For the second time, with help of Chapel Hill venture firm True Brudge Capital Partners, Forbes has released their annual list of Next Billion-Dollar Startups. On this year’s list are 25 US startups that have raised a notable amount of money, have passed the puberty test with varying degrees of explosive growth, and according to the confident crew at Forbes, are well on their way to a one-billion-dollar valuation.
Revenues were reviewed, customer data was analyzed, historical performances were probed, and conversations with a wide spectrum of stakeholders were considered. After extensive examination, here are their predictions for this year’s Unicorn Club.
BitSight Technologies
Business Type: Simplification Of Security Monitoring (Provides “Security Ratings”)
Estimated 2016 Revenue: $30 Million
“Translating complex cybersecurity issues into simple business context through security ratings. The BitSight Security Rating platform exposes the connections that can put networks or data at risk. Using terabytes of data, BitSight generates objective, outside-in security performance ratings via a SaaS platform for you, your peers, your clients, and your vendors.”
Boxed
Business Type: Direct-to-Consumer Bulk Grocery Delivery
Estimated 2016 Revenue: +$100 Million
“With the Boxed app, you can shop from the convenience of your phone and be done with your stock-up trip in minutes. Our team tests and selects a range of the most popular products so you can be confident in your purchase. Shop tried-and-true household favorites as well as new, hand-picked brands.”
Checkr
Business Type: Background Checks & Screening
Estimated 2016 Revenue: $150 Million
“Background screenings are transactions that rely on trust and we believe trust is based on transparency. Consumers deserve more transparency on their rights and the information in their report. Employers deserve more transparency on data, its value and their responsibilities. Checkr has found the way to balance safety and consumer protection. It is our responsibility to be accurate and help our clients avoid errors.”
ClassPass
Business Type: Monthly Health & Fitness Class Memberships
Estimated 2016 Revenue: $180 Million
“ClassPass is a monthly membership that connects you to 8,000+ of the best fitness studios. With one membership you can search options, book classes, and manage your entire routine. It’s never been easier to hit up boxing, pop by barre, or give cycling a whirl.”
Collective Health
Business Type: Health Benefits Platform (Processing Health Claims)
Estimated 2016 Revenue: $15 Million
“Administer your plans and adjudicate your claims with brand new technology. We match you to the nation’s leading medical, pharmacy, dental and vision networks. Technology + Design + Humans to give you and your people the experience you deserve.”
Doppler Labs
Business Type: Hardware / Software Innovation (Here One Ear Buds)
Estimated 2017 Revenue: $100 Million
“Through two wireless smart earbuds and a connected app, Here One redefines the way we engage with sound through technology. This first version of Here offered a limited feature set, providing real-world volume control, EQ, and sound effects.”
Freshdesk
Business Type: Customer Support Enablement Platform For Businesses
Estimated 2016 Revenue: $65 Million
“Freshdesk is a cloud-based customer support platform that was founded with the mission of enabling companies of all sizes to provide great customer service. Our goal is simple: make it easy for brands to talk to their customers and make it easy for users to get in touch with businesses.”
Fuze
Business Type: Communications & Collaboration Platform for Businesses
Estimated 2016 Revenue: +$150 Million
“Fuze Reimagines User Experience for Business Communications. New UX design empowers the end user and administrator; facilitates collaboration and adoption across the enterprise.”
Gigster
Business Type: Software Development Service & Technology (Outsourcing)
Estimated 2016 Revenue: $30 Million
“Gigster is a smart software development service, combining top developers and designers with artificial intelligence.”
GoFundMe
Business Type: Crowdfunding Platform
Estimated 2016 Revenue: $100 Million
“Launched in 2010, GoFundMe is the world’s largest social fundraising platform, with over $3 billion raised so far. With a community of more than 25 million donors, GoFundMe is changing the way the world gives.”
Guardant Health
Business Type: Genomic Cancer Blood Testing Technology
Estimated 2016 Revenue: $30 Million
“Guardant Health has helped thousands of oncologists learn accurate and actionable information about tens of thousands of patients, while avoiding the costs and risks of tissue biopsies. Our genomic test helps match advanced-cancer patients to approved targeted therapies as well as drugs in clinical trials.”
HotelTonight
Business Type: Last-Minute Hotel Booking Platform
Estimated 2016 Revenue: $60 Million
“Great hotels. Amazing last-minute deals. Book wherever, whenever on your mobile device for tonight, tomorrow and next week.”
InVision
Business Type: Rapid Prototyping for Websites & Apps (w/out Back-End Engineering Investment)
Estimated 2016 Revenue: $40 Million
“Get high-fidelity in under 5 minutes. Upload your design files and add animations, gestures, and transitions to transform your static screens into clickable, interactive prototypes.”
