We at Space and Lemon (founded in 2016) have formulated strict rules for selecting trends in digital, tech, AI and China. Happy to share our learnings of the past years and the 73 studies run. Strict!

1. Why are we so
strict
in how we
select trends?

2. We have a strict and systematic
research method all about
manifestation of trends - need
to have manifested according to
4 criteria
So that trend selection is
never arbitrary.

3. #1 - "Productive in a major market"
Digital trends must be productive
in at least one major market (USA,
China, GER, FR, UK, Nordics -
sometimes JAP)
Productive means live and
commercial, no proof of concepts,
press releases, academic projects

4. #2 - "Productive in an industry"
Digital trends must be
productive in an industry - not
necessarily the industry which is
being researched, as we view all
digital trends as being cross-
industry

5. #3 - "Major funding"
Start-ups must have
received major funding to be
considered. Major funding
means: $10m in EU, $100m in
USA and China
We make exceptions if
investors are high-profile

6. #4 - "Potential to mainstream"
The potential of a digital trend to
"go mainstream" is measured in
user numbers, app downloads,
revenue, volume of investment or
investor
Small digital trends in a certain
niche are ignored

7. Follow us on LinkedIn
for digital news
every Monday
Digital trend scouting,
opportunity mapping,
business design
and virtual interfaces