In the face of economic crises, climate anxieties, and global wars, people are seeking solace through connection. They want to be sure someone will hold their hand in the face of hardship. As a result, they have higher expectations of care and understanding from interactions with brands, social systems, and p...

In a polarised society, the meaning of gender is in flux. People want to be liberated from outdated norms – but many hold on to the gender binary as a source of stability in an uncertain world. How can brands navigate the changing gender landscape without leaning on stereotypes?

Once a signifier of luxury or novelty, custom products and services are now within reach of the everyday consumer, thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence, algorithm-led platforms, and the COVID-era digitisation boom. Today, everyone wants to be the main character of their brand experience.

From decentralised autonomous organisations (DAOs) run on Discord to city-wide mutual aid groups, people are finding safety and optimism in numbers. For growing numbers of people, collective action is emerging as the only viable solution to compounding crises and deepening alienation.

Picking up steam in the early 2010s, the period positivity movement saw women fight to destigmatize menstruation. But with period inequity still rampant in the US and trust damaged in some progressive menstrual start-ups, where should the movement go next? And how can femtech brands learn from this?

Menstrual health start-up Blood creates eco-conscious period products made of corn, designed for Southeast Asia's humidity and tackling taboos around menstruation. As people look for products tailored to their specific needs and values, brands like Blood stand out for their intentional designs.

Femtech startup Daye is upping their period pain care with The Period Pain Clinic, which offers personalised and holistic solutions for people with uteruses. Since many people experience delayed diagnoses and medical gaslighting, they are turning to alternative sources for help and care.

Emm, the world’s first smart menstrual cup, closely tracks flow volume, rate, and regularity to help users better understand their cycles, bodies, and reproductive health. How are people embracing a knowledge-is-power approach to their periods? And how can such tech close the gender health gap?