Chasing Unicorns into the Sharing Economy

With Uber being valued at $66 Billion, it's the most valuable private company in the world. Meanwhile, it was announced, Airbnb, recently raised $1 Billion to boost it's valuation to $30 billion. Here is a list of over 720 sharing economy startups. 

Affluent young Millennials it turns out are the consumers most familiar with mainstream names of the on-demand and sharing economy, with most Americans not even using them and many not knowing what they are. Just forget rumors of "dead unicorns" and IPO standoffs for a minute. 

Sure, 2016 has been one of those "dry years for Unicorns", with only 38 companies having gone public this year, down more than 50% compared to last year, according to Renaissance Capital. 

Climate of IPO Purgatory and Cautious Unicorns 

You can't really call it an IPO bust year yet, being an election year, shiny Unicorns are at the starter's block such as Uber, Snapchat and AirBNB. Unicorns, companies with a valuation of $1 billion or more, are no longer the rare creatures they once were. 

With mobile technology and fresh ideas, a disruption culture is forming that is sure to make this just the beginning for the sharing economy. To say that Unicorns have been IPO shy is one way of putting it lately.

Venture Capitalism as a Spectator Sport 

For a venture capital enthusiast like me, the list of Unicorns is an endlessly fascinating escapade of tech company watching. When will they go IPO? 

Which ride sharing company can scale to compete with Uber? What is the next big new thing?

When you realize China has 4 of the top 10 Unicorns currently, you recognize just what an important market China truly is.

Many Unicorns Represent and Cater to Millennial Preferences

Slack, WeWork, Lyft, Airbnb - the world is changing and it has a Millennial flavor. Collaborate, share, flexibly, immerse yourself as a global citizen. 

Collaborate, share, flexibly, immerse yourself as a global citizen

Indeed there's a culture that these Unicorns represent, real values in a transforming world. Social movements of new ways of doing things are embodied by each solution, as wave after wave of seamlessness & convenience hits us, like a society rushing into the cloud, into mobile, into a more connected and increasing attuned world. 

Yes, a more omnichannel, integrated and unified reality, but also maybe a more communal, peer to peer and mobile friendly digital universe that's not only about convenience but about building better connections. 

Disruption always on the Horizon 

That's what's great about being involved with technology these days, there's a feeling that things like Snapchat, FinTech and soon VR, are changing how the world relates to itself. Disruption is exciting when mainstream movements circumvent more traditional institutions, like what FinTech is doing and can potentially do to Banks. How blockchain, 3D printing, VR and biotech will fundamentally change how we live. 

There's a sense that too with the rise of Asian, mostly Chinese and Indian unicorns, we are starting to see a shift that is occurring. The huge potential of Millennials in Asia will soon be heard and catered to more. These are like a descendant prophecy, and even, the true heirs of the sharing economy.  

Indeed, trying to figure out WHICH unicorns will go public first is quite a fun challenge.  Shopify, FitBit, Etsy, these are brands I cherish and love, almost like friends I am growing up with, who went IPO in 2015. 

This is a new world, like the establishment of corporations that might have lasting futures and influence upon us. Will Millennial Moms get to go public with Pinterest, where it's said of the 100 million active users, 85% are women. 

The Experience Economy 

From Houzz to Warby Parker, there's a lot to love about these up and coming companies. They make our world better, richer not just in terms of profits, but in terms of experience, immersion and service. It's a heart warming moment for me when I recognize the true colors of these unicorns and I read about their stories. From a Pinterest moment to a FitBit vibration, these are memories of our common experience. 

They make our world better, richer not just in terms of profits, but in terms of experience

The class of 2016 IPOs looks quite bright, and they many of them may hit the finish line together. Here are 15 apps that puts the heart into the "sharing" of the sharing economy. 

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