Ancient Indian legends talk of a nimble, fleet-footed mythological horse-like creature called the ekashringa, or unicorn, taking its name from the single horn on its forehead. The horn, if you drank from it, was said to have magical healing properties. Meanwhile, in the jungle that is today’s business environment, unicorns—defined as technology-driven, disruptive, privately-owned start-up companies valued at over $1 billion (Rs 7,430 crore)—have shown a rare immunity against the waves of the Covid-19 pandemic that have brought most other businesses down to their knees. In 2021, amidst a debilitating Second Wave, India acquired 11 new unicorns, taking the total to 48, the third largest number in the world, after the US and China.
Leading the pack is Byju’s, a Bengaluru-based edtech firm founded by Byju Raveendran, 40, and Divya…
