If you're a startup founder or entrepreneur, your ultimate goal is probably to build the next unicorn company — valued at over $1 billion. These businesses are worth an astonishing amount of money and have made their founders millionaires — if not billionaires! So what companies are leading the pack? We've rounded up 15 of the most valuable unicorn companies in the world today, so read on for valuable insights into some of today's most ambitious brands.
1. ByteDance
ByteDance has quickly become one of the most valuable unicorn companies in the world thanks to its array of cutting-edge content platforms. Whether you're looking for informative news articles, educational videos, entertaining memes, or inspiring moments, ByteDance has got you covered. With a focus on empowering its users to become creators in their own right, ByteDance has changed the way we interact with and consume content online. But what sets ByteDance apart is its commitment to promoting a positive and safe digital experience for everyone. It's no wonder this innovative company continues to lead the way in the tech industry.
Valuation ($B): $225
Country: China
Industry: Media & Entertainment
Founder: Yiming Zhang
Investors: Sequoia Capital China, SIG Asia Investments, Sina Weibo, SoftBank Group
2. SpaceX
In the highly competitive world of space exploration, SpaceX has become a valuable unicorn company with its advanced technology and innovative approach. Founded by Elon Musk, SpaceX has been making waves by designing, manufacturing, and launching advanced rockets and spacecraft. From developing crew and cargo capsules, engines, and cryogenic tank structures to designing avionics, equipment, guidance, and control software, SpaceX has proven to be a formidable force in the industry. With its cutting-edge technology and groundbreaking achievements, SpaceX is paving the way for the future of space travel and exploration.
Valuation ($B): $137
Country: United States
Industry: Industrials
Founder: Elon Musk
Investors: Founders Fund, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Rothenberg Ventures
3. SHEIN
In the world of online retail, SHEIN is quickly becoming a household name. The company's focus on women's apparel has made it a go-to stop for fashion-forward consumers, but what truly sets SHEIN apart is its innovative approach to manufacturing and supply chain management. By utilizing cutting-edge on-demand manufacturing technologies, they have been able to create an agile supply chain that eliminates wasteful inventory practices.
Valuation ($B): $100
Country: China
Industry: Consumer & Retail
Founder: Yangtian Xu
Investors: Tiger Global Management, Sequoia Capital China, Shunwei Capital Partners
4. Stripe
As one of the most valuable unicorn companies, Stripe has become a major player in the world of online commerce. Its innovative technology has created an economic infrastructure for businesses worldwide, making it possible for companies of all sizes to accept online payments and manage complex global operations with ease. Stripe has also diversified its set of applications to cater to new business models like crowdfunding and marketplaces, fraud prevention, analytics, and more. It's easy to see why so many businesses, including Salesforce and Facebook, continue to trust Stripe as their go-to for online transactions. With Stripe, the possibilities for global commerce are endless.
Valuation ($B): $50
Country: United States
Industry: Financial Services
Founders: John Collison, Patrick Collison
Investors: Khosla Ventures, LowercaseCapital, capitalG
5. Canva
Canva is a creative platform that has revolutionized the world of graphic design. With its simple user interface, anyone can now design presentations, social media graphics, and more. The beauty of Canva lies in its vast library that includes images, photo filters, icons, and shapes, allowing users to achieve a professional-level design effortlessly. Whether you're a professional designer or just getting started, Canva is an essential tool that will elevate your visual storytelling.
Valuation ($B): $40
Country: Australia
Industry: Enterprise Tech
Founders: Cameron Adams, Cliff Obrecht, Melanie Perkins
Investors: Sequoia Capital China, Blackbird Ventures, Matrix Partners
6. Revolut
Revolut has revolutionized the way we handle money by providing an all-in-one financial services platform. With its user-friendly mobile banking app, pre-paid debit card, and seamless money transfer capabilities, Revolut makes banking a breeze. But they're not just about convenience. Their mission to create a fair and frictionless platform that can be used globally has made them stand out in the fintech industry. It's no wonder Revolut has gained so much traction in recent years, changing the way we think about banking and making managing our money effortless.
Valuation ($B): $33
Country: United Kingdom
Industry: Financial Services
Founders: Nikolay Storonsky, Vlad Yatsenko
Investors: Index Ventures, DST Global, Ribbit Capital
7. Epic Games
When it comes to revolutionary video game companies, Epic Games is one that has certainly made its mark in the industry. This American software company has become known for its top-notch game development, as well as its game engine technology that empowers other developers to create their own high-quality games and 3D content. What sets Epic Games apart is its ability to provide interactive experiences across a wide range of devices, including PC, console, mobile, and virtual reality platforms. With such a dynamic approach to gaming, it's no wonder that Epic Games has been hailed as a valuable Unicorn company in the tech world.
Valuation ($B): $31.50
Country: United States
Industry: Media & Entertainment
Founders: Mark Rein, Tim Sweeney
Investors: Tencent Holdings, KKR, Smash Ventures
8. Databricks
Databricks, a software platform that unifies analytics across businesses, has gained a reputation as a valuable Unicorn Company. The company offers a Unified Analytics Platform that provides data science teams with the ability to collaborate with data engineering and lines of business to build data products. This allows for seamless communication and integration between teams, making data analysis a more effective and efficient process. Ultimately, Databricks' innovative approach to analytics has helped establish the company as a leader in the industry, propelling it to unicorn status.
Valuation ($B): $31
Country: United States
Industry: Enterprise Tech
Founders: Ali Ghodsi, Andy Konwinski, Arsalan Tavakoli-Shiraji, Ion Stoica, Matei Zaharia, Patrick Wendell, Reynold Xin
Investors: Andreessen Horowitz, New Enterprise Associates, Battery Ventures
9. Fanatics
Fanatics is a valuable unicorn company that has taken the world of fan gear by storm. With a focus on designing, manufacturing, and distributing high-quality fan gear and jerseys, Fanatics understands the real-time expectations of leagues, teams, fans, and retailers in today's fast-paced, mobile-first culture. Whether you're a die-hard sports fan on the go or a retailer looking to stock the latest and greatest gear, Fanatics has you covered. With innovative solutions and cutting-edge technology, Fanatics is changing the game when it comes to fan gear and merchandise and is a force to be reckoned with in the industry.
Valuation ($B): $31
Country: United States
Industry: Consumer & Retail
Founders: Alan Trager, Jason Watkins, Michael G. Rubin, Mitch Trager
Investors: SoftBank Group, Andreessen Horowitz, Temasek Holdings
10. OpenAI
OpenAI is a unicorn company that is at the forefront of artificial intelligence research. The company focuses on conducting research and implementing machine learning in a way that is both safe and beneficial. From day one, OpenAI has been dedicated to advancing the world of AI and ensuring that it is used responsibly. With cutting-edge technology and a team of experts behind them, OpenAI is revolutionizing the way we approach AI research and deployment. As a company, OpenAI's goal is to create a positive impact on the world through the use of safe and beneficial artificial intelligence.
Valuation ($B): $29
Country: United States
Industry: Enterprise Tech
Founders: Carlos Virella, Elon Musk, Greg Brockman, Ilya Sutskever, John Schulman, Sam Altman, Wojciech Zaremba
Investors: Khosla Ventures
11. Chime
Chime is revolutionizing the banking industry by providing users with a more convenient and cost-effective way to manage their finances. As one of the most valuable unicorn companies out there, Chime enables users to automatically set aside money in savings after transactions, and avoid those pesky fees that can add up quickly. The company operates on a unique revenue model that benefits both the user and the merchant, creating a win-win situation for all parties involved. With Chime, financial wellness is within reach.
Valuation ($B): $25
Country: United States
Industry: Financial Services
Founders: Chris Britt, Ryan King
Investors: Forerunner Ventures, Crosslink Capital, Homebrew
12. Xiaohongshu
Xiaohongshu, a valuable unicorn company, has been steadily gaining popularity as a lifestyle-sharing platform where users can share positivity and good life experiences through text, pictures, and videos. While initially known for its overseas shopping tip app, Xiaohongshu has evolved to become a community for fashion and shopping enthusiasts. Even if you don't have any overseas traveling plans, the platform can still offer valuable tips and insights into these fields, making it a great resource for anyone interested in fashion and shopping. It's clear that Xiaohongshu's user-generated content has helped to create an engaging community that continues to grow.
Valuation ($B): $20
Country: China
Industry: Media & Entertainment
Founders: Charlwin Mao Wenchao, Miranda Qu
Investors: GGV Capital, ZhenFund, Tencent
13. J&T Express
J&T Express has become one of the most valuable unicorn companies in Southeast Asia thanks to its commitment to boosting the e-commerce industry. This freight service e-commerce company has revolutionized the way logistics and package delivery are handled, providing businesses with a reliable and cost-effective solution for their needs. With its state-of-the-art technology and network of delivery services, J&T Express has transformed the way people shop and receive their goods. The company's continued growth has cemented its status as a major player in the industry, further establishing its reputation as a valuable unicorn company that is driving progress and innovation in Southeast Asia and beyond.
Valuation ($B): $20
Country: Indonesia
Industry: Industrials
Founders: Jet Lee, Tony Chen
Investors: Hillhouse Capital Management, Boyu Capital, Sequoia Capital China
14. Miro
Miro is a company that is making waves in the world of visual collaboration platforms. With an emphasis on unlocking creativity and accelerating innovation, this innovative platform is gaining increasing recognition as a valuable unicorn company. By providing teams with an infinite canvas, Miro is revolutionizing the way people conduct workshops and meetings, design products, brainstorm ideas, and more. If you're looking for a tool to help you unlock your creative potential and drive innovation, Miro is definitely worth checking out.
Valuation ($B): $17.50
Country: United States
Industry: Enterprise Tech
Founder: Andrey Khusid
Investors: Accel, AltaIR Capital, Technology Crossover Ventures
15. Yuanfudao
Yuanfudao, a mighty unicorn company based in Beijing, has been revolutionizing the way students learn. With their innovative online platform, Yuanfudao offers live courses and tutoring to students of all ages. No more commuting to a separate location for classes or searching for the perfect tutor. Yuanfudao has made education accessible to everyone with just a simple click of a button. Their commitment to providing quality education has made them a valuable asset in the world of online learning. It's great to see companies like Yuanfudao making a positive impact on the future of education.
Valuation ($B): $15.50
Country: China
Industry: Consumer & Retail
Founder: Ke Shuai, Xin Li, Yong Li
Investors: Tencent Holdings, Warbug Pincus, IDG Capital
FAQ
What is a unicorn company?
A unicorn company is a term used in the business world to describe a startup that has reached a valuation of $1 billion or more. These companies are rare, just like the magical animal they are named after and are seen as major players in their respective industries. The term "unicorn" was coined in 2013 by venture capitalist Aileen Lee, who noted that these types of companies were so few and far between that they were almost like mythical creatures. Despite the challenges of achieving such high valuations, entrepreneurs continue to strive for unicorn status, with many hoping to be the next big success story in the business world.
What is company valuation?
Company valuation refers to the process of determining the worth of a business in the current market. In simple terms, it means finding out how much a company is worth based on its assets, liabilities, and financial performance. A company's valuation is important for potential investors, mergers and acquisitions, and initial public offerings. It can be used to make informed decisions regarding investment opportunities or the sale of a company. A thorough company valuation can highlight strengths and weaknesses, helping businesses to make necessary changes to improve their financial performance and increase their value.
How many unicorn companies are there in the world?
The world currently has over 1,200 unicorn companies.
What industry has the most unicorns?
While unicorn companies are occurring across industries, some sectors are seeing far more success than others. Surprisingly, the software industry is leading the way, with a significant number of companies reaching unicorn status in recent years. Financial services and information technology follow close behind in terms of unicorn formation. However, the real excitement lies in the potential for emerging industries such as artificial intelligence and energy, which have already welcomed six new unicorns each as of April 2023. The sky appears to be the limit for these innovative companies, and investors are eagerly watching to see which industries will produce the next wave of unicorns.
Which is the No 1 Unicorn company in the world?
ByteDance is the world's number one unicorn company with a valuation of $225 billion. The Chinese-based company's flagship product, TikTok, has become the go-to destination for short-form video content, and its popularity shows no signs of slowing down. Behind ByteDance's success is its visionary founder, Yiming Zhang, who has built an empire on a product that can keep users entertained for hours. ByteDance's rise to the top has been meteoric, and it's showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.