China created a unicorn every 3.8 days in 2018

  • The valuation of China’s biggest unicorn, Ant Financial, has exceeded 1 trillion yuan

The Chinese capital of Beijing has the largest concentration of fast-growing unicorns – start-ups valued at least US$1 billion – in the world’s second largest economy, with an estimated 79 such companies located in the city in 2018. Photo: Agence France-Presse

China fostered 97 unicorns – start-ups valued at least US$1 billion – last year, despite an economic slowdown and a prolonged trade war with the United States, according to Shanghai-based research firm Hurun Report.

The world’s second largest economy had a total of 186 unicorn start-ups last year, with a combined valuation of more than 5 trillion yuan (US$736 billion).

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