One Chart Opportunity Framework

A "One Chart Business" is when a single compelling trend chart reveals a massive market shift, creating business opportunities. Here's how to identify and capitalize on these opportunities.

What Makes a One Chart Business

• Single chart shows dramatic market shift over time
• Chart alone can serve as entire business plan
• Reveals clear opportunity for new business models
• Shows fundamental change in consumer behavior or market dynamics

Key Examples

Cremation Industry

• Cremation rates increased from 3% (1960s) to over 50% (2020)
• Created opportunities for:
  • Direct-to-consumer cremation services
  • B2B cremation logistics
  • SEO and digital marketing in death care
  • Pre-planning services

Other Notable One Chart Examples

• Mobile Gaming Growth (Vungle case study)
  • Founder saw mobile gaming adoption chart
  • Built mobile ad network worth $750M
• Internet Growth (Amazon case study)
  • Bezos saw 2,300% internet growth rate
  • Led to leaving job to start internet business

Modern One Chart Opportunities (per Steph Smith)

• Genome mapping costs dropped 100,000% in 15 years
• College tuition outpacing earnings by 10x
• Cyber insurance loss ratios increasing despite higher rates
• Men under 30 not having sex tripled in last decade
• Sleep reduction from 8 to 6.8 hours on average
• Car electronics cost increasing from 5% to 50% of total cost

How to Act on One Chart Opportunities

• Look for dramatic shifts in adoption or behavior
• Identify second-order consequences of the trend
• Find underserved aspects of growing market
• Build businesses that capitalize on the fundamental shift
• Focus on markets where trend indicates sustained growth