What is a Unicorn Startup? | A unicorn startup is a privately held company valued at over $1 billion. The term was coined in 2013 to represent the rarity of such ventures. India today ranks among the top countries in the world for the number of unicorns, driven by young and ambitious founders. (Image: Canva)
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CNBC TV1830-12-2025, 14:40

India's Unicorn Boom Slows in 2025: Fewer Additions, Higher Hurdles

  • India added only 6 new unicorns in 2025, a significant drop from 45 in 2021, due to tight capital conditions and valuation resets.
  • Unicorn status was often achieved through secondary transactions, strategic investments, or re-ratings, rather than large primary funding rounds.
  • Key 2025 unicorns include Netradyne, Porter, Drools, Jumbotail, Fireflies.ai, and Dhan, spanning diverse sectors.
  • The market shifted towards logistics, fintech, enterprise software, and consumer staples, moving away from high-burn consumer internet models.
  • India now boasts around 125 active unicorns, ranking third globally, but the path to a billion-dollar valuation has become more selective and challenging.

Why It Matters: India's unicorn landscape in 2025 became more selective, demanding higher thresholds and conservative growth.

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