Study reveals the top trending businesses of 2026
Tide, the UK’s leading business management platform, has revealed the business types and products that are seeing the largest spikes in interest as the second quarter of 2026 begins.
The findings are part of Tide’s first-ever ‘Business Benchmark Index’ and come from the analysis of Google search data, where the search demand for close to 300 businesses was compared over the last 12 months. The results help to highlight where opportunities for entrepreneurs could lie, as well as hinting at the areas that may quickly see the fiercest competition for customers.
With demand spikes of well over a thousand percent, the business types experiencing the largest increases of interest are primarily in two specific areas: artificial intelligence and wellness.
Plant-based restaurants rank as the top trending business globally, with a huge 7,654% boom in interest over the last 12 months, while other wellness-focused businesses, including supplement brands (+2,273%) and longevity clinics (+1,145%) are also seeing extremely healthy increases in demand.
The world-changing rise of AI is also reflected in the data, with four of the top 10 trending businesses sitting within the growing world of AI. ‘AI startup’ has seen a steep 3,141% increase in interest. This is followed by the growing opportunity for experts to capitalise on the AI hype by offering training on how to use it: the demand for AI coaches has grown by 2,801% in 12 months, while AI mentors also rank with a 1,369% increase.
The World’s 20 Top Trending Businesses For 2026
Rank | Business | 12-Month % Change (Global) |
1 | Plant-based restaurant | 7,654% |
2 | AI startup | 3,141% |
3 | AI coach | 2,801% |
4 | AI automation | 2,462% |
5 | Supplement brand | 2,273% |
6 | E-commerce consultant | 1,910% |
7 | Adventure travel company | 1,627% |
8 | Podcast production | 1,584% |
9 | AI mentor | 1,369% |
10 | Micro influencer | 1,260% |
11 | Airbnb management | 1,258% |
12 | Longevity clinic | 1,145% |
13 | Online course creator | 1,134% |
14 | Pet nutrition | 1,132% |
15 | Vintage resale | 1,110% |
16 | Substack writer | 937% |
17 | Eco travel | 891% |
18 | Online community manager | 883% |
19 | Pet clothing | 869% |
20 | Home fragrance | 863% |
Elsewhere, the appetite for varied travel opportunities is in high demand, with adventure travel ranking as the seventh highest trending business, with a 1,627% increase. Valued at approximately $345.6bn in 2025, the adventure travel market is expected to be worth more than one trillion dollars by 2030*, as tourists seek more experience-led holidays, providing a lucrative area to explore for travel agents and tour operators.
The business of climate-conscious travel is also proving to be a key opportunity for growth, with searches increasing 891% in the past twelve months worldwide..
The Top Trending Businesses in the United Kingdom
In the UK, it’s a similar story, with health-based and AI-focused businesses again leading the way. Here, brands selling supplements are seeing the largest increase in demand, with a 472% rise in interest year-on-year. This increase goes hand-in-hand with a 127% spike for businesses selling collagen, while Pilates studios are leading the way in the fitness world. With more than 12 million people in the UK** now practising Pilates, 2026 could be the perfect time to launch a new studio or go it alone as a Pilates instructor.
Rank | Business | 12-Month % Change (UK) |
1 | Supplement | 472% |
2 | Cryptocurrency | 464% |
3 | AI startup | 364% |
4 | Reformer Pilates studio | 171% |
5 | AI automation | 163% |
6 | AI coach | 143% |
7 | Collagen | 127% |
8 | Pilates studio | 110% |
9 | Airbnb management | 99% |
10 | Streamer | 93% |
Heather Cobb, UK managing director at Tide, said: “Entrepreneurs are constantly scanning the horizon for the next big opportunity, and our data shows just how quickly new industries can gain momentum. From AI services to wellness businesses like Pilates studios and plant-based restaurants, we’re seeing strong signals of where demand is accelerating.
“For anyone thinking about starting a business, these trends can provide a useful starting point – turning a passion or emerging skill into something commercially viable. With the right tools and support, launching a business has never been more accessible.”