The Rise of Unicorns and Sequoia's Dominance

The concept of unicorns, defined as privately held startups valued at $1 billion or more, has significantly transformed since its introduction in 2013, with the current count nearing 1,400. Sequoia Capital stands out as a leading player in this competitive landscape, having invested in 133 unicorns, which collectively represent over 25% of NASDAQ's value. This illustrates not only Sequoia's dominance in venture capital but also the fierce competition among VC firms to identify and fund emerging startups. The discussion highlights that despite the impressive growth and prevalence of unicorns, the venture capital business remains uncertain, with survival and ongoing success not guaranteed.