Startup Terms Explained: Minicorns, Soonicorns, Unicorns, and More

• India ranks third in global tech startup funding.
• Minicorns represent startups valued over $1 million.
• A unicorn is a startup valued over $1 billion.
• Decacorns exceed a valuation of $10 billion.
• A zombie startup struggles with growth and profitability.

India Rises to Third Globally in Startup Funding

In the ever-evolving startup ecosystem of India, there’s been a lot of talk recently regarding varied terminologies that capture the stages of startup valuation. Reports indicate that India ranks a solid third globally in terms of tech startup funding. This achievement, particularly notable amidst a year-on-year downturn, places the Indian tech landscape ahead of Germany and Israel, but still trailing the more booming US and UK markets. While the overall funding has dipped, India raised an impressive $4.8 billion during the first half of 2025, largely attributed to the flourishing sectors like fintech, edtech, and healthtech.

Diving Into Startup Terminology

Now, in the true spirit of innovation, let’s unpack some of the quirky yet significant terms that define where startups stand in their journeys: Minicorns, Soonicorns, Unicorns, Decacorns, Hectocorns, and even Zombies. First off, Minicorns are those fledgling startups boasting a valuation of over $1 million; they possess a distinct vision and are hustling towards the unicorn status. On the other hand, Soonicorns are almost like the precursors to Unicorns; they are the startups valued based on informed projections and trends indicating a promising path to that coveted billion-dollar valuation. This positioning is strategic, allowing these companies to leverage their growth potential before they officially hit that Unicorn mark.

From Unicorns to Zombies: The Startup Ecosystem

Then we have the majestic Unicorn – startups that have broken the billion-dollar barrier. Coined by Aileen Lee in 2013, the term illustrates the rarity of such remarkable success. Moving up the ranks, Decacorns surpass the $10 billion mark, with Facebook making history as the first to attain this status in 2017 after significant Microsoft funding. And let’s not forget Hectocorns, companies valued over a staggering $100 billion, often referred to as Super Unicorns, with giants like Apple and Google proudly fitting this bill. Conversely, the Zombie category is quite morbid. These are startups that linger on life support; they’re able to keep the lights on but show little sign of vigorous growth or revenue generation. Understanding these terms helps aspiring entrepreneurs navigate their own journeys and ambitions, amidst a thriving yet competitive ecosystem.

In summary, India’s startup scene is vibrant and competitive, securing a place as the third largest globally. The various startup terminologies like Minicorns, Soonicorns, Unicorns, Decacorns, Hectocorns and even Zombies paint a colorful picture of a dynamic business landscape. These terms not only reflect stages of growth but also highlight the polysemy of success in this exhilarating yet challenging environment.