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Strategic Allies: 5 Key Insights from 2024


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As 2025 is already underway it’s an appropriate time to look back over the last year to recognise the changes we’ve seen in our business and endeavour to understand the underlying causes.

 

Industry Sectors on the rise in 2024

Innovation continues to reshape industries worldwide, and 2024 is no exception. As organisations strive to remain competitive and address global challenges, several sectors have emerged as particularly active in deploying groundbreaking innovations. Strategic Allies Ltd (SAL) work across all sectors and therefore are in an excellent position to be able to assess which have been most active throughout the last year. Among these, Chemicals, Agritech, FMCG, Healthcare, Pharma etc., have all been as demanding as ever but noticeably, we have seen a significant increase in activity from the Food & Beverage (F&B) sector; and within that area, the Beverages sector particularly has been driving ahead. This appears to be centred on sustainability, health-conscious choices, and technological advancements. Brands are embracing eco-friendly practices, such as upcycled ingredients and biodegradable packaging, to appeal to environmentally aware consumers. Plant-based and alternative proteins continue to gain traction, driven by the demand for healthier and ethical options. Functional foods, infused with probiotics, vitamins etc, are reshaping how consumers approach nutrition. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are enhancing supply chain efficiency and personalised dining experiences. Transparency in sourcing, traceability, and the use of cutting-edge fermentation techniques are appearing as key drivers of innovation in this evolving market.

 

Top Technologies in 2024

The technological landscape of 2024 was defined by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), sustainable energy solutions, and digital transformation tools, all of which have been areas we have helped our global clients explore. Generative AI, particularly large language models and image synthesis tools, is achieving widespread interest but maybe slower than hoped adoption across industries. These systems are not only potentially capable of enhancing productivity but also starting to enable creative breakthroughs in fields like design, content creation, and personalised marketing.

In parallel, green technologies are accelerating the transition toward sustainability. Innovations in energy storage, such as solid-state batteries, are making renewable energy sources like solar and wind more viable. Carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) technologies are scaling, enabling industries to mitigate their environmental footprints.

Finally, quantum computing, although still in nascent stages, is gaining traction with breakthroughs in quantum error correction and algorithms for complex problem-solving. Combined with blockchain innovations, these technologies are laying the groundwork for secure, transparent, and efficient systems in finance, supply chain, and beyond. In 2024, these dynamic technologies collectively are contributing to the redefinition of the boundaries of innovation and impact.

 

Strategic Allies Services Demand in 2024

In 2024 we experienced exponential growth in demand for our landscaping and foresighting services, across all sectors. From AI in the Agritech sector to enhanced digital drinking in the F&B sector, clients were exploring new technology and market areas for a variety of reasons including but not limited to, the search for differentiation, business expansion and early due diligence. Tech scouting often then follows on from a Landscaping project, so we can offer a continuum of services to our clients. We are delighted that two other services have gained significant recognition over the past 12 months.

Our “Voice of Customer (VoC)” offering allows unbiased intelligence, feedback and/or insights to be gained from a customer base either through premarket launch or to adjust an offering once in play. It obviously builds upon Strategic Allies Ltd (SAL)’s mantra that “people do deals – not computers” i.e., using qualified, intelligent, empathetic interviewers to gain trust and insight whilst never disclosing our client identity.

The other service launched in 2024 was a slimmed-down landscaping service (including cost and time) aimed at delivering quick answers to pertinent questions, particularly of interest to startups, universities and corporates with specific interests.

 

Getting back into the office

Companies have been increasingly focusing on innovative strategies to bring employees back into the office. Many have adopted hybrid work models, offering a balance between remote and in-office work, to ease the transition but also because employees are now used to working from home… and many rather like it! SAL has recognised an interest within its client base towards organising team-building events and workshops to foster collaboration and a sense of community.  To that end, SAL has planned, facilitated and delivered an increasing number of on-site workshops as a complementary element of its existing delivery mechanism.  These have been deployed successfully within IP generation projects as well as integral parts of VoC, tech scouting and landscaping deliverables.

 

2025 Conference Agenda: topics to expect

Innovation conferences saw remarkable growth in 2024, reflecting the global emphasis on technological advancement and collaboration. These events have proliferated across industries, offering platforms for startups, corporations, and researchers to showcase breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy, biotechnology, and beyond. The surge in hybrid formats, combining in-person and virtual participation, has expanded accessibility, fostering diverse global dialogues. SAL has attended numerous global events these last 12 months and will do so again in 2025 as important windows on business sentiment and direction. A couple of notable insights gathered include a significant “push back” from senior players regarding sustainability targets across the chemicals sectors and the continuing divergence of direction, regarding sustainability, between Europe and the USA. Almost definitely to be accelerated with the incoming Trump administration!

 

In conclusion, using a famous songwriter’s phrase…. “Times they are a-changin’”.  Some would say “’twas ever thus” which is of course true but it’s the rate of change and the potential of the technologies driving the change, that presents the challenge we must grab hold of and harness for the good of mankind!

For assistance with your innovation challenges or to discuss other relevant topics, please connect with John Allies on LinkedIn or email him at john@strategicallies.co.uk.