Mark43
Business Type: Document, Records & Process Management Software for Law Enforcement
Estimated 2016 Revenue: +$15 Million
“Before Cobalt, law enforcement software was often complicated, cluttered, and costly. Aiming to combat this trend, we took cues from today’s leading technology and applied it to data management in police work.”
Opendoor
Business Type: Software Platform for Simplifying The Sale Of Homes (They’re The Ones Who Buy The Homes)
Estimated 2016 Revenue: +$50 Million
“Tell us everything that makes your house special so we can make you the most competitive offer. With your offer in hand, confidently choose the next step in your journey as a homeowner, whatever that may be. No listing, no showings. You pick your close date, receive funds and move into your new home the day you want.”
Owlet Baby Care
Business Type: Baby Monitor for Heart Rate & Oxygen (Mobile App Connected)
Estimated 2016 Revenue: $20 Million
“Our wireless Smart Sock fits snug on your baby’s foot and monitors their heart rate and oxygen levels while they sleep.”
Procore Technologies
Business Type: Project Management Software for Construction
Estimated 2016 Revenue: $55 Million
“Procore Technologies, Inc., the world’s number one most widely used construction management software, helps firms drastically increase project efficiency and accountability by streamlining and mobilizing project communication and documentation. Hundreds of thousands of registered Procore users manage all types of construction projects including industrial plants, office buildings, apartment complexes, university facilities, retail centers, and more.”
Rubicon Global
Business Type: Marketplace / Platform Connecting Companies With Waste To Companies With Hauling & Recycling Services
Estimated 2016 Revenue: +$300 Million
“The biggest waste management providers—which handle 65% of all U.S. waste—are landfill companies. They have an outdated, asset-heavy model that pays them twice for every customer—once when they pick up trash, and once when they dump it in the landfills they own. It’s a grossly inefficient industry that thrives on continual price increases, too-frequent pickup schedules and zero billing transparency. For many businesses, there hasn’t been a better option—until now.”
Rubrik
Business Type: Cloud-Based Data Management
Estimated 2016 Revenue: $50 Million
“We built the world’s first cloud data management platform that delivers data protection, search, analytics, compliance, and copy data management to hybrid cloud enterprises. To democratize public cloud for all enterprises, unlock the architecture to manage data at scale–anywhere, anytime.”
SumoLogic
Business Type: Analytics & Monitoring Software for Networks and Development/Application Environments
Estimated 2016 Revenue: +$50 Million
“Sumo Logic simplifies how you collect and analyze machine data so that you can gain deep visibility across your full application and infrastructure stack. With the Sumo Logic service, you can accelerate modern application delivery, monitor and troubleshoot in real time and improve your security and compliance posture.”
ServiceMax
Business Type: Field Service Management Software
Estimated 2016 Revenue: $60 Million
“There are more than five million field technicians in the US and tens of millions across the globe. The machines and equipment we use every day—in our homes, at our offices, in hospitals and just about everywhere—need to be installed, fixed and serviced, and these field technicians are tasked with keeping our worlds and the world running every single day. ServiceMax is the only complete field service software solution helping companies of all sizes manage contracts, scheduling, and parts, while also providing solutions for social, portals, and analytics—all delivered in the cloud to any mobile device.”
Sisense
Business Type: Business Intelligence Software (Big Data Analytics, Visualization & Management)
Estimated 2016 Revenue: $50 Million
“Sisense lets you analyze complex data with complete agility. From easy data preparation to beautiful dashboards and interactive analytics, Sisense gives your business a simple way to manage, analyze and visualize all your data.”
Talkdesk
Business Type: Call Center Software (Integrates w/ eCommerce, CRM, etc.)
Estimated 2016 Revenue: $30 Million
“Connect with your customers in real time and increase customer satisfaction and loyalty. With Talkdesk, you will enjoy all the benefits of enterprise call center software, without all the complexity.”
Tenable Network Security
Business Type: System Vulnerability Management Software (Network / Data Security)
Estimated 2016 Revenue: $125 Million
“Tenable Network Security transforms security technology for the business needs of tomorrow through comprehensive solutions that provide continuous visibility and critical context, enabling decisive actions to protect your organization. Tenable eliminates blind spots, prioritizes threats, and reduces exposure and loss.”
Yapstone
Business Type: Payments Processing Platform / Electronic Payments
Estimated 2016 Revenue: $55 Million
“YapStone powers payments for businesses both large and small. We’ve refined our payment processing platform to serve the needs of a very diverse set of partners, including global online marketplaces, property management companies, vacation rental companies, faith-based organizations and non-profits. Our unique combination of payments experience and industry depth enables us to deliver an unprecedented level of integration and customization for your business.”
