The Future of Work: Trends Every Startup Should Watch

The workplace is transforming faster than ever, and startups sit at the forefront of this evolution. To thrive in 2025 and beyond, founders and teams must understand the trends shaping how we work, hire, and grow. Here are the key shifts every startup should watch—and act on—to stay ahead of the future of work.

Flexible Work Models Matter—A Lot

The pandemic permanently changed attitudes toward where and how we work. While some large companies have tried to bring teams back to the office full-time, the data is clear: hybrid and remote work models are here to stay. Employees value meaningful connection and a strong work culture, but not in lieu of flexibility and autonomy. In fact, studies show that tech workers in the US are willing to accept on average a 25% decrease in pay to work partially or fully remotely. According to a Pew Research Center study, almost half of workers who currently work from home at any capacity say they’d likely leave their company if ordered to return to office full-time, and this is particularly true of younger employees. Results of a Resume Builder survey show that only 6% of companies have no plans to require any employee return to office. This bodes well for startups, as offering flexible work modalities provides a competitive edge, and lacking a physical space for all employees to congregate does not necessarily pose a challenge anymore.

Internships through Trylrun are remote, as this prevents distance, access to transportation, and commuting time and expenses from hindering students from partaking in internships. It levels the playing field, and makes adding internships to students’ already busy lives more manageable. Since everything required for these internships are online, interns do not need additional resources beyond what they already have as students to complete their work, easing the lift required. 

In addition to where people work, when people work is also being reconsidered. More and more companies are trying out the 4-day workweek, and not going back to the usual 9 to 5. After all, a 32-hour workweek has generally led to increased productivity, revenue, and employee well-being, as well as decreased sick days and resignations. There are also other schedule variations you can consider—figure out what works best for you and your employees!

Jobs Are Being Reshaped by AI and Automation

Artificial intelligence is no longer a buzzword; it has become embedded into our everyday lives. Startups are leveraging AI and tools such as Zapier to automate routine tasks, streamlining operations and boosting productivity. AI is also becoming increasingly used to assist with strategic thinking, compile and interpret data, and personalize customer experience. Especially with limited resources, consider finding ways to utilize AI that will make running your business easier.

Reskilling and Upskilling: The Lifelong Learning Imperative

According to the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Future of Jobs Report, on average in the next 5 years, ⅖ of workers’ existing skillsets will become transformed or outdated, and ⅗ of the workforce will need additional training. What skillsets people have, as well as their adaptability, problem-solving abilities, and willingness to learn, are going to be more important than the type of degree they have. Employees must continuously learn to keep up with the rapidly changing landscape. In turn, companies should invest in employee growth and offer learning opportunities to attract and retain top talent.

The Gig Economy Grows Up

Project-based employment is becoming more common. To get needed help on specific projects without the long-term commitment and cost of hiring a full-time employee, leverage the gig economy for access to a vast pool of skilled workers. Avoid the common startup mistake of hiring too quickly by turning to freelancers and contract employees, and potentially even interns. 

Bonus: With Trylrun, you can bring on MBA interns without the work of sourcing, onboarding, or coming up with weekly deliverables. Learn more here.

How Startups Can Stay Ahead of Future of Work

The world is rapidly changing, and workforce norms are no exception. Luckily, many of these trends benefit startups, which can experiment and pivot more quickly than larger, more established companies. By offering flexible work arrangements, embracing technology, focusing on needed skillsets and continuous learning, and sourcing talent from various pools, companies can not only survive, but lead the way in building the workplaces of tomorrow.