Unicorn is a symbolic word that has a meaning related to something unbelievable. It translates to a legendary creature that is rare and special. And that’s what Aileen Lee thought in 2013 when she associated this term with startups. In Venture Capital, ‘A unicorn refers to a privately held startup company with a valuation exceeding $1 billion’. Today, these unicorn companies are celebrated for their rapid growth and ability to transform industries.

As of 2024, there are more than 1200 microns around the globe, with a total value reaching an astounding number of #3.9 trillion. Through this blog, we will take a closer look at some of the top unicorn companies in 2024 and explore what they do and what makes them successful.

1. ByteDance

Valuation: $225 Billion

Origin: China

Industry: Media & Entertainment

Established in April 2017, ByteDance is a Chinese organization best known for TikTok, a popular social media platform where people share short videos. The platform revolutionized the way people see videos online, taking the company to the number one spot on the world’s list with a value of $225 billion. It can also be considered the best unicorn company ever created.

2. SpaceX

Valuation: $150

Origin: United States

Industry: Aerospace

The brainchild of the famous businessman and investor Elon Musk, SpaceX designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft in pursuit of easier space travel and future development. With its headquarters in Hawthorne, California, the rocket-launching company is valued at $150 billion and has been a game-changer in the aerospace industry.

3. Open AI

Valuation: $80 Billion

Origin: United States

Industry: Artificial Intelligence

Coming in on the third, Open AI opened its doors in July 2019 with a core focus on advancing artificial intelligence. Introducing world-changing tools such as ChatGPT and DALL-E, Open AI has become one of the best unicron companies with a valuation of $80 billion. The company is committed to developing AI responsibly and collaborates with other tech companies to ensure its safe use.

4. SHEIN

Valuation: $66 Billion

Origin: Singapore

Industry: E-commerce

SHEIN is a fast-fashion success phenomenon that started its operations in July 2018. Taking advantage of digital data, the fashion company leapt ahead of its competitors in understanding customer styles, allowing them to stay ahead of fashion trends. Becoming popular for its trendy clothes at an inexpensive price, the fast-fashion retailer soon reached the zenith of success with a valuation sitting at $66 billion.

5. Stripe

Valuation: $70 Billion

Origin: United States

Industry: Financial Services

As an online payment processing company founded in January 2014, Stripe is at the centre of this list with a healthy valuation of $70 billion. Serving the finance industry, the company aims to help businesses conduct payments easily through its website and mobile application. Its core focus on user-friendly tools and ease of functionality has rendered it the top choice amongst online businesses.

6. Databricks

Valuation: $43 billion

Origin: United States

Industry: Big Data

Fueling on the philosophy, ‘Data is the new oil,’ Databricks specializes in big data and analytics along with machine learning that helps all sorts of businesses to understand and make better use of their data. Founded in 2019 and valued at $43 billion, the company is known as the first truly unified and collaborative platform for data engineers, data dentists, data analysts, and business analysts. The company’s collaborative abilities have made it stand out in the industry.

7. Revolut

Valuation: $33 billion

Origin: United Kingdom

Industry: Financial Services

As a digital-first platform in the banking sector, Revolut has changed how people think about banking. Opening its doors in April 2018 and valued at $33 billion, Revolut offers various financial services without the usual fees found at traditional banks. Its app allows users to manage their money easily while providing competitive exchange rates.

8. Fanatics

Valuation: $31 billion

Origin: United States

Industry: Consumer & retail

Fanatics was founded in June 2012 and has revolutionized the way sports fans purchase merchandise. With a valuation of $31 billion, Fanatics collaborates with major sports leagues such as the NFL and NBA to sell official gear online. Its innovative approach has positioned it as a leader in sports retail.

9. Canva

Valuation: $26 billion

Origin: Australia

Industry: Design Software

Canva is a user-friendly online design platform that lets individuals and businesses create stunning graphics without the need for specialized skills or software expertise. Since its launch in January 2018, Canva has rapidly gained popularity and is currently valued at an impressive $26 billion. The platform provides a wide range of customizable templates and intuitive tools, making the design process accessible and enjoyable for users of all levels of experience.

10. Chime

Valuation: $25 billion

Origin: United States

Industry: Financial Services

Chime is reshaping banking with its no-fee model and user-friendly app, which launched in March 2019. Valued at $25 billion, Chime focuses on providing simple financial services that prioritize customer needs over traditional banking practices.

Conclusion

The top unicorn companies of 2024 show us what it takes to succeed in today’s fast-paced business world. It sheds light on finding and solving the top customer & business challenges in a unique way that places them at the top of their industries. Their impressive valuations reflect not just their current success but also their future growth as they move through a competitive landscape.