Entities

Companies with fewer than 50 employees in earlier development phases — typically pre-revenue or early-revenue, seeking product-market fit, and funded by angels, VCs, or accelerators.

Organisations in growth phases typically showing increased revenue and exceeding 50 employees. The startup has achieved initial product-market fit and is now rapidly scaling operations, team, and go-to-market.

An established business that is not startup-stage but also not a large enterprise. Generally defined by employee headcount (under 250 in the EU) or annual turnover. SMEs may or may not be technology companies.

Companies founded after 1990 that have made investments in other companies. Large-scale enterprises that appear on Dealroom when relevant to the innovation ecosystem — as acquirers, CVC investors, or strategic partners to startups.

Companies with known backing from PEs, VCs, angels, grants, or accelerator/university affiliation. The broadest funded category — if any external financial support can be verified, the company is considered funded.

Organisations receiving venture-style equity backing from venture capital or private equity firms — with formal ownership stakes and active investor involvement. The most recognised form of startup funding.

Companies without venture-style equity from VC/PE, but potentially backed by post-IPO equity, growth capital, or public funding. These companies have external support but not through the traditional VC route.

Self-funded or bootstrapped organisations with no external backing from investors, grants, or accelerators. Growing entirely on their own revenues — a path chosen by many profitable businesses that prefer to remain independent.

A privately held startup valued at $1 billion or more. The term was coined by investor Aileen Lee in 2013. Dealroom maintains a live Unicorn tracker with valuations drawn from disclosed rounds and secondary market data.

A privately held startup valued at $10 billion or more. A subset of unicorns. A relatively rare milestone — Dealroom tracks dozens globally.

A privately held startup valued at $100 billion or more. Extremely rare — only a handful of companies have reached this threshold while remaining private.

A company that achieved a $1B+ valuation in a prior funding round but whose implied valuation has since declined significantly — via a down round or marked-down secondary valuations. Still tracked on Dealroom but flagged where data is available.

A Dealroom designation for high-potential companies identified as likely future unicorn candidates based on growth signals, funding trajectory, team quality, and market opportunity — before reaching the $1B valuation threshold.

An entity or individual investing capital in companies — including VC funds, PE firms, angel investors, family offices, and corporate venture arms. Investors have their own profiles on Dealroom with portfolio views and investment activity.

Academic institutions tracked for their role in the startup ecosystem — as founders of spinout companies, recipients of R&D investment, and sources of talent and intellectual property. Dealroom tracks university spinouts and alumni companies.

National, regional, or municipal government agencies and publicly funded institutions. Relevant on Dealroom when acting as investors (via grant programmes or co-investment funds), partners to startups, or procurement customers.

Non-governmental organisations and not-for-profit entities relevant to the innovation ecosystem. Appear on Dealroom when they invest in or closely partner with startups, particularly in the impact and social enterprise space.

Companies offering project-based services to the startup ecosystem — including consulting, digital services, financial advisory, legal support, and recruitment. Not product companies, but integral parts of the innovation stack.

Special Purpose Acquisition Companies — shell corporations listed on a stock exchange with the purpose of acquiring or merging with a private company to take it public. An alternative route to IPO that became particularly prominent in 2020–21.

Equity crowdfunding platforms and campaigns that allow a large number of retail investors to back early-stage companies in exchange for equity. Tracked on Dealroom as a distinct funding type and entity category.

Investment vehicles pooling capital from multiple investors for collective deployment into companies. Covers venture, private equity, growth, life sciences, renewables, and corporate fund categories newly launched and tracked on Dealroom.

Companies providing working environments for startups and scaleups — including coworking spaces, innovation hubs, and incubator facilities. Often closely linked to the broader startup ecosystem as community anchors.

Individual profiles on Dealroom — angels, founders, employees, users, and individual angel investors. People profiles connect to their associated companies and investment activity, helping map the human network behind the ecosystem.