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:
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Benchling.
$4B valuation as of April 14.
Software platform for life sciences R&D.
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Zapier.
$4B valuation as of Jan. 14.
Tool that automates repetitive tasks between two or more apps
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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.
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iCapital Network
. $4B valuation as of July 27.
Powering the world’s alternative investment marketplace.
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Ramp Financial.
$3.9B valuation as of March 29.
Corporate card designs for businesses to save money.
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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:
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Caris Life Sciences.
$7.83B valuation as of May 17.
Provides oncologists with treatment options to personalize cancer care.
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Noom.
$3.7B valuation as of May 24.
Leveraging AI, mobile tech and psychology to help people change long-term habits.
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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:
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Moveworks.
$2.1B valuation as of June 30.
Conversational AI chatbots that can answer employee queries.
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6Sense.
$2.1B valuation as of March 30.
Using AI, big data and machine learning to help B2Bs see predictable revenue growth.
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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:
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Black Unicorn Factory.
$6.1B valuation as of May 20.
Turns small startups into public stock market-ready unicorns .
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Redwood Materials.
$3.7B valuation as of July 28.
Recycles and processes scrap from battery cell production and consumer electronics.
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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:
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Dutchie.
$1.7B valuation as of March 31.
All-in-one tech platform that powers dispensary operations.
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Tonal.
$1.6B valuation as of March 31.
Full-body fitness at home without the hassle of changing machines.
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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:
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SambaNova Systems.
$5B valuation as of April 13.
Building AI hardware, integrated systems to run AI apps from data center to cloud.
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OwnBackup.
$3.35B valuation as of Jan. 28.
Developing solutions for built-in protection against data loss and corruption.
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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:
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Exabeam.
$2.4B valuation as of June 1.
Enables IT security teams to respond to cyberattacks and insider threats in real time.
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ID.me.
$1.5B valuation as of March 19.
Simplifies how individuals securely prove and share their identity online.
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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:
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Weee!
$2.8B on March 16.
Online grocery delivery platform.
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Project44.
$1.2B valuation as of June 1.
End-to-end logistics software for managing any shipment.
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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.