Despite IPO flameouts, 2019 sets record for US unicorn births Updated : December 19, 2019 12:35 PM IST The surge in the number of new unicorns is mostly due to the record amounts of venture capital being put to work. So far this year 66 venture capital-backed unicorns were minted in the United States versus 58 in 2018. Published : December 19, 2019 12:35 PM IST