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Revitalizing Consumer Tech: Anticipating a 2026 Resurgence

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 9, 2026

Investment in consumer technology startups has experienced a marked decline since 2022 amid a turbulent macroeconomic environment and persistent inflationary pressures. While venture capital dollars have largely been directed toward enterprise-focused artificial intelligence solutions that promise lucrative contracts and rapid scaling, a prominent investor anticipates that the consumer sector is poised for a robust comeback by 2026.

Investment Shifts Amid Uncertain Times

Vanessa Larco, a partner at Premise and former partner at NEA, emphasized on this week’s episode of the Equity podcast that the coming year could mark a significant turnaround for consumer tech. Despite enterprises having deep pockets and a strong appetite for AI implementations, many large-scale decisions are stalled by the challenge of defining an entry point.

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Consumer-Driven Innovation Offers Rapid Feedback Loops

Larco noted, “The fun thing about consumer and prosumer products is that users already have a clear idea of their needs. They purchase a solution that meets these needs and continue using it without the drawn-out process typically seen in enterprise adoption.” This immediacy in feedback allows startups to quickly assess product-market fit, pivot when necessary, or even abandon an unviable idea in favor of a more promising venture.

AI Redefining the Consumer Experience

Recent innovations underscore AI’s role in seamlessly integrating into everyday consumer activities. Late last year, OpenAI launched new ChatGPT capabilities enabling users to shop via the Target app, explore real estate opportunities with Zillow, plan trips on Expedia, or craft a Spotify playlist, all within the intuitive ChatGPT experience. As Larco puts it, “AI will eventually evolve into concierge-like services—tailored, responsive, and indispensable.” The challenge remains in distinguishing which functionalities should be specialized versus those best served by the platform’s versatility.

Reshaping Social Media In the Age of Deepfakes

Amid concerns about the proliferation of AI-generated content, Larco highlighted the risks posed by deepfakes infiltrating news and social feeds. An incident involving misleading AI-generated images during a significant global event prompted Larco to reflect on a paradigm shift in how audiences consume information. As platforms like Reddit and Digg move toward verifying authenticity, the industry faces a critical juncture in redefining trustworthy information sources.

Voice Versus Screen: New Frontiers in User Experience

The recent acquisition of AI-driven startup Manus by Meta underscores a broader strategic shift aimed at refining consumer hardware and user interaction. Larco, an avid proponent of Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, argues that breakthroughs in voice-activated AI could soon obviate the dependency on screens. “Some experiences are inherently better with audio interaction,” she explains. For routine queries or even answering her children’s curious questions, voice offers immediacy and efficiency that screens simply cannot match.

As the consumer tech landscape evolves, Larco envisions a future characterized by innovative monetization strategies and disruptive business models that redefine everyday digital experiences. With giants like OpenAI setting new paradigms for user engagement, the stage is set for transformative shifts in both product design and market strategy.

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Euro Area Trade Surplus Squeezed In November 2025 As Machinery Exports Slide

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 16, 2026

The euro area recorded a €9.90 billion surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world in November 2025, marking a notable decline from the €15.40 billion surplus in November 2024. Eurostat’s latest data points to a cooling in international trade activity, driven primarily by weaker exports of manufactured goods, despite improvements in the energy sector.

Declining Exports And Imports

In November 2025, the euro area’s exports fell to €240.20 billion, a 3.4 percent drop from €248.70 billion a year earlier. Imports declined by 1.3 percent to €230.30 billion, compared with €233.30 billion in November 2024. This contraction in trade was mainly due to reduced activity in the manufacturing sector, which was only partially offset by gains in energy.

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Sectoral Shifts: Improvement In Energy Performance

Among the notable shifts, the energy sector showed substantial improvement. The energy deficit was narrowed significantly, decreasing from a minus €24.30 billion in November 2024 to minus €17.60 billion in November 2025. This improvement underscores strategic adjustments in energy-related policies and investments aimed at mitigating broader economic challenges.

Year-To-Date Performance And Trends

For the first 11 months of 2025, the euro area achieved a total surplus of €152.70 billion, a decrease from €156.80 billion in the same period of 2024. During this period, exports to the rest of the world increased by 2.3 percent to €2.70 trillion, while imports edged up by 2.6 percent to €2.55 trillion. Intra-euro area trade also grew by 1.6 percent, reaching €2.42 trillion, reflecting steady domestic market activities within the single currency bloc.

European Union Trade Outlook

Across the wider European Union, the trade surplus in November 2025 stood at €8.10 billion, compared with €11.80 billion in November 2024. EU exports fell by 4.4 percent to €213.80 billion, while imports declined by 2.9 percent to €205.70 billion. Although the energy deficit improved, shrinking from €28.20 billion to €20.40 billion, weaker performance in key manufacturing segments, particularly machinery and vehicles, weighed on the overall balance.

Over the first 11 months of 2025, the EU recorded a trade surplus of €122.40 billion, down from €128.00 billion in the same period of 2024. Exports and imports increased by 2 percent and 2.3 percent respectively, while intra-EU trade grew by 2.2 percent to €3.82 trillion. The data points to mixed trends across EU trade rather than a uniform pattern of expansion or contraction.

Seasonally Adjusted Insights

On a seasonally adjusted month-to-month basis, figures for November 2025 show that euro area exports increased by 1.1 percent and imports by 2.5 percent, resulting in a surplus of €10.70 billion. In the European Union, exports rose by 2 percent and imports by 3.5 percent, yielding a seasonally adjusted surplus of €8.80 billion.

During the three months from September to November 2025, trade with non-euro and non-EU partners revealed divergent trends. Manufactured goods continued to face challenges, while energy-related trade showed relative strength.