Companies that are less than 10 years old are referred to as startups. There are several terms used exclusively for startups. Some of them are listed below.

Unicorn
A startup valued at $1 billion or more and privately owned is called a unicorn startup. India today has over 100 unicorn companies, the third-highest number globally.

Soonicorn
A startup valued between $500 million and $1 billion that is expected to achieve unicorn status soon. Soonicorns are sometimes referred to as half-unicorns.

Cockroach
A startup known for its resilience and ability to survive tough economic conditions, especially during funding winters. Cockroach startups focus more on sustainability than rapid growth, ensuring their longevity.

Bootstrapping
Launching a business using personal savings or revenue without relying on external loans or investments.
Notable companies like Zerodha started through bootstrapping.

Burn Rate
The rate at which a startup spends its cash reserves to cover expenses.
Monitoring the burn rate helps startups manage their runway and avoid running out of funds before becoming profitable.

Pivot
A significant change in a startup’s business model, product focus, or target market to improve its chances of success. Pivots often help startups adapt when their initial ideas fail.

Exit Strategy
A plan for investors to exit a startup, usually through an acquisition or an IPO. Exit strategies are milestones for investors, marking a transition from a startup to a more established company.

Growth Hacking
Creative and cost-effective strategies to gain exposure and rapidly grow a user base. Growth hacking allows startups to improve user acquisition without significant budgets, making it ideal for early-stage companies.