Startups

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

  • 4 min Read
  • October 13, 2021

Author

Escalon

Table of Contents

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.


  1. Zapier.

    $4B valuation as of Jan. 14. 

Tool that automates repetitive tasks between two or more apps


  1. 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.


  1. Ramp Financial.

    $3.9B valuation as of March 29. 

Corporate card designs for businesses to save money.


  1. 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.


  1. Noom.

    $3.7B valuation as of May 24. 

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


  1. 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.


  1. 6Sense.

    $2.1B valuation as of March 30. 

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


  1. 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 .


  1. Redwood Materials.

    $3.7B valuation as of July 28. 

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


  1. 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.


  1. Tonal.

    $1.6B valuation as of March 31.

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


  1. 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.


  1. OwnBackup.

    $3.35B valuation as of Jan. 28. 

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


  1. 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.


  1. ID.me.

    $1.5B valuation as of March 19. 

Simplifies how individuals securely prove and share their identity online.


  1. 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.


  1. Project44.

    $1.2B valuation as of June 1.

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


  1. ShipBob.

    $1B valuation as of June 29. 

 Global logistics platform fulfilling ecommerce orders for DTC brands.


CONSUMER AND RETAIL

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.

Talk to our team today to learn how Escalon can help take your company to the next level.

  • Expertise you can trust

    Our team is made up of seasoned professionals who bring years of industry experience to the table. You gain a trusted advisor who understands your business inside out.

  • Quality and consistency

    Say goodbye to the hassles of hiring, training and managing in-house finance teams. You will never have to worry about unexpected leave of absence or retraining new employees.

  • Scalability and Flexibility

    Whether you’re a small business or a global powerhouse, our solutions scale with your needs. We eliminate inefficiencies, reduce costs and help you focus on growing your business.

Contact Us Today!

Tap into the latest insights from experts in your industry

Accounting & Finance

Common Accounting Mistakes That Cost Medium-Sized Businesses Millions 

Accurate accounting is the bedrock of any successful business operation. Yet, medium-sized businesses—those that have grown beyond the small-business stage...

Read More
Taxes

1099 vs. W-2: How to Ensure Compliance and Reduce Risk 

Distinguishing between independent contractors (1099) and employees (W-2) is a pivotal compliance matter for U.S. businesses. Misclassification can result in...

Read More
Accounting & Finance

Capital Raising in Spring: How to Position Your Startup for Investor Interest

Spring symbolizes renewal, making it an apt metaphor for startups aiming to secure fresh capital to fuel their next growth...

Read More
uncategorized

Spring Clean Your Payroll: Essential HR Best Practices for Scaling Startups

Payroll is more than just issuing paychecks—it’s a complex, high-stakes process that can significantly impact employee satisfaction, legal compliance, and...

Read More
Accounting & Finance

How to Leverage Q2 Financial Data to Drive Startup Growth in the Second Half of the Year

For startups seeking sustainable growth, every quarter provides a treasure trove of data—but Q2 data can be particularly revealing. By...

Read More
Accounting & Finance

Q2 Business Planning: Adjusting Your Financial Strategy for the Rest of the Year

By the time Q2 rolls around, many startups have a clearer picture of their performance and market positioning compared to...

Read More
People Management & HR

5 Key HR Challenges to Address Before Summer to Keep Your Team Engaged

For many startups, the summer months can be a dual-edged sword. On one hand, warmer weather and looming vacations can...

Read More
Taxes

How to Maximize Your Tax Deductions: Essential Tips for Startups in Q2

Tax season often triggers stress and complexity—especially for startups laser-focused on building products, acquiring customers, and scaling operations. Yet savvy...

Read More
Startups

Mid-Year Financial Checkup: How to Assess and Adjust Your Startup’s Budget 

The halfway mark of any given year is more than just a date on the calendar; it’s a valuable checkpoint...

Read More