Glossary & definition­s

Here’s a guide to some of the key terms used across Dealroom research and in the data platform.

Companies


Startup

“A startup is a company designed to search for a repeatable and scalable business model with the primary focus to grow fast”. – Read more

Unicorn (& $1B+ exits)

A tech company founded since 1990, that is currently valued, or previously exited at over $1B. – Read more

Decacorn

A $10B+ valued tech company

Centicorn

A $100B+ valued tech company. 

Colt

A startup with $25M-$100M annual revenue.

Thoroughbred

A startup with $100M+ annual revenue.

Spinout

Companies developed from technology/IP originating at universities or research centres. (excludes corporate spin-offs).

Funding stages


  • Startup stage: Companies with under $15M total funding. 
  • Breakout stage: Companies with $15M-$100M total funding.
  • Scaleup stage: Companies with $100M+ total funding.

Bootstrapped

Companies built without external equity funding, growth funded via revenue generation or debt.

Valuations


Enterprise Value

The (combined) Enterprise Value of an ecosystem is the sum of all the valuations of startups in that specific ecosystem. This is a combination of private company valuations based on most recent VC rounds (which is either announced or estimated by Dealroom based on benchmarks), realized exit value, or publicly disclosed valuations, and public company enterprise value. Enterprise Value Growth is the change in this combined enterprise value of the ecosystem over a given period.

Pre-money valuation

Company value at the point of a new investment round.

Post-money valuation

Company value after new investment round (pre-money + new investment).

Multiples

Valuation ratios used to compare companies (e.g., EV/Revenue, EV/EBITDA). – Read more

Taxonomy


Industries/Sectors

Broad market segments (e.g., Health, Fintech, Energy). Dealroom has a fixed 32 industry taxonomy. Companies can be assigned up to two industries. – Read more

Sub-sectors

Each industry has corresponding sub-sectors. E.g. sub-sectors of Energy include: Clean Energy, Oil & gas, Energy Efficiency, Energy Providers, Waste Solutions, Water, Energy Storage. – Read more

Technologies

Technologies applied by innovative companies across diverse industries, e.g. AI, blockchain, AR/VR, quantum technologies.

Deep tech

Novel scientific or engineering breakthroughs making their way into products and companies for the first time. – Read more 

Impact

Companies focused on positive social or environmental outcomes alongside financial returns, aligned with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. – Read more

Climate tech

Companies using technology to address climate change and environmental challenges. – Read more


 

Find more definitions in the Dealroom Knowledge Base, or get in touch to discuss definitions.