In February 2024, there were 1,233 unicorn startups worldwide, with a total value of $3.8 trillion. Technology businesses are the leaders, with 31% of unicorn startups and totaling 1.1 trillion dollars. Companies like Facebook and Google have already been part of this group. Today, the financial services and retail trade sectors remain at 17% each. Considering that startups are private companies and their value comes from internal stock assessments, how can human characteristics assist in this valuation?
According toBia Nobrega, specialist in Human and Organizational Development with nearly 30 years of experience, in a world where innovation and entrepreneurship are the keys to success, understanding the factors that turn startups into unicorns is essential. "After four days of study and four days of tourism in Israel, I proved that there, a land poor in natural resources, the greatest source of wealth on the planet was discovered: human capital!" he says.
She questions how a country with only 22,000 square kilometers, founded in 1948, with very scarce natural resources and in a constant state of military conflict, managed to become the nation that, according to various global indicators, stands out the most in innovation and entrepreneurship. "Because of the people who live there," he completes.
The specialist identifies several ingredients of this recipe, observed during their trip, that can be applied globally to transform startups into unicorns. Among them, diversity, entrepreneurship, and multiculturalism brought by immigrants stand out. The survival mindset, developed in an environment of constant challenges, is another key factor.
“Audacity and self-confidence, known as Hutzpa, allow us to question, test and even break rules, always daring!” he says. Opinion and informality are striking characteristics, with a culture where everyone has a voice and actively participates in discussions. Improvisation and the certainty that “YIHYEH BESEDER” (“Everything Will Be Alright”) reinforce the resilience of entrepreneurs.
Furthermore, the culture of networking favors exchanges, meetings, and opportunities, while competitiveness is encouraged from an early age. In Israel, with the "Start-up Nation," young people undergoing mandatory military service develop critical skills for business success, such as the ability to make quick decisions in complex and risky scenarios, and building trust and collaborative relationships.
"If the squad partner can turn their startup into a unicorn, why couldn't she or he?" he questions, highlighting the importance of trust and team spirit. This business environment promotes direct and straightforward communication, discipline without blind obedience, hard work combined with fun, acceptance of failure as part of the process without destructive criticism, and constant ambition.
