A Beijing-based unicorn released its Kimi K3 large language model, featuring 2.8 trillion parameters and native vision capabilities. The model's performance on certain benchmarks has reportedly closed the AI gap with US counterparts to weeks, while remaining significantly cheaper than American alternatives.
BrainCo has introduced a new platform that allows users to control robots, including humanoid robots and robotic arms, directly with their thoughts. The system uses an EEG headset to capture brain signals, which AI algorithms then decode to translate user intentions into robotic actions, advancing embodied AI development.
Skyroot Aerospace, India's first space tech unicorn, successfully launched its Vikram-1 rocket into Low Earth Orbit from Sriharikota. This makes India the third country with a private orbital launch capability, aiming to offer a "cab service to space" for small satellite payloads.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius scored an unbeaten 102 off 52 balls, including 10 fours and five sixes, to guide San Francisco Unicorns to a nine-wicket victory over MI New York in the Major League Cricket. The win propelled the Unicorns to the top of the points table.
El jugador español Baba Miller, con un alcance de 2,82 metros, fue seleccionado por Los Angeles Clippers en el puesto 36 del draft de la NBA. Miller expresó su felicidad por unirse a la organización y su deseo de iniciar su carrera en la liga.
China saw a significant resurgence in its innovation ecosystem in H1 2026, with 67 new unicorn start-ups created, driven primarily by AI and robotics. This marks the highest growth in nearly five years, though most new unicorns are valued between $1-2 billion, indicating early growth stages.
India and Japan will jointly develop radar-evading antennas for Indian warships, a move signaling increased defense cooperation and potential reduced reliance on the US. The project involves fitting Indian vessels with Japan's Unicorn system.
Even Realities Technology, a Chinese smart glasses startup founded by an ex-Apple executive, has achieved unicorn status after raising $150 million, valuing the company at $1 billion. The funds will support AI integration and global expansion in the burgeoning smart wearables market.
In 2026, a surge in AI investment propelled many startups to unicorn status. Data from Crunchbase and PitchBook reveals a list of VC-backed companies achieving this milestone, with AI-focused firms dominating, but notable exceptions in healthcare and crypto also emerging.
India and Japan have initiated their first defence co-development project, the Naval Radio Antenna 'UNICORN'. This initiative aims to integrate multiple antennas into a single low-observable radome, reducing ship detectability. The project signifies a deepening defence technology partnership between the two nations.
Robinhood launched its "AI-native" Ethereum Layer-2, Robinhood Chain, enabling tokenized stocks for DeFi. Venice AI secured $65M at a $1B valuation, becoming a unicorn. Crypto majors saw significant gains, with SOL up 10%.
Venice AI, founded by Erik Voorhees, has secured $65 million in Series A funding, reaching a $1 billion valuation. The company focuses on privacy-preserving AI interactions, offering a proxy to obscure user data from AI models and plans to use the capital to expand infrastructure and customer base.
Chinese AI firm DeepSeek will double the price for access to its V4 AI models via API during peak hours (9am-12pm, 2pm-6pm Beijing time) to 12 yuan per million output tokens, citing resource distribution and service stability needs.
Former England cricketer Liam Plunkett, 41, debuts for the Oakland Ballers in the Pioneer Baseball League, securing a strikeout in his first game under the 'marketing player' exception.
Die Porsche SE, traditionell Ankeraktionär des VW-Konzerns, plant laut Vorstandschef Hans Dieter Pötsch, sich zu einer diversifizierten Investitionsplattform zu entwickeln. Das Unternehmen will verstärkt in Verteidigungs- und Sicherheitstechnologien investieren und verzeichnet bereits Gewinne aus bestehenden Beteiligungen wie Quantum Systems.
Otomotiv sektörünün teknolojik dönüşümünü hızlandırmak ve mobilite odaklı girişimleri desteklemek amacıyla OİBVenture Mobilite İnovasyon Fonu kuruldu. 75 milyon TL kaynakla başlayan fon, 5 yılda 25 milyon dolara ulaşmayı hedefliyor.
El Consejo de Ministros autorizará una inversión de 107 millones de euros de la SETT en Multiverse Computing, empresa española de IA y computación cuántica. La operación busca consolidar a la 'startup' como un unicornio y potenciar la soberanía estratégica de España y Europa en IA.
Indian tech unicorns are transforming their internal AI tools into independent businesses, inspired by successes like AWS and Slack. Companies like NoBroker, Moglix, Apna, and Practo are leveraging accumulated data and domain expertise to offer AI-powered platforms to external enterprises, creating new revenue streams amid the current AI wave.
Major League Cricket (MLC) returns for its fourth season on June 18, featuring new venues and star players. The LA Knight Riders will debut at the Knight Riders Cricket Field in Pomona, California, which will also host Olympic cricket in 2028. Indian spinner R Ashwin will play for the San Francisco Unicorns, becoming the first ex-India international in MLC.
Bengaluru-based Sarvam has secured $234 million in funding at a $1.5 billion valuation, becoming India's newest AI unicorn. The investment, led by HCLTech, aims to bolster sovereign AI capabilities and develop AI models for Indian languages and use cases.
Hong Kong is injecting over HK$3 billion (US$382.8 million) into 73 university-led research commercialisation projects through the RAISe+ scheme, aiming to transform into a global tech hub. HKUST leads with 19 funded projects.
Hundreds of US startups once valued at $1 billion or more are now considered 'fallen unicorns.' This shift is driven by the rise of AI, particularly ChatGPT, which has rendered older technologies obsolete and inflated valuations unsustainable, leading to a funding crunch.
AgiLink, a Chinese start-up, reaches unicorn status in less than 150 days after completing four funding rounds.
Spain boasts around 450 AI startups. Multiverse Computing, a leader, aims for unicorn status with a €500M round. Cala AI, founded by a former Apple exec, focuses on external data for AI. Openchip seeks to lead Europe's microchip industry, and Biorce uses AI to streamline clinical trials.
