The global Hi-Tech Health and Wellness sector has seen exponential growth during the last years and, according to market reports, will reach USD 1 trillion in revenues in 2017. The end of the 20th century marked the rapid introduction of new technologies and large investments in the Life Sciences arena. These developments have accelerated the emergence of new, disruptive, business initiatives capable of growing rapidly. Hence the emergence of the 6th Kondratieff Wave: High Technology empowering healthier lifestyles.
The most urgent and basic needs of consumers have migrated to a clear focus on living in social harmony and nurturing a sustainable environment. The 9-to-5 mentality has changed to a 24/7 mind-set which manifests itself in a consistent pace, a constant alertness and an ever-faster way of living. To meet the challenges of a persistent drive to balance a socially acceptable combination of “work and play”, many businesses were created that are accommodating the notion that “a healthier mind and body is a joy forever”.
The global shift towards a healthier lifestyle and consumption of healthier food and beverages is resulting in a range of new products that cater to this expanding market: all natural, non-GMO and without additives or preservatives. The “Snacking Nation” has arrived and is here to stay.
Our conviction is that the future lies in the hands of the many, rather than the few: smaller versatile businesses are better able to actively create new directions, at lower cost and higher speed, than large traditional incumbents.
Our main challenge is to identify new areas of investment that can accelerate the global attention for, and involvement in, health and wellness, while at the same time not neglecting “old-fashioned” business ethics and earning potential. An essential aspect is the assessment of the people driving these businesses as we are convinced that human capital is our most important investment consideration.
In other words, if a company is indeed in the right place and the right space at the right time, then we will look for entrepreneurs that can nurture the proposition and manage new and evolving market strategies. These entrepreneurs need to be flexible and mature enough to implement contingency plans should markets adopt new products or novel enabling technologies.
The Sixth Wave - Into a Sustainable, Cleaner and Healthier Future 