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.
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.
startup
'das Startup' and 'das Einhorn' can both refer to a young, modern company. 'Startup' is the normal term for a newly founded company with a new idea and often a lot of growth. In business, 'Einhorn' is more specific: it refers only to a startup that is already valued very highly, namely at over one billion US dollars. Learners may confuse the words because an 'Einhorn' in this sense is always a startup. But not every startup is an 'Einhorn'. In everyday language and when talking about young companies, 'Startup' usually fits. 'Einhorn' only fits when the topic is this very high valuation.
Nach der neuen Finanzierungsrunde gilt das Unternehmen in der Branche als Einhorn.
After the new round of financing, the company is considered a unicorn in the industry.
Aylin arbeitet seit März bei einem Startup, das eine neue App für Restaurants entwickelt.
Aylin has been working since March at a startup that is developing a new app for restaurants.