The first half of 2025 has seen at least 36 new tech startups achieve unicorn status, driven largely by surging investor enthusiasm for AI. According to TechCrunch, leveraging data from Crunchbase and PitchBook, the bulk of these billion-dollar valuations stem from companies operating in AI-related domains—including foundational model builders, AI agents, and healthcare AI startups. However, unicorns have also emerged in industries as diverse as robotics (Gecko), sports tech (Teamworks), restaurant marketing (Owner), and even probiotic beverages (Olipop). Notably, Thinking Machines, an AI research firm founded by OpenAI alum Mira Murati, reached a $10 billion valuation after a $2 billion seed round, underscoring the dramatic pace and scale of AI investment.
Among this elite group is Hippocratic AI, which has rapidly gained prominence in the healthcare AI vertical. Founded in 2023, the company reached a $1.64 billion valuation after closing a $141 million Series B round in January 2025. Backed by Kleiner Perkins, the company develops large language models specifically tailored for healthcare use cases—emphasizing safety, empathy, and scalability. Hippocratic AI’s unicorn status highlights the increasing investor focus on sector-specific AI with real-world application potential. Alongside peers like Abridge and Function, Hippocratic AI represents the growing demand for AI tools that can streamline clinical workflows, enhance patient engagement, and support the healthcare industry’s shift toward digital, value-based care models.