Trends Growing Businesses Should Keep On Their Radar In 2025

As businesses prepare for 2025, staying ahead of upcoming trends is no longer an option—it’s a necessity for sustainable growth. From technological advancements reshaping industries to shifts in consumer expectations and global economic dynamics, the landscape is evolving faster than businesses can keep up. But, truly understanding these trends isn’t just about keeping up; it’s about actually leveraging them to create opportunities, outshine competitors, and deliver lasting value.

When it comes to growth, one of my favorite times of the year is when I get to attend the EY Strategic Growth Forum. This is an event that honors some of the fastest growing companies in the U.S., in addition to totaling more than 51B in revenue for the U.S. economy. For business leaders, it can be humbling to see this success, but it’s also valuable to feel recharged by entrepreneurs that are solving problems today. With how quickly the world changes, it’s vital for people to learn from each other and support entrepreneurs who are innovating. There was some valuable data collected prior to the event with the EY Entrepreneur Ecosystem Barometer. The data showed that 73% of entrepreneurs were optimistic about AI and 82% believe the market will be stronger in 2025. Below, I share the key trends that will help to set businesses up for success next year.

1. Purpose is on the rise

Something I really enjoy about the Forum is the effort to focus on purpose and to set entrepreneurs up for success. The event honors some amazing women in the Winning Women program, as well as some impressive minority leaders in the Entrepreneur Alliance Network. In addition to these programs, there’s an effort to identify companies that have a net positive effect on the world. Though I’ve seen this trend at other events, this one in particular had numerous companies that were quickly scaling. Lee Henderson, the Americas EY Private Leader, highlighted that they prioritize finding individuals they can set up for success and meaningful growth.

In speaking to Henderson and other leaders, it seems that the pandemic may have sparked a movement prompting more companies to seek a greater sense of purpose. The pandemic allowed people to reflect on the types of companies they worked for and to consider what’s truly important. Needless to say, many of these fast-growing companies may find that it’s become easier to attract top talent, clients and partners.

The overall winner was someone I met early on in the event, from ABA Centers. This company is an integrated behavioral healthcare organization focused on autism diagnosis and care. Chris Barnett, the CEO, clearly had a passion for purpose with helping to solve a real problem in our society in the way we diagnose and treat autism.

2. AI is shifting how we grow

For many of these companies, the growth didn’t necessarily mean increasing the number of employees. Rather, the companies saw impressive growth through their effective use of technology. AI has made a meaningful difference in helping businesses scale without using human capital. Does this mean that people will no longer have a place in the workforce? No. However, it does imply that many positions may be better filled by technology, which would give people a chance to focus more on things they are uniquely equipped to do.

For instance, Impel, a company that’s revolutionizing the auto industry, uses AI to help with the entire customer lifecycle. From the beginning of the customer relationship to the end, this company proves that seeing the full customer cycle can help identify the areas in which AI or tech can be most useful. In some cases, several automated processes can be implemented to better support customers. In other cases, perhaps only a couple improvements can be made. Regardless of where your company falls on that spectrum, every business and leader should take a step back and ask themselves, “What can tech do for me to enhance the customer experience that will contribute to growth?”

3. Education is evolving

In my upbringing, the commonly held notion used to be that college was the best route to success if you had the means to afford it. However, companies like Transfr have seen significant growth, because they started using Virtual Reality to help train people. Whether in the automotive industry or the construction industry, Transfr trains people to learn skilled jobs using a VR headset.

Today, we’re learning that not only is college not practical for everyone, but it’s no longer the only means to success. With the help of technology, the training and education needed to prepare people for jobs is made possible without school. Technology like this expands the horizon for business growth with its ability to assist in training talent, and it extends opportunities to people who may not have been able to afford college. It also offers the overall benefit of providing more focused training for skilled jobs.

Education opportunities are on the rise, and more companies are reaping the benefits. For example, MPower Financing is a company that’s helping international residents come to the U.S. and receive an education. Companies like these are making a positive impact by financing educational opportunities so students can come to the U.S. to be educated and create value.

I’ve been in entrepreneurship for a while, so I’ve met some of the most innovative entrepreneurs from all over the world. To remain innovative and competitive on a global level, I believe that extending education opportunities to everyone is key to bringing about the best ideas and more diverse ways of thinking.

Looking Ahead to 2025

These trends driving change ahead of 2025 clearly reflect a world that values innovation, adaptability, and customers. Businesses embracing this mindset can set themselves up for more than just surviving uncertainty, but thriving despite it. Whether it’s finding purpose, utilizing AI, or implementing education opportunities, the best way to harness these trends is to make a plan and execute a strategy. By staying informed, growing businesses can transform their current roadblocks into new success routes and secure their status as an industry leader. With that, start putting together a solid plan, learning to adapt, and seizing opportunities for the future.