An early-stage SaaS marketplace taking off, plus 3 more exploding topics

Exploding Topics scours the internet to find emerging trends before they take off.

Here are four of the latest developments, along with some insights and analysis to help you take advantage.

1. MicroAcquire

MicroAcquire is a marketplace for selling and buying SaaS businesses and early-stage startups.

While tech headlines tend to focus on unicorns, a growing number of investors are becoming interested in acquiring lifestyle businesses.

(Like Tiny Capital, which takes inspiration from Warren Buffett — albeit at a smaller scale.)

At the same time, more and more people are building side projects. But not all of these founders are prepared to scale up. Which is where platforms like MicroAcquire come into play.

What’s next:
MicroAcquire is part of the “businesses as products” meta trend.

Companies like Flippa, FE International and Empire Flippers are making it relatively easy to buy and sell businesses.

The average business sells on Empire Flippers for around $200k. Since launching in 2012, its marketplace sales to date have totaled nearly $150M.

FE International facilitated $60M in business sales in its first 6 years. And Flippa — which lists simple websites for as little as $500 — hit $100M in its first 4 years.

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2. Retinol Serum

Searches for retinol serum have increased by 266% over the last 2 years.

What is it?

Retinol serum is a concentrated source of vitamin A applied directly to the skin. This high concentration of vitamin A increases the skin’s rate of cell turnover. Which, when applied regularly, can result in a stronger skin epidermis layer.

Proponents claim that retinol serum can reduce acne breakouts, improve collagen production, and reverse some signs of skin aging.

What’s next:

Retinol serum is one of many K-beauty products with skyrocketing demand. The US imported $624M worth of beauty products from Korea last year. And that doesn’t include the hundreds of US-based beauty brands that are scrambling to create their own versions of popular K-beauty products, like clay masks, pimple patches, and essence toner.

3.Period Underwear

Period underwear are absorbent panties for use during one’s menstrual cycle.

The market for menstrual underwear was valued at $79M in 2019 and is expected to grow to $370M in 2024.

Popular period panty brands include Knix, Thinx, Femtis and Bambody.

What’s next:

Period underwear is part of the “reusable everything” meta trend.

8 out of 10 US-based consumers state that they aim to reduce their daily plastic use.

Other examples of this trend include Stasher bags, silicone straws, reusable kitchen towels, and bamboo cutlery.

4. Gaming Chair

Searches for “gaming chairs” are up 4.2x over the last 5 years.

Gaming chairs are desk chairs designed specifically for gamers.

In terms of functionality, gaming chairs aren’t radically different from ergonomic desk chairs. But they often look different, with colorful decals and aggressive styling.

Ergonomic chairs in general have seen a huge spike in interest as more people work from home. Gaming chairs are riding this wave as well.

In fact, both Herman Miller and Ikea recently announced that they’re designing gaming chairs for the first time (in collaboration with Logitech and Asus, respectively).

What’s next:

Gaming chairs are part of the egaming equipment meta trend. The global esports market is estimated to be worth $17B. And it’s growing at $44% YoY. Like pro athletes, pro esport players require high-end equipment to give them an edge. Other examples of egaming equipment include gaming monitors, gaming glasses, and gaming gloves.