The United States continues to be the global herd of unicorns and is running the EU both in number and in the overall rating of billion dollar startups. According to a new PWC report, however, the Netherlands offers a small rectou is offered.
More than 3,000 companies worldwide have reached unicorn status since 2013 and, according to the study, have achieved an astonishing evaluation of $ 27 trillion dollars. The United States accounts for 55% of this and a whopping 75% of its overall rating.
In contrast, the EU only contributed $ 9% of billion dollar startups and generated 4% of the global unicorn value during this period.
Despite the poor performance of the block, the Netherlands beats its weight and rank as the fourth largest unicorn hub in the EU.
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The country has produced 32 unicorns, with 72% still active. Most performed between 2018 and 2022 and reflect global trends.
The majority of the active herd dealt with the services of TNW. Among them are Ayden, BirdBunq, booking.com and picnic.
Overall, Dutch unicorns make up 11% of the EU sum behind Germany, France and Sweden. In Amsterdam alone, 7% of all unicorns is in the block.
The Netherlands have also made themselves better than most if they attract unicorns to move. Five billion dollar startups emigrated to the country. Only one unicorn went in the USA.
In contrast, 64 unicorns left the EU (with the exception of the Netherlands), while only 10 startups from outside of their borders occurred.
The data was published just a few days after a worrying report on the Dutch Tech ecosystem. The new findings offer a glimmer of hope for the Netherlands, but also raises concerns.
Like the rest of the EU, the country remains far behind the USA to promote powerful companies, even after the availability of economic size, population and risk capital has been adjusted.
New tips for breeding unicorns
According to PWC, there are four main reasons why, according to PWC, the USA is the preferred playground for billions in dollars startups.
First, the intensity of the risk capital (as a share of GDP) in the USA is significantly higher than in Europe – 0.7% compared to only 0.2%.
Second, regulatory fragmentation leads to a disturbance. Differences in the language, the local terms and conditions and the lack of an integrated capital or banking union can hinder growth.
Third, the size and uniformity of the US domestic market offer a competitive advantage. After all, companies often move in the states to access a lower talent pool.
If the EU wants to close the unicorn gap, PWC advises the block to act decisively. Increased risk capital investments, the tightening of the regulations and the promotion of an integrated internal market could help scale startups faster.
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