If you are a freelance content creator you may find it useful to pitch to highly competitive industries, as these will be hungry for new and creative content.
Add the extra parameter of “well-funded” start-ups and you get the good stuff.
The B2B (business-to-business) markets that are currently crowded, competitive, and of high value from a service-selling perspective typically align with sectors experiencing significant growth and innovation. Here are some of the most notable ones:
1. SaaS (Software as a Service) 8/10
- Description: Software delivery model where applications are hosted by a service provider and made available to customers over the internet.
- Crowded & Competitive: High due to low entry barriers and high demand.
- High Value: Increasing adoption by businesses of all sizes for CRM, ERP, project management, etc.
- Service Opportunities: Implementation, customization, training, and support services.
2. Cloud Computing 5/10
- Description: Delivery of computing services (servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, etc.) over the internet (the cloud).
- Crowded & Competitive: Dominated by giants like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, with many smaller players.
- High Value: Essential for digital transformation, offering scalability and cost-efficiency.
- Service Opportunities: Migration services, cloud management, security, compliance, and optimization.
3. Cybersecurity 3/10
- Description: Protection of internet-connected systems, including hardware, software, and data, from cyberattacks.
- Crowded & Competitive: High due to the rising frequency and sophistication of cyber threats.
- High Value: Increasing budgets for cybersecurity across all industries.
- Service Opportunities: Security assessments, managed security services, incident response, and compliance consulting.
4. Digital Marketing and Advertising 7/10
- Description: Promoting products or brands via electronic media.
- Crowded & Competitive: Numerous agencies and freelancers with a variety of specialties.
- High Value: Continuous growth in online advertising spend.
- Service Opportunities: SEO, content marketing, social media management, PPC advertising, and analytics.
5. Fintech 7/10
- Description: Technology applied to improve financial activities.
- Crowded & Competitive: Growing number of startups and traditional financial institutions adopting fintech solutions.
- High Value: Significant investment in technologies like blockchain, mobile payments, and digital banking.
- Service Opportunities: Integration services, compliance and regulatory consulting, blockchain development, and data analytics.
6. Healthcare IT 5/10
- Description: Application of IT to healthcare, including electronic health records (EHR), telemedicine, and healthcare analytics.
- Crowded & Competitive: High due to regulatory changes and the push for digital transformation in healthcare.
- High Value: High due to potential for cost savings and improved patient care.
- Service Opportunities: EHR implementation, telemedicine solutions, data security, and compliance consulting.
7. E-commerce Platforms 2/10
- Description: Online platforms facilitating commercial transactions between buyers and sellers.
- Crowded & Competitive: Dominated by major players like Shopify, Magento, and BigCommerce, with many niche platforms.
- High Value: Continued growth in online shopping.
- Service Opportunities: Platform development, integration, optimization, and digital marketing.
8. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning 7/10
- Description: Technologies enabling machines to mimic human intelligence and learn from data.
- Crowded & Competitive: Growing number of AI startups and established companies adopting AI.
- High Value: AI’s potential to revolutionize various industries by improving efficiency and decision-making.
- Service Opportunities: Custom AI development, data analysis, training AI models, and AI strategy consulting.
9. Supply Chain and Logistics 8/10
- Description: Management of the flow of goods and services.
- Crowded & Competitive: High due to the complexity of global supply chains and the need for efficiency.
- High Value: Enhanced by technologies like IoT and blockchain.
- Service Opportunities: Supply chain optimization, logistics management software, and blockchain-based solutions for transparency.
10. HR Tech
- Description: Technology solutions for human resources management.
- Crowded & Competitive: Many startups and established players offering innovative HR solutions.
- High Value: Due to the importance of talent management and workforce optimization.
- Service Opportunities: HR software implementation, training, analytics, and compliance consulting.
Each of these markets presents substantial opportunities for selling services, provided you can offer unique value propositions that address specific pain points within these crowded and competitive spaces.