Number of global unicorn exits 2006-2022, by exit type

Initial public offering (IPO) was overwhelmingly the preferred exit method for unicorns worldwide between January and July 2021. During this period, 59 unicorns exited by going public, whereas only six unicorns were acquired. Unicorns are private companies that are valued at one billion U.S. dollars or over. If that company subsequently goes public or is acquired, it is no longer referred to as a unicorn. When a unicorn company does one of these two things, it is called an exit.

在全球范围内，2021年1月至7月间，对于独角兽企业而言，首次公开募股（IPO）无疑是首选的退出策略。在此期间，共有59家独角兽企业通过上市实现了退出，而仅有六家企业被收购。所谓独角兽企业，指的是估值达到或超过十亿美元的私营公司。若该公司随后选择上市或被收购，则不再被称为独角兽。当独角兽企业采取上述两种行动之一时，即被视为实现了退出。