The top $1B “unicorn” startups by category so far in 2021

Here we’ve listed the most valuable U.S.-based unicorns — to qualify for this vaunted niche means the startup has a valuation of $1 billion — for 2021’s first three quarters. The list is arranged by startup category and includes its top performers and the total number of unicorns for the division.

INTERNET SOFTWARE & SERVICES – 82

Category’s three most-valuable unicorns Q1 to Q3 2021:

1. Benchling.

   $4B valuation as of April 14. 

Software platform for life sciences R&D.

2. Zapier.

   $4B valuation as of Jan. 14. 

Tool that automates repetitive tasks between two or more apps

3. Relativity.

   $3.6B valuation as of March 18.

 SaaS solution for big-time legal challenges.

FINTECH – 69

Category’s three most-valuable unicorns Q1 to Q3 2021.

1. iCapital Network

   . $4B valuation as of July 27.  

Powering the world’s alternative investment marketplace.

2. Ramp Financial.

   $3.9B valuation as of March 29. 

Corporate card designs for businesses to save money.

3. FalconX.

   $3.75B valuation as of Aug.

Internet finance company built on blockchain tech and powered by crypto assets.

HEALTH – 33

Category’s three most-valuable unicorns Q1 to Q3 2021:

1. Caris Life Sciences.

   $7.83B valuation as of May 17. 

Provides oncologists with treatment options to personalize cancer care.

2. Noom.

   $3.7B valuation as of May 24. 

 Leveraging AI, mobile tech and psychology to help people change long-term habits. 

3. Komodo Health.

   $3.3B valuation as of May 22. 

Analyzing data across patients, practitioners and health systems. 

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE – 30

Category’s three most-valuable unicorns Q1 to Q3 2021:

1. Moveworks.

   $2.1B valuation as of June 30. 

Conversational AI chatbots that can answer employee queries.

2. 6Sense.

   $2.1B valuation as of March 30. 

Using AI, big data and machine learning to help B2Bs see predictable revenue growth.

3. Hive.

   $2B valuation as of April 21. 

Automating business processes that rely on video, image, text, audio interpretation .

“OTHER” – 24

Category’s three most-valuable unicorns Q1 to Q3 2021:

1. Black Unicorn Factory.

   $6.1B valuation as of May 20. 

Turns small startups into public stock market-ready unicorns .

2. Redwood Materials.

   $3.7B valuation as of July 28. 

Recycles and processes scrap from battery cell production and consumer electronics.

3. Bowery Farming.

   $2.3B valuation as of May 25. 

Growing food for a better future by revolutionizing agriculture.

E-commerce & direct-to-consumer – 20

Category’s three most-valuable unicorns Q1 to Q3 2021:

1. Dutchie.

   $1.7B valuation as of March 31.

 All-in-one tech platform that powers dispensary operations.

2. Tonal.

   $1.6B valuation as of March 31.

 Full-body fitness at home without the hassle of changing machines.

3. Skims.

   $1.6B valuation as of April 9. 

Manufactures, retails undergarments and loungewear that enhance body shape.

Data management and analytics – 19

Category’s three most-valuable unicorns Q1 to Q3 2021:

1. SambaNova Systems.

   $5B valuation as of April 13. 

Building AI hardware, integrated systems to run AI apps from data center to cloud.

2. OwnBackup.

   $3.35B valuation as of Jan. 28. 

Developing solutions for built-in protection against data loss and corruption.

3. Cockroach Labs.

   $2.16B valuation as of Jan. 12. 

Developing apps that scale fast, survive anything and thrive everywhere.

CYBERSECURITY – 16

Category’s three most valuable unicorns Q1 to Q3 2021:

1. Exabeam.

   $2.4B valuation as of June 1. 

Enables IT security teams to respond to cyberattacks and insider threats in real time.

2. ID.me.

   $1.5B valuation as of March 19. 

Simplifies how individuals securely prove and share their identity online.

3. Socure.

   $1.3B valuation as of March 16. 

Predictive analytics platform for digital identity verification of consumers.

SUPPLY CHAIN, LOGISTICS AND DELIVERY – 12

Category’s three most valuable unicorns Q1 to Q3 2021:

1. Weee!

   $2.8B on March 16. 

Online grocery delivery platform.

2. Project44.

   $1.2B valuation as of June 1.

 End-to-end logistics software for managing any shipment.

3. ShipBob.

   $1B valuation as of June 29. 

 Global logistics platform fulfilling ecommerce orders for DTC brands.

CONSUMER AND RETAIL

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8

Category’s most valuable unicorn Q1 to Q3 2021: 

JUUL Labs.

$12B valuation as of Dec. 20. 

Manufactures and markets e-cigarettes.

AUTO AND TRANSPORTATION – 7

Category’s most valuable unicorn Q1 to Q3 2021: 

Rivian.

$27.6B valuation as of Sept. 10. 

Electric vehicle automaker and automotive tech designer.

HARDWARE – 7

Category’s most valuable unicorn Q1 to Q3 2021: 

Samsara Networks.

$6.3B valuation as of March 22. 

Integrates plug-and-play sensors, wireless connectivity and cloud-hosted software. 

MOBILE & TELECOMMUNICATIONS – 7

Category’s most valuable unicorn Q1 to Q3 2021: 

Attentive.

$5.99B valuation as of Sept. 23. 

Personalized mobile messaging platform. 

EDTECH – 6

Category’s most valuable unicorn Q1 to Q3 2021: 

Articulate.

$3.75B valuation as of July 1. 

Develops e-learning software, content and community for online training courses.