Technology companies with high market capitalisation (often called unicorns) have been receiving a lot of attention and media coverage recently.
In general, unicorns are IT-based (software mostly, but also hardware). They are often rather young global companies that match unsatisfied demand with supply through the production (which can be scaled up) of innovative and usually affordable services and products. These are usually part of the mobile internet wave, and rely on connectivity (high speed networks, mobile and fixed), new devices (smartphones, tablets, phablets…) and the opportunities these bring. They are grounded in network effects, and demand-side economies of scale and scope. They depend on a strong favourable business environment, developing organically and building on fast expanding markets (emerging economies, middle classes). They are VC-dependent and the competition for funding can generate impressive (inflated?) valuations. These companies can be disruptive for other sectors and firms.
This report aims to document the phenomenon by investigating a qualitative sample of 30 companies that have recently been valued above the one billion dollar threshold. It identifies some of their characteristics and the lessons to be learnt.JRC.J.3-Information Societ
