, more and more Gen Z folks are following the entrepreneurial path. This means that their beliefs and values will increasingly shape how businesses are built.
Expert Insights
Roland Jakob agrees.
“Looking to 2025, I believe we’ll see an intense focus on values-driven businesses,” says Jakob. “More young entrepreneurs, many under 25, are motivated by a desire to positively impact their communities and the environment, which is shifting entrepreneurship from profit-focused to purpose-focused.”
He adds, “This is already driving change across industries. I’ve watched as more brands, big and small, now consider not only their financial outcomes but also how they impact the world. I expect this push for socially responsible business to be almost essential for success moving forward.”
My Takeaway
Whatever your priorities, I fully support building a business based on your values. That process doesn’t have to be issue-driven or even overly complex.
The way I built a values-driven business was to write down five values that are important to me. I then mapped out how those values might interact with a) the way I do business and b) who I do business with.
For example, integrity is one of my core values. Part of that means not taking on clients with a product or service, which I disagree with from an ethical standpoint. Has that approach lost me money over the years? Yeppers. Has it lost me sleep? No siree, Bob. (I like to remember that there are different forms of currency in life, and a good night’s sleep is one of them!)
10. Skills and experience will trump formal qualifications when hiring.
Frequent LinkedIn? Then, you‘ve likely seen the oft cringe-inducing posts about hiring for personality over experience and qualifications. While there can be some truth to this approach, I’m here to pitch something more practical. Granted, it’s not likely to reach the lofty heights of social influencer virality anytime soon.
My not-so-hot take: in 2025, skills and experience will typically matter more than formal qualifications.
In fact, Yolk Recruitment research finds that “47% of businesses now consider experience to be the most important factor they look for when hiring new talent.” Meanwhile, only 11% of businesses place the highest value on qualifications.
Expert Insights
Director of ProfileTree Ciaran Connolly, agrees. “The business economy will continue to value skills and experience over qualifications,” says Connolly.
“We have shifted our hiring practices, where expertise and personal skills often outweigh formal education. We are finding we need digital marketers with AI skills, something that is not readily available in the local market — hence, we have to upskill capable new hires,” says Connolly.
My Takeaway
As someone who has worked in recruitment and hired people in the past, I do see the benefits of a prospective candidate having formal qualifications. At a bare minimum, it shows a commitment to your profession.
That said, I‘m always much more interested in whether a candidate has the requisite skills and experience for the role. And if those skills come from someone being self-taught, that’s fine by me!
Trends in Entrepreneurship: My Final Thoughts
I‘m going all Jerry Springer on you — Jeh-ree! Jeh-ree! Jeh-ree! No, it’s not time to call security to break up an intense disagreement about AI. I’m just going to give you my final thoughts on the above trends in entrepreneurship.
Here’s the thing: It’s not impossible to predict potential future trends, but it is impossible to guarantee they come to fruition.
However, given that I‘ve seen more and more businesses adopt AI in the last year, I’m confident this will lead to trends three and four happening in 2025. As a quick refresher, these were a) seeing an increased demand for data security and transparency. And b), seeing the rise of AI governance platforms to help manage data and mitigate risk.
That said, trends come and go, but many of the foundations of entrepreneurship never go out of style. While it‘s important to keep an eye on upcoming trends to stay ahead of the curve — it’s more important to have the right foundations in place.
