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Unicorn

Technical Finance Buzzword Finance

A startup valued over $1 billion — rare when coined, then herd-like during cheap money, now rare again. Also: a candidate with an impossible combination of skills, per every job description.

Heard in the wild

“The listing wants a unicorn: PE license, coding skills, and 'reasonable salary expectations.'”

Tone check: Technical

Both meanings imply mythical rarity. The valuation kind occasionally turns out to be a horse in party costume.

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