Unicorn
Definition
A unicorn is a private startup valued at $1 billion or more, a term coined in 2013 when such companies were rare.
How it comes up in fundraising
Unicorn status is a valuation label, not a business-quality certificate; paper valuations and durable value diverge regularly.
Frequently asked questions
Why do investors need unicorn-scale outcomes?
Power-law math: most portfolio companies return little, so funds require winners big enough to return the whole fund.
What is a decacorn?
A private company valued at $10 billion or more.
Put this term to work
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