7 Future Business Models That Will Dominate by 2035
Meta Description: Discover the revolutionary business models that will shape the next decade of commerce, from AI-as-a-Service to circular economy platforms and beyond.
Introduction
The business landscape of 2035 will be unrecognizable from today’s corporate structures. We are witnessing the final stages of traditional business model evolution before a complete paradigm shift driven by artificial intelligence, sustainability imperatives, and changing consumer expectations. The organizations that thrive in this new era won’t just adapt existing models—they will pioneer entirely new ways of creating and capturing value. As a futurist, I’ve identified seven emerging business models that will dominate the next decade, each representing a fundamental rethinking of how businesses operate, compete, and serve their stakeholders. Understanding these models today is essential for building Future Readiness and positioning your organization for long-term success.
1. AI-as-a-Service Ecosystems
By 2035, artificial intelligence won’t be a competitive advantage—it will be table stakes. The most successful companies will build comprehensive AI-as-a-Service ecosystems that provide specialized intelligence to entire industries. These won’t be generic AI platforms but deeply verticalized solutions that understand specific business contexts, regulatory environments, and operational challenges.
How it works: Companies will offer AI capabilities as subscription services, with pricing based on outcomes delivered rather than compute resources consumed. A manufacturing AI service might charge per unit of waste reduction, while a retail AI might earn commissions on sales increases it generates.
Future Readiness Insight: Organizations should begin developing proprietary datasets and domain expertise that can form the foundation of future AI services. The key differentiator won’t be the AI algorithms themselves but the unique data and industry knowledge that powers them.
2. Circular Economy Platforms
The linear “take-make-waste” model will be replaced by circular systems that maximize resource utilization and eliminate waste. By 2035, the most valuable companies will be those that create platforms for tracking, managing, and optimizing the flow of materials through entire economic ecosystems.
How it works: These platforms will use blockchain and IoT sensors to track products throughout their lifecycle, enabling automated resale, refurbishment, and recycling. Companies will generate revenue through transaction fees, material recovery services, and data analytics on resource flows.
Future Readiness Insight: Start mapping your organization’s material flows and identifying opportunities to create closed-loop systems. The first movers in circular economy platforms will capture immense network effects that create sustainable competitive advantages.
3. Outcome-Based Subscription Models
The subscription economy will evolve from access-based to outcome-based models. Instead of paying for products or services, customers will subscribe to guaranteed outcomes. This represents a fundamental shift from selling what you make to delivering what customers need.
How it works: A transportation company might charge per successful journey completed rather than per vehicle sold. A healthcare provider might charge based on health outcomes achieved rather than services rendered. These models align company incentives perfectly with customer success.
Future Readiness Insight: Begin experimenting with outcome-based pricing for pilot projects. The transition requires sophisticated measurement systems and risk management capabilities, but the customer loyalty and recurring revenue potential are enormous.
4. Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs)
Traditional corporate hierarchies will be replaced by fluid, decentralized networks coordinated through blockchain and smart contracts. DAOs will enable global collaboration at scale while maintaining transparency and alignment through token-based governance.
How it works: Organizations will operate as collections of smart contracts that automatically execute based on predefined conditions. Decision-making will be distributed among token holders, with voting power proportional to their stake or contribution to the network.
Future Readiness Insight: Explore how decentralized governance could improve decision-making in your organization. Even traditional companies can benefit from DAO-inspired transparency and stakeholder alignment mechanisms.
5. Personal Data Marketplaces
As data becomes increasingly valuable, individuals will reclaim control over their personal information through decentralized data marketplaces. These platforms will enable people to monetize their data while maintaining privacy and consent.
How it works: Users will store their data in personal data vaults and grant temporary, revocable access to companies that need it for specific purposes. Compensation will be automated through smart contracts based on data usage and value generated.
Future Readiness Insight: Begin developing privacy-first data strategies that respect user control. Companies that build trust around data handling will have privileged access to the highest-quality data in the future.
6. Experience-as-a-Service (XaaS)
The service economy will evolve beyond software and infrastructure to encompass complete experiential offerings. Companies will compete on their ability to deliver transformative experiences rather than discrete products or services.
How it works: Instead of selling fitness equipment, companies will offer personalized wellness journeys. Instead of automotive sales, companies will provide mobility experiences tailored to individual lifestyles and preferences.
Future Readiness Insight: Map your customer’s complete journey and identify opportunities to deliver integrated experiences rather than isolated transactions. The most successful companies will own the customer experience from end to end.
7. Regenerative Business Networks
Sustainability will evolve from risk mitigation to value creation through regenerative business models that actively improve environmental and social systems. These networks will measure success not just in financial terms but in ecological and community benefits generated.
How it works: Companies will form ecosystems where waste from one process becomes input for another, creating positive environmental impacts while generating economic value. Success will be measured through multi-capital accounting that tracks financial, natural, and social capital.
Future Readiness Insight: Begin quantifying your organization’s environmental and social impacts. Companies that can demonstrate positive regeneration will attract the best talent, customers, and investment in the coming decade.
Conclusion
The business models of 2035 represent a fundamental rethinking of value creation in an interconnected, AI-driven, and sustainability-focused world. Success will require more than incremental innovation—it demands a complete reimagining of how businesses operate and compete.
The common thread across all these emerging models is the shift from transactional relationships to ecosystem partnerships, from ownership to access, and from financial metrics to multi-dimensional value measurement. Organizations that embrace these shifts early will build the resilience and adaptability needed to thrive in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing business environment.
Building Future Readiness means starting the transition now—experimenting with new models, developing the necessary capabilities, and cultivating the mindset shifts required for success in the next decade. The future belongs not to the biggest companies but to the most adaptable ones.
About Ian Khan
Ian Khan is a globally recognized futurist, bestselling author, and creator of the acclaimed Amazon Prime series “The Futurist.” His groundbreaking work on Future Readiness has earned him a coveted spot on the Thinkers50 Radar list, identifying him as one of the management thinkers most likely to shape the future of business.
With deep expertise in emerging technologies, business model innovation, and organizational transformation, Ian helps leaders navigate the complex landscape of technological disruption. His Future Readiness frameworks provide practical methodologies for anticipating change and building resilient, forward-thinking organizations.
If your organization is preparing for the business models of tomorrow, Ian Khan offers transformative keynote presentations, Future Readiness workshops, and strategic consulting sessions that provide clarity and direction. Contact us today to discuss how Ian can help your team build a proactive strategy for the coming decade. Available for virtual and in-person sessions worldwide.
