The startup world loves mythical creatures — and for years, the unicorn has reigned supreme. But as innovation and funding levels skyrocket, a new era of even larger valuations has arrived: decacorns, hectocorns, and beyond.
So, what do these terms mean, and what do they tell us about the future of global entrepreneurship? Let’s explore.
1. From Unicorns to Decacorns: A Quick Recap
The term “unicorn” was coined by venture capitalist Aileen Lee in 2013 to describe startups valued at over $1 billion USD. Back then, such companies were rare — as magical as the mythical creature itself.
But the landscape has changed dramatically. Today, there are hundreds of unicorns worldwide, from fintech disruptors to AI innovators.
Enter the decacorn — a startup valued at $10 billion or more, marking the next level of business growth and investor confidence.
2. What Are Hectocorns?
As companies scale even higher, a new label emerges: the hectocorn.
A hectocorn refers to a company valued at $100 billion or more, an extremely exclusive club that includes industry titans like:
- Apple (early days before going public)
- SpaceX
- OpenAI (depending on valuation estimates)
These firms represent not just successful startups, but transformative global enterprises.
If unicorns are dreams, hectocorns are legends.
3. Why These Terms Matter
Beyond catchy names, these classifications help investors and analysts track how innovation translates into economic power.
They highlight:
- Investor confidence in specific sectors (like AI, fintech, and biotech)
- Global capital flows into high-growth markets
- The scale of disruption new companies are capable of
The rise of decacorns and hectocorns shows how innovation can reshape industries — and economies — faster than ever.
4. Regions Leading the Charge
The U.S. and China still dominate the list of unicorns and decacorns, but new players are emerging:
- India has produced major decacorns like Byju’s and Flipkart.
- Europe sees steady growth with companies like Klarna and Revolut.
- Southeast Asia and Africa are seeing a rise in fintech and e-commerce unicorns.
The startup ecosystem is becoming more global, diverse, and competitive than ever before.
5. Beyond Hectocorns: What’s Next?
With AI, space tech, and sustainability startups driving massive valuations, we may soon see new terminology — perhaps “kilocorns” for trillion-dollar private valuations (though still rare).
As technology accelerates, what once seemed impossible is now within reach.
Conclusion
Unicorns changed how we view success in the startup world. But as innovation scales and global capital surges, decacorns and hectocorns are becoming the new milestones of modern entrepreneurship.
They remind us that in today’s economy, the power of ideas — backed by technology and vision — can grow far beyond mythical limits.
🦄✨ From unicorns to hectocorns, the startup story is only getting started.