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Some works of art are great because they’ve managed to capture a moment in time and preserve it perfectly. Whether it’s a weighty novel, an epic film, a delicate poem or a daub of paint on some canvas, the ability to hold up a mirror to society and shows both its positive character traits and its fatal flaws is the mark of a great work of art. 

The same can be true for businesses. A successful business looks at the outlay of society, pinpoints its problems, and finds solutions to those problems. 

While a great company might not last the ages in the same way that a great work of art does, it makes dramatic changes to people’s lives in the here and now. 

The startups below have attempted exactly that – examining modern trends and finding solutions to them. Take a look – they may just inspire you. 

1. Portman Clear Braces

Dentistry has been undergoing a quiet revolution for the past two decades and barely anyone’s noticed, even though jokes about the horrors of British dentistry have been thrown by the wayside. 

Gone are the ugly railroad track braces we had as children. Replacing them are braces that are almost invisible and, perhaps surprisingly, comfortable to wear. 

Bringing these dental advancements together under one umbrella is Portman Clear Braces, a company that offers teeth straightening solutions from award-winning brands. 

Whether you’re a parent looking for braces for their child, or an adult who simply never had their crooked teeth fixed, Portman Clear Braces has become the number one stop for anyone needing fuss-free teeth aligners. 

2. Oatly

Veganism’s the in-thing, but it’s become much more than a trend over the past decade. As an increasing number of people embrace the plant-based movement, so too have ethical concerns for animal welfare in the meat industry come to the fore. 

Oatly have managed to surf the rising wave of veganism by turning their plant-based milk brand into a must-purchase for anyone looking to avoid dairy. Their profits have grown to an astronomical degree, in part because they’ve been able to prove that their formula is more ecologically sound than standard milk from a cow. 

The proof’s in the oat milk – ethics do matter in business. 

3. Twitch

For years, the video-streaming platform Twitch was the sole preserve of gamers everywhere, giving streamers the chance to share what games they were playing to an avid fan base. 

Then lockdown hit and live acts were forced to find alternative means of making money. Soon comedians and podcasters had turned into Twitch streamers, earning small amounts of cash for doing live shows online.

Major acts like Fern Brady, Limmy and Richard Herring have transformed into prolific streamers, alongside a host of other comedians. Although there’s no way to really replicate the unrestrained atmosphere of a live gig online, Twitch has proven that you only need a small amount of that magic to create content that’s engaging, fun and entertaining. 

That’s our list! What startups have inspired your business? Let us know in the comments below.