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Writer's pictureBarsha Singh

What is a unicorn, and what does it take to become one?


What is a "unicorn startup," and how does one become one?

A unicorn startup is a privately owned company with a market capitalization of more than $1 billion.

Unicorn businesses are often tech firms, but what sets them apart is that, with the support of venture capitalists and other investors, they swiftly raise their worth into the billions. Unicorns are so named because it's highly uncommon for a startup's worth to increase by so much in such a short period of time.


Despite the fact that each unicorn business is unique, they all share a few key characteristics. A strong business strategy, strong leadership, the proper team, and the right product at the right time are all important components.

In India, the importance of starting a business is enormous.

•Within the physical bounds of any nation, a healthy startup environment contributes to economic growth and advancement.

•Job Creation: Startups in India have generated more jobs than any other country.

•Wealth distribution and creation– They aid in the reduction of economic power concentrations and the promotion of fair income redistribution.

•Higher living standards- They contribute to a higher living standard and the development of a decent society.

•GDP Growth– GDP growth is critical for every country's economic progress.

•Encourages export — India's startup ecosystem helps the country generate valuable foreign currency by boosting export.

•Technological advancements—Startups will develop new technologies that will enhance operations and reduce operating costs.

•Overall Economic Development—By strengthening and deepening competition in marketplaces, they contribute to economic dynamism.

•It benefits customers by lowering costs and increasing product diversity, as well as promoting value-chain activities both upstream and downstream.

Some of the most typical characteristics of unicorn businesses are discussed, as well as some recommendations.

1) In Unicorn Business, Disruptive Innovation

To begin, you must distinguish yourself from your competition. This game-changing distinction does not have to be extreme. It has to be straightforward yet clever.

Let's use the Uber example to illustrate this point. Before Uber, the transportation industry had reached a mature state. This would be a tremendous error if we believe that.

Uber made a difference by bringing a fresh viewpoint to the system. For both the driver and the client, it was quite convenient. After all, the ultimate winner is the one who comes out on top.

As a result, it is critical to accurately assess public demand and react to public demands.

2) Marketing with a focus on customers

In addition to developing a unicorn firm, the customer-oriented marketing concept gives you an edge. The focus on customer-oriented marketing is a frequent trait of successful unicorn businesses.

The likelihood of a successful conversion rate is much higher if you consistently put your clients at the heart of your marketing and sales activity. It's also crucial to keep in touch with the audience after you've had a chance to speak with them.

Customers' involvement must be prioritised if you want to enhance your contact with them.

You become a good brand if you know what you want to achieve and have a well-developed business strategy. Sticking to your strategy, on the other hand, does not preclude you from modifying or evolving in response to fast changing client trends.

When it comes to customer orientation, you must constantly be adaptable and flexible. Large corporations like Apple and Netflix, for example, have developed effective strategies in this area.

When it comes to enhancing consumer-oriented marketing tactics, there are a number of variables to consider. Check out our blog article on customer success metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor for more details.


3) A business that is technology-enabled

In comparison to pre-tech days, it is now simpler for businesses to reach new audiences and increase sales. It is unnecessary to state that technology has become a fundamental instrument in terms of development and diffusion. The essence of creating unicorn firms is prioritising software and digitalization technologies.

The vast majority of unicorn startups are software firms focused on cutting-edge technology. These are user-friendly programmes that make life simpler for us. This straightforward strategy is equally as crucial as disruptive innovation. They use technology to innovate in the areas of mass media, effective communication, and transportation.

That is to say, even if you are in the 20%, you must establish a technology-driven company.


4) A significant amount of effort is required.

In the next section of our post, we'll discuss how long it takes to become a unicorn business. However, unless you are one of the fortunate few, success does not come easily.

The story's most underappreciated aspect is consistency, continuity, and a lot of hard work. Any company that gives up too soon will never progress. This may seem cliched, but the key to success is to keep trying when things go wrong. You must maintain constant attention, dedication, and motivation.


5) Consider the larger picture

You must establish yourself in the worldwide market if your objective is to attain a number of $ 1 million as rapidly as feasible. As a result, your target audience should be based on a worldwide scale.

Some requirements and ideals differ from one culture to the next, as well as from one civilization to the next. To take your business one step further and achieve unicorn status, you'll need to focus on global needs and ideals. The fact that software companies provide a solution to a major worldwide demand is maybe the most important reason why they are one step ahead in the entrepreneurial sector.

Airbnb (vacation rental service) was one of the most successful instances of a worldwide demand being met. For individuals from all over the globe, it offered a fundamental human need: accommodation. It also created a service that is accessible through the web and mobile devices. As a result, both travellers and hosts benefitted greatly from Airbnb.


6) Obtaining funding

These are some speculative gimmicks to get you started. So, how do you feel about making a financial investment? It's simple to figure out: It's all about networking, networking, networking.

The majority of unicorns are based on strategic alliances. Angel investors may invest in companies with high industry value and help them achieve unicorn status, allowing them to make a worldwide breakthrough.

Another critical factor is to have a predictable business plan. Investors prefer reliable and promising strategies over hypothetical ones.

Angel investors also want to be hands-on with the companies they invest in. As a result, people choose to invest in companies that share their passions.


7) A Fast-Growth Business Plan

Of course, every company wants to expand and develops a growth plan to achieve this goal. However, we can conclude that for unicorn businesses, the aforementioned approach is a bit more crucial.


In such tactics, high-value startups are backed by large sums of money. They strive to outgrow their competition by gaining a competitive edge and providing the product/service for a lower price. Because investors now largely depend on quick growth techniques for the creation of a company, the majority of unicorns favour this typical approach.

These methods promote significant quantities of money to be invested in each round of financing in order to gain the maximum possible market share and block the entry of new rivals. In exchange, each fundraising round raises the value of a unicorn firm.

Rapid growth, unlike organic growth, happens quickly. However, in many ways, it is riskier than natural development. Entrepreneurs, on the other hand, are willing to take chances if they know they will be rewarded in the end.


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