In search of EU unicorns -
What do we know about them?
This paper provides insights into the geographical and sectorial distribution of EU unicorns. Using the Unicorn club data from Dealroom up to mid-2021, it explores where they are located, how old they are and how they reached unicorn status. The analysis takes the form of a comparative study of unicorns from the EU, the US and China. We compare the three locations in terms of the age of companies at which unicorn status is reached, the number of financing rounds and the overall amount of financing raised by the time unicorn status is attained. We also profile the top investors in European unicorns and their acquisition strategies. We then look at the unicorn founders in terms of gender, place of origin and educational background. Finally, we discuss the role of government intervention, in particular of the European Innovation Council, in supporting the development of fast-growing companies.
TESTA Giuseppina;
COMPANO Ramon;
CORREIA Ana;
RÜCKERT Eva;
2022-02-25
Publications Office of the European Union
JRC127712
978-92-76-47058-8 (online),
1831-9424 (online),
EUR 30978 EN,
OP KJ-NA-30978-EN-N (online),
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC127712,
10.2760/843368 (online),
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