New York---Billion-dollar startups or "unicorns" have been multiplying but only a small number have reached the value of $10 billion -- earning the nickname "decacorns."
These are the largest in the US:
Uber: $41 billion
The carsharing giant which has been growing globally, in its latest round of funding, saw its valuation surge from $17 billion to $41 billion in January.
Founded in San Francisco in 2009, Uber is present in some 200 cities and 54 countries, amid rising frictions with traditional taxi services.
Snapchat: $15 to $19 billion
Known for its vanishing messaging and its appeal to teens, Snapchat is readying a new round of funding which could push its valuation to $19 billion.
The California group drew an investment from China's Alibaba last month at a valuation of $15 billion, according to Bloomberg News.
Palantir: $15 billion
Lesser known to the public, Palantir Technologies -- which specializes in data analytics -- saw its valuation jump to $15 billion in December with its latest funding round.
The California group founded in 2004 and financed in part by the CIA's investment arm In-Q-Tel develops technology used for counterterrorism as well as the financial sector.
SpaceX: $12 billion
The private space exploration firm founded by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk announced in January that it raised $1 billion in a round led by Google and Fidelity Investments.
CB Insights rates its valuation at $12 billion. The company founded in 2002 is making rockets for NASA's space program and to resupply the International Space Station.
Pinterest: $11 billion
The bulletin board-style social network confirmed in March a fresh investment round at a valuation of $11 billion, more than doubling its previous estimate.
The fast-growing social network founded in 2010 in San Francisco has not disclosed the number of its users but analysts say it has some 47 million in the United States and additional users worldwide.
Airbnb: $10 billion
The online lodging service hit a valuation of $10 billion last year, according to souces familiar with the company.
Founded in 2008 in San Francisco, Airbnb is seen as a threat to the hotel sector similar to Uber's menace to the taxi industry. It has listings in 34,000 cities and 190 countries.
Dropbox: $10 billion
One of the early online storage services, Dropbox's latest investment round came at a valuation of $10 billion, according to CB Insights.
Founded in 2007 in San Francisco, Dropbox offers a limited free storage service to consumers and charges consumers and businesses which want more. It has some 300 million customers worldwide.
AFP
