Let’s Talk About Sex(tech) (Part 1) | Trends by The Hustle

Written by Shân Osborn | Apr 5, 2021 6:06:11 PM

Sexual wellness is an underfunded industry that is set to explode as sexual taboos continue to lift.

Sextech — which has evolved from a male-centric vice industry to a female-centric wellness business — is here to enhance everything from pleasure to medicine. 

Key Takeaways

  • Consumer demand is surging: There were 36m+ connected sextech devices in use globally last year, representing 87% YoY growth.
  • The market for connected devices alone is expected to more than double over the next 5 years to reach $9B.
  • Sextech goes far beyond toys. It’s set to disrupt all areas of the sexual wellness space, from health to education.
  • The wider industry of sexual wellness, which is now worth $62B, is forecast to exceed $125B by 2026.
  • The stigma surrounding sex means that investors are still jittery about the space — but sex is a universal human experience, and one of the biggest markets there is.
  • The sex-positive movement is driving change and lifting taboos; industry veterans believe we are on the cusp of a surge in funding.
  • No clear market leader is producing flawless connected devices, leaving the high-tech industry wide open — both for sextech innovators and entrepreneurs with tech expertise.
  • We spoke with a Trendster who is leveraging opportunities in the sexual hygiene and personal care space.
  • The US sextech market is still largely offline, leading to attractive ecommerce opportunities.
  • Prioritizing security and the digital privacy of users will be key to fulfilling sextech’s potential.

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Introduction

Source: Report Linker

When you first hear the term “sextech,” you probably think of Tinder, VR pornography, or even sex robots. And while you’re not wrong (meet Harmony), that’s also not the full picture.