Unicorns, businesses that are privately owned and valued at over $1 billion, are constantly popping up in markets all over the world. However, that being said, the overall number of unicorns is still fairly limited – Eqvista puts the total at 1,565 as of January 2025. So, it goes without saying that achieving unicorn status is no easy feat.
Unsurprisingly, the vast majority of these companies hail from the countries with the largest economies, namely, the United States and China, which are home to about 729 and 340 respectively. From there on out, the number of unicorns per country is still pretty closely related to economy size and GDP.
The Huran Research Institute estimates that, on average, the world produces a new unicorn every two days (most of which come from the US).
This may seem like a lot, but it’s worth bearing in mind that a business’s unicorn status is very much subject to change, and there are two things that can cause this. First, if the company’s valuation drops below $1 billion which is not only very possible, but it also happens more often than one may think – especially for businesses that only just scraped past the $1 billion minimum.
Second, while not all businesses necessarily shift from private to public ownership, it is very common for successful companies to do that once they reach a certain level of success. There are plenty of reasons for this, but a couple of the most obvious ones include: increased access to capital, potentially increased valuation, higher likelihood of acquisition, debt management and more.
But, having said that, the move from private to public is not a given and certainly isn’t always the best move. Indeed, some businesses and business owner choose to stay away from IPO registration and other forms of public ownership as it means they (generally) have more decision-making power, increased flexibility and several tax advantages.
Overall, there are advantages to both options, and for that reason, it’s not uncommon for companies who have become unicorns to “lose” their unicorn status as a result of a calculated, well-thought-out decision to go public. Thus, the list is always changing.
6 New Tech Unicorns for January 2025
In an ever-changing market and global economy, it’s fascinating to monitor the unicorn scene and see which companies gain the title, which industries are particularly successful and keep track of how many unicorns are emerging during different periods.
In January of 2025, 6 privately owned tech companies from all over the globe surpassed the $1 billion mark, becoming the newest tech unicorns in the world. They re Kikoff, Netradyne, Hippocratic AI, Truveta, Mercor and Loft Orbital.
1. Kikoff: $1 Billion
Founded in 2019, Kikoff is a personal finance platform based in San Francisco, one of the most vibrant locations for unicorns not only in the US, but all over the world.
The company focuses on helping users build and improve their credit scores through accessible financial products and educational resources.
Kikoff’s success can be attributed to its user-friendly approach to credit building, addressing a significant need for financial literacy and inclusion. In January 2025, the company reached a valuation of $1 billion, following an undisclosed funding round.
2. Netradyne: $1 Billion
Netradyne specialiees in fleet safety and management technology. Established in San Diego in 2015, the company leverages artificial intelligence and edge computing to provide real-time insights into driver behavior, aiming to reduce accidents and enhance overall fleet performance.
Netradyne’s innovative approach has resonated with commercial fleet operators seeking to improve safety standards. In January 2025, Netradyne raised $90 million in a Series D funding round, bringing its pre-money valuation to $1 billion.
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3. Hippocratic AI: $1.64 Billion
Hippocratic AI is headquartered in Palo Alto and is one of the fastest-growing companies in terms of progressing to unicorn status. Hippocratic AI is developing a safety-focused large language model tailored for healthcare applications.
The platform aims to handle non-diagnostic, patient-facing tasks, thereby improving healthcare accessibility and efficiency. The company’s commitment to creating reliable AI solutions has garnered significant attention in the medical community.
Hippocratic AI secured a $141 million Series B funding round led by Kleiner Perkins in January 2025, elevating its valuation to $1.64 billion.
4. Truveta: $1 Billion
Founded in 2020 and based in Seattle, Truveta is a healthcare data analytics company. The platform aggregates de-identified patient data from numerous health systems to provide insights that can enhance patient care and advance medical research.
Truveta’s ability to compile and analyse vast amounts of health data has positioned it as a valuable resource for healthcare providers and researchers.
The company raised $320 million from investors in January 2025, including 17 health systems – Illumina and Regeneron – pushing its valuation above $1 billion.
5. Mercor: $2 Billion
Mercor, founded in 2023, is an AI-driven recruiting platform designed to streamline the hiring process for companies by leveraging machine learning algorithms to match candidates with suitable roles efficiently.
The platform’s innovative approach to recruitment has attracted significant interest from businesses aiming to enhance their talent acquisition strategies. Mercor raised $100 million in funding in January in 2025, resulting in its most recent valuation of $2 billion.
6. Loft Orbital: $1 Billion
Established in 2017, Loft Orbital is a space technology company with headquarters in both France and the United States. The company provides ready-to-use satellite infrastructure, enabling customers to deploy space-based missions without the need to build and launch their own satellites.
Loft Orbital’s scalable and efficient solutions have made space more accessible to a broader range of clients. In January 2025, the company raised €170 million in a Series C funding round, bringing its valuation to $1 billion.