A recent study commissioned by FOREX.com has revealed intriguing insights into the world of unicorn companies. By analyzing data from CB Insights, the study provides comprehensive information on the countries and industries that are most influential in producing these highly valued startups.
One of the notable revelations from the research is the rise of India as a significant player in the unicorn landscape. With an impressive count of 72 unicorn companies and a combined valuation of $195.75 billion, India secures the third position globally in terms of unicorn presence.
BYJU’s, India’s leading education technology company, takes the 36th position in the rankings with a valuation of $11.50 billion. While the average valuation per unicorn in India is comparatively lower at $2.72 billion, the collective contribution of India’s unicorns to the global unicorn valuation is a substantial 5%. This places India on par with the United Kingdom, highlighting its significance in the international startup arena.
China takes the second spot in terms of unicorn count, boasting an impressive combined valuation of $641.67 billion. Leading the pack is ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, with a valuation of over $225 billion.
However, the United States remains the undisputed leader in the unicorn space with a staggering 668 unicorn companies. The unicorn companies in the US have a combined valuation of over $2 trillion, constituting 54% of the total global unicorn valuation.
The research also delves into the industries that are driving the growth of unicorn companies globally. The enterprise tech industry takes the lead, with 377 companies and a total valuation of just over $1 trillion. Canva, a design platform, emerges as the highest-valued company in this sector and the fifth highest globally with a valuation of $40 billion. Projections suggest that enterprise tech will continue to thrive and surpass growth and valuation expectations by 2027.
In the financial services sector, 216 unicorn companies make a significant contribution to the unicorn landscape with a combined valuation of $706 billion. Stripe, a fintech company, leads the pack with a valuation of $50 billion, securing the fourth position globally. Remarkably, despite having the same number of unicorn companies, the financial services industry outpaces the consumer and retail sector in total valuation by 10%.
The consumer and retail industry, ranking third with 216 unicorn companies, boasts a collective valuation exceeding $631 billion. SHEIN, an e-commerce platform, stands out as the highest-valued unicorn in this industry, securing the third position globally with a valuation of $66 billion. Intriguingly, SHEIN’s valuation surpasses the combined valuation of all 27 unicorn companies in the insurance industry, which stands at $57.83 billion.
These findings shed light on the dynamic landscape of unicorn companies globally, highlighting the diverse contributions of nations and industries to the ever-evolving startup ecosystem.
FAQs about Unicorn Companies and the Global Landscape
1. What is a unicorn company?
A unicorn company is a privately held startup with a valuation of over $1 billion.
2. How was this study conducted?
The study commissioned by FOREX.com analyzed data from CB Insights to gain insights into the global unicorn landscape.
3. Which country has the most unicorn companies?
The United States has the highest number of unicorn companies, with a total of 668.
4. Which industry produces the most unicorn companies?
The enterprise tech industry is the most prolific in producing unicorn companies, with a count of 377.
5. What is the valuation of the highest-valued unicorn company globally?
Currently, the highest-valued unicorn company is ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, with a valuation of over $225 billion.