The term “unicorn” has been around for nearly a decade, used to describe privately owned startups valued at over $1 billion.
But, as the world grapples with climate change, a new term has emerged in the startup and investment community: the gigacorn. Unlike unicorns, which are measured purely by valuation, gigacorns are defined by their potential to make a massive environmental impact, specifically through reducing or removing one gigaton of CO₂ emissions per year.
The Scale of a Gigacorn
To put a gigaton into perspective, global annual CO₂ emissions are roughly 36-37 gigatons. A company capable of mitigating a single gigaton would be taking on an enormous slice of the planet’s total carbon output. This makes the gigacorn a particularly ambitious goal. It’s not just about having a great product or service – it’s about creating a solution that scales on a global level and delivers measurable climate impact while remaining commercially viable.
This focus on climate impact represents a shift in how investors think about success. Traditional venture capital often prioritises rapid growth and profitability, but gigacorn hunters are evaluating startups through a lens of planetary significance.
These companies aim to prove that addressing climate challenges can go hand in hand with financial success, opening a new frontier for both entrepreneurship and investment.
