• At least 36 startups reached unicorn status in 2025, led by AI but spanning diverse sectors.
  • Standouts include Thinking Machines ($10B), Celestial AI ($2.5B), and Kalshi ($2B).
  • Robust VC funding and cross-industry innovation continue to fuel the unicorn boom.

The first half of 2025 has seen a remarkable surge in venture-backed startups reaching unicorn status, according to data from Crunchbase and PitchBook.

While artificial intelligence remains the dominant theme, a diverse array of industries—including robotics, healthcare, fintech, and even satellite technology—are represented among this year’s newly minted unicorns.

Notable New Unicorns by Month

June

  • Linear ($1.25B): A software development and product management tool, backed by Accel and Sequoia.
  • Gecko ($1.62B): The robotics company specialises in data-gathering machines that climb, crawl, swim, and fly.
  • Meter ($1.25B): Managed internet infrastructure for enterprises, with investors like General Catalyst and Sam Altman.
  • Teamworks ($1.25B): A sports software platform, raised $247M Series F.
  • Thinking Machines ($10B): An AI research firm, founded by OpenAI alum Mira Murati; raised $2B seed round from a16z and Nvidia.
  • Kalshi ($2B): A blockchain-based prediction markets platform.
  • Decagon ($1.5B): An AI-powered customer service agent.

May

  • Pathos ($1.6B): A drug development founded in 2020, last raised $365M Series D.
  • Statsig ($1.1B): A product development platform, backed by Sequoia and ICONIQ Growth.
  • SpreeAI ($1.5B): A shopping technology company. They have raised more than $20M to date from investors.
  • Function ($2.5B): A health tech company, last raised a $200M round.
  • Owner ($1B): Founded in 2018, this restaurant marketing software has raised $180 million in funding to date from investors.
  • Awardco ($1B): An employee engagement platform, last raised a $165 million Series B.

April

  • Nourish ($1B): This 2020 Dietitian telehealth company last raised $70M Series B.
  • Chapter ($1.38B): A Medicare guide for health tech founded in 2013. Last raised a $75 million Series D.
  • Threatlocker ($1.2B): An Orlando-based Data protection company, founded in 2017, last raised $60M Series E.
  • Cyberhaven ($1B): A 2015 Data detection company, last raised a $100M Series D.

March

  • Fleetio ($1.5B): An Alabama-based startup that creates software to help make fleet operations easier.
  • The Bot Company ($2B): This 2024 robotics platform last raised a $150 million early-stage round,
  • Celestial AI ($2.5B): The California-based AI hardware company has raised $250M Series C.
  • Underdog Fantasy ($1.3B): The sports gaming company, founded in 2020, last raised a $70 million Series C.
  • Build Ops ($1B): A construction software company that last raised a $127 million Series C, valuing it at $1 billion.
  • Insilico Medicine ($1B): The drug research company raised a $110 million Series E. It launched in 2014, has raised more than $500 million to date in capital
  • Olipop ($2B): A popular probiotic soda company founded in 2018, last raised a $137.9 million Series C at a $1.96 billion valuation.
  • Peregrine ($2.5B): This data analysis and integration platform, launched in 2017, last raised a $190 million Series C.
  • Assured ($1B): The AI company helps process claims and last raised a $23 million Series B. Launched in 2019 and has raised a little more than $26 million to date.

February

  • Abridge ($2.8B): This medtech company, founded in 2018, last raised a $250 million Series D.
  • OpenEvidence ($1B): This medtech company, founded in 2017, last raised a $75 million Series A.
  • Hightouch ($1.2B): The data platform, founded in 2018, last raised an $80 million Series C.

January

  • Kikoff ($1B): This personal finance platform last raised an undisclosed amount that valued it at $1 billion, founded in 2019.
  • Netradyne ($1.35B): Founded in 2015, this computer vision startup raised a $90 million Series D.
  • Hippocratic AI ($1.6B): This startup, founded in 2023, creates healthcare models and has raised a $141 million Series B.
  • Truveta ($1B): Founded in 2020, this genetic research company raised a $320 million round.
  • Clay ($1.25B): Founded in 2017, Clay is an AI sales platform. The company raised a $40 million Series B.
  • Mercor ($2B): This contract recruiting startup, founded in 2022, raised a $100 million Series B.
  • Loft Orbital ($1B): Founded in 2017, the satellite company raised a $170 million Series C.
  • AI Dominance: Most new unicorns are AI-focused, spanning from research labs to applied platforms in sales, healthcare, and customer service.
  • Sector Diversity: Robotics, health tech, fintech, and even consumer goods (like Olipop) are seeing billion-dollar valuations.
  • Global Spread: While North America leads, unicorns are emerging from Europe, Asia, and beyond, reflecting a global appetite for innovation.

Edited by Annette George