10 most valuable European startups in 2020

In September 2020, CB Insights has listed more than 400 unicorns in the world. A unicorn is a startup that has a valuation that is over $1 billion. With most of them located in United States (237) and China (186), Europe is trying to catch up. The United Kingdom is leading the way with 26 unicorns. Germany (7) and France (7) are following with the most unicorns located in Europe. Europeans unicorns are mostly in the fintech industry like the well known Revolut and N26 that are competing against traditional banking and financial institutions with innovation and technology. Here is the full ranking of the biggest unicorns in Europe:

1. Global Switch ($11.1B) – Hardware

Global Switch own and operate around 3,000,000 sq ft (278,700 sq m) of exceptional, wholesale and multi tenanted, carrier neutral data centre space across Europe and Asia-Pacific. Established in 1998 their longevity in the market place and impressive track record prove they deliver best in class solutions.

➜ Founded Year: 1998 / HQ Location: London, United Kingdom

2. Checkout.com ($5.5B) – Fintech

Checkout.com provides fintech companies with a cross-border payment solution for digital commerce. The business offers direct access to domestic acquiring across payment methods and geographies, including all major credit and debit cards, online banking, PayPal, Apple Pay and other eWallets. This is achieved through a unified integrated platform.

➜ Founded Year: 2012 / HQ Location: London, United Kingdom

3. Klarna. ($5.5B) – Fintech

Klarna is an e-commerce payment solutions platform for merchants and shoppers. The platform gives customers the freedom to choose how and when to pay. They also offers direct payments, pay after delivery options, and installment plans.

➜ Founded: 2005 / HQ Location: Stockholm, Sweden

4. Revolut ($5.5B) – Fintech

Revolut is a financial services company that specializes in mobile banking, card payments, money remittance, and foreign exchange. It includes a pre-paid debit card, currency exchange, and peer-to-peer payments. It is on a mission to build a fair and frictionless platform to use and manage money around the world.

➜ Founded: 2015 / HQ Location: London, United Kingdom

5. TransferWise ($5B) – Fintech

TransferWise provides a core money transfer product, along with a borderless account for its audience of expats, freelancers, and travelers, which holds over £2 billion in current deposits.

• • • Founded: 2011 / HQ Location: London, United Kingdom

6. Arrival ($3.9B) – Auto & transportation

Arrival develops solutions for cities that help them meet sustainability targets and create elevated transportation experiences for their citizens. This Integrated Transportation Ecosystem includes buses, vans, car sharing, taxis, delivery robots, charging infrastructure, Microfactories and digital services.

• • • Founded: 2015 / HQ Location: London, United Kingdom

7. Auto1 Group ($3.5B) – E-commerce & direct-to-consumer

AUTO1 Group is a used-car marketplace with its own certified and diversified inventory and a technology platform that allows buyers and sellers. AUTO1 is aimed primarily at the used car trade.

• • • Founded: 2012 / HQ Location: Berlin, Germany

8. Ottobock Healthcare ($3.5B) – Health

• • • Founded: 1919 / HQ Location: Duderstadt, Germany

9. N26 ($3.5B) – Fintech

N26 offers mobile banking solutions to customers in the European Union through its subsidiary. It provides international money transfer, investment, overdraft, and cash withdrawal and deposit at stores.

• • • Founded: 2013 / HQ Location: Berlin, Germany

10. Greensill ($3.5B) – Fintech

Reformer at heart, Greensill challenges the status quo by working to make global finance fairer and leveling the playing field for all businesses and people alike. The company unlocks capital so the world can put it to work.

• • • Founded: 2011 / HQ Location: London, United Kingdom

If you want to know more about the data used, you can visit cbinsights.com