Hey y’all - In the world of startups, there's a buzz that never dies. One day it’s AI, the next it's Web3. Creator tools, climate tech, edtech, biotech trends come in waves, and they move fast.

So the million-dollar question: Should founders follow trends?

The short answer? Yes and no.

The long answer is what this deep dive is all about.

Let’s break it down into what founders must understand, internalize, and act on before jumping on the trend bandwagon or boldly choosing to ignore it.

Why Smart Startup Builders Know When to Ride the Wave and When to Row Their Own Boat

What Are Trends, Really?

Trends are patterns of behavior or innovation that gather momentum over time. In startups, they often manifest as:

• Investor funding flowing into one sector (AI, for example)

• An explosion of new tools or platforms (e.g. no-code)

• Shifts in consumer behavior (e.g. remote work, plant-based eating)

• Macro-level changes (e.g. government regulation, Gen Z consumption patterns)

Following trends is like surfing a wave. If you time it right, you accelerate fast. If you mistime it, you’re wiped out before you're even up.

The Case For Following Trends

Let’s start with the benefits. Why do so many great companies start by riding a wave?

1. Investor Appetite Matches Market Buzz: VCs and angel investors love to back what’s “hot.” If your startup aligns with the current hype cycle, you’re more likely to raise capital quickly.

2. Early Adoption Means Early Advantage: If you're early to a trend, you can build fast, grab market share, and own mindshare. First-mover advantage still matters if done with speed and substance.

3. Trends Create Ready-Made Demand: In fast-growing sectors, demand often outpaces supply. Customers are actively searching for solutions. That’s a dream for any founder trying to find early traction.

The Case Against Blindly Following Trends

But here’s the catch. Trend-chasing without grounding leads to fragile businesses. Why?

1. Trends Fade Foundations Last: What’s hot today may go cold tomorrow. If your business isn’t built on real value or differentiation, you’re in trouble when the buzz fades.

2. Crowded Spaces = Brutal Competition

Trendy markets attract a flood of competitors. Many are just clones. In such a crowded space, differentiation becomes harder and CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost) often shoots up.

3. Product-Market Fit Gets Skipped

Many trend-following founders build before deeply validating the problem. They chase market heat, not user pain. Result? Solutions in search of problems.

4. You Lose Your Inner Compass

When you chase the trend too hard, you forget your why. Founders who build for fame or funding tend to burn out when the journey gets hard. And it always gets hard.

So, Should Founders Follow Trends or Not?

The real answer: Follow trends mindfully. Be aware of them. Use them. But don’t let them hijack your strategy.

Here’s a framework to guide your decision:

The 5-Part “Smart Trend Following” Framework

1. Trends + Truth

Match the trend with a deep user truth. Are you solving a real, persistent problem within the trend? If yes, you’re not just trend-surfing you’re building resilience.

2. Right Time to Ride

Timing matters more than you think. Ask:

• Is the trend too early? (You may burn out educating the market)

• Is it peaking? (You risk drowning in noise)

• Or is it emerging steadily? (Perfect sweet spot)

Use tools like Google Trends, Twitter/X, and VC reports to track the momentum and trajectory.

3. Position Differently

Even within a crowded trend, you can win by being unique.

Ask:

• What part of the value chain is underserved?

• What customer persona is ignored?

• What wedge lets you sneak in?

Example: While dozens were building AI chatbots, Jasper scaled by targeting marketers with an angle: AI copywriting.

4. Pick a Trend That Aligns With You

You don’t have to follow every trend. But if a trend aligns with your experience, interest, or edge it’s worth pursuing.

Trends that match your founder-market fit amplify your energy, not drain it.

5. Build Like the Trend Will Die

Here’s a mental hack: Build your company as if the trend you’re in will collapse in 12 months.

Would your product still be needed?
Would your customers still care?
Would your team still show up?

This ensures you’re solving a timeless problem with a timely solution.

How the Best Founders Navigate Trends

• Sam Altman spotted the AI wave early but focused on infrastructure (OpenAI) not apps.

• Daniel Ek launched Spotify during the digital music revolution but built a unique value loop between users and artists.

• Tobi Lütke built Shopify long before e-commerce boomed, but doubled down on enabling the trend rather than competing directly.

These founders didn’t blindly follow trends.
They used them as tailwinds, while steering their own ships.

What If You Want to Ignore Trends?

You can. Some of the best startups are anti-trend. They bet on slow, steady markets no one else cares about.

Examples?

Sometimes, the best trend to follow… is the one everyone else overlooked.

To Sum up

Following trends isn’t bad. But worshipping them is.

Smart founders observe trends like scientists, not fanboys. They extract insight, find timing edges, and build despite the noise not because of it.

So ask yourself:

• Am I building with the trend or being built by the trend?

• Will my startup survive when the spotlight moves elsewhere?

• Am I chasing heat or creating real, user-loved value?

Because in the end, whether you follow the trend or not, the only trend that matters is this: founders who build with obsession, insight, and care win.