"With AI igniting an investor frenzy, every month, more startups obtain unicorn status. Using data from Crunchbase and PitchBook, TechCrunch tracked down the VC-backed startups that became unicorns so far this year. While most are AI-related, a surprising number are focused in other industries like satellite space companies Loft Orbital and blockchain-based trading site Kalshi. This list will be updated throughout the year, so check back and see the latest powerhouse startups that are now worth over $1 billion."
"December Heven Aerotech -$1 billion: This startup, founded in 2019, is creating hydrogen powered drones. It last raised a $100 million Series B, and has raised $115.2 million in total capital to date. Investors include IonQ, according to Pitchbook. Unconventional AI - $4.5 billion: This startup, founded in 2025 by Databricks former head of AI, Naveen Rao, is working on an energy-efficient computer for AI. It last raised a $475 million seed round from investors including Andreessen Horowitz and Lightspeed, Rao told Bloomberg."
"Saviynt - $3 billion: This identity management cybersecurity startup, launched in 2010, last raised a $700 million Series B. It has raised $740 million in funding to date from investors, including KKR, according to Pitchbook. Serval - $1 billion: This startup creates AI agents to help IT professionals' complete tasks. Founded in 2024, t he company last raised a $74.8 million Series B. It has raised around $126 million in funding to date from investors including Sequoia and Redpoint, according to Pitchbook."
VC-backed startups reaching valuations over $1 billion increased monthly, driven largely by AI companies alongside notable entrants from satellite and blockchain sectors. Heven Aerotech, founded in 2019, builds hydrogen-powered drones and raised a $100 million Series B, totaling $115.2 million with investors including IonQ. Unconventional AI, founded in 2025 by former Databricks AI lead Naveen Rao, develops an energy-efficient computer for AI and closed a $475 million seed from Andreessen Horowitz and Lightspeed. Saviynt offers identity-management cybersecurity, launched in 2010, and raised $700 million in a Series B. Serval creates AI agents for IT professionals and raised $74.8 million recently.
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