When is a startup referred to as a unicorn? 5 things to know

1. In the venture capital industry, the term unicorn refers to any startup that reaches the valuation of $1 billion.

2. Only a privately held startup can be a unicorn.

3. The term initially was used to lay emphasis on the rarity of such startups.


4. Disruptive Innovation, high on technology, new ideas, consumer focus are some of the common features of unicorns.

5. In India 14 startups have already made it to the unicorn list in the first six months of 2021.

(Content on this page is courtesy Centre for Investment Education and Learning (CIEL). Contributions by Girija Gadre, Arti Bhargava and Labdhi Mehta.)