unicorn
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unicorn
A mythical creature usually depicted as a horse with a single, straight horn on its forehead.
In dem Märchenbuch gab es die Geschichte von einem Einhorn, das im Wald lebte.
In the book of fairy tales, there was the story of a unicorn that lived in the forest.
unicorn
In business jargon, a startup company that reaches a market valuation of over one billion US dollars before an IPO or acquisition.
Das junge Tech-Unternehmen wurde nach der letzten Finanzierungsrunde zum Einhorn.
The young tech company became a unicorn after the last round of financing.
The word 'Einhorn' (unicorn) is a simple compound of the words 'ein' (one) and 'Horn' (horn). So it literally describes an animal with exactly one horn, which perfectly matches the idea of the mythical creature.
Das Wappen der Familie zeigte ein stolzes Einhorn.
The family's coat of arms showed a proud unicorn.
You can tell from the context whether the mythical creature or the startup is meant. If people are talking about fairy tales, fantasy, or magic, it is about the animal. In conversations about business, finance, or technology, it refers to the successful company.
Dieses Berliner Startup hat das Potenzial, zum nächsten Einhorn zu werden.
This Berlin startup has the potential to become the next unicorn.
The meaning as a startup company is purely business jargon. It is used almost exclusively in professional circles, business news, and the startup scene.
Auf der Konferenz diskutierten Investoren über die Bewertung des neuesten Einhorns am Markt.
At the conference, investors discussed the valuation of the newest unicorn on the market.
In a business context, a company becomes 'zum Einhorn' (a unicorn). People also say that it 'als Einhorn gilt' (is considered a unicorn) or has 'den Einhorn-Status erreicht' (reached unicorn status).
Nach der Investition stieg das Unternehmen zum Einhorn auf.
After the investment, the company rose to unicorn status.
