Unicorn is a term coined for start-ups which reach the valuation of $1 Billion. It was first used by Aileen Lee in 2013.
Categories that exist other than Unicorn which are based on their valuation:
- Decacorn Ventures – V
entures or start-ups with a valuation of $10 Billion or more - Hectocon Ventures- Ventures or start-ups with a valuation of over $100 Billion
The Indian start-up sphere has seen some additions to the Unicorn Gold in the past few months. Plenty of companies try to follow the GBF or Get Big Fast way of growing to make market competition bleed because of lower costs and high Investments.
There are plenty who try to go big fast; there are a few which actually become Unicorn Ventures.
Fastest growing Unicorn Ventures of India:
Lenskart:
Lenskart is an eyewear virtual retailer with offline presence as well. The eyewear brand has recently been in talks with Softbank and it seems likely that Softbank will invest into this growing start-up.
The sofbank investment will jump Lenskart’s valuation from $470 Million to a stupendous $1.3 Billion.
Lenskart is likely to secure $350 Million. This investment will consequently propel the retailer into the $1 Billion coveted club.
Big Basket
The famous online grocery shopping start-up which has been propelled by good marketing and extensive investment recently joined Unicron club.
Big basket gained an investment of $150 Million from Mirae Assets Global Investments. This has added to their valuation, totalling at $1.2 Billion.
Druva
Druva is the latest firm to enter the group. The Pune based start-up reached the $1 Billion mile-stone with its 500% year-over-year growth for its last 10 quarters. This has led to Druva being firm which has been granted Authority to Operate by the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (
Druva makes India proud and is well desrving of being in the Unicorn club.
Dream 11
Dream 11 is the only gaming start-up which is a Unicorn venture. The start-up is a fantasy-sports app which has garnered close to $100 Million in investments.
They have gained a huge fan following with 4 Million users in 2018, up from 2 Million in 2017, leading them into becoming a member of the club of amazing business ventures.
Dream 11 is used by fans of every sport. The on-going CWC has brought more traffic to the app, taking the Mumbai based start-up to new heights.
PolicyBazar
Policy Bazar has raised a total of $364 Million in investments, the most recent being a $238 Million investment by Softbank. The start-up began as an aggregator-comparison website for available insurance policy and related products.
The company invested heavily in marketing and promotions which has consequently led their revenues to increase by 218% in Fiscal year 2018.
Policy Bazar joined the star-studded start-up club. In spite of huge losses, the firm increased its revenue through smart investments and brand management.
Oyo
Oyo reached a valuation close to $5 Billion after a $800 Million investment from Softbank. The latest to invest in Oyo is Airbnb, another start-up expanding its horizons, breaking away from the ‘unconventional stays’ rule. It invested close to $200 Million in the start-up.
Swiggy
Numerous food related tech start-ups have come and gone in the high competitive space. Swiggy has thrived through all the obstacles it has faced over the years. Swiggy’s smart team building, offers and marketing has led the start-up to the top of the tech-food order and delivery market.
The last round of investment by Swiggy was the highest the tech food sector in India has seen yet – $1 Billion.
Swiggy has increased pressure on its arch competitor, Zomato.
Byjus
The online learning portal entered the Unicorn club in 2018. The $40 Million investment round brought the start-up at a $3.5 Billion. The investment round was led by South African firm, Nasper Venture.
Byjus has been well marketed and has had SRK for their ambassador, how could they not be in this club?
Freshworks
A software making company who entered the billion $$ club in 2018 after a $100 Million Investment by Accel and Sequoia. The total capital raised by the start-up comes to $250 Million. The firm selling software as a service is challenging its competition.
The Chennai based firm has over 1 Lakh clients and 1000 employees. Founder and CEO, Girish says the company will continue growth @ 50%-100% every year.
Udaan
Udaan is a B2B marketplace and has been the fastest Indian start-up to reach the $1 Billion Valuation milestone. The company started by three former executives from Flipkart raised $250 Million through DST and Lightspeed Venture Partners.
Udaan is the fastest start-up to reach the $1 Billion Unicorn club. It took less than 26 months to reach this milestone.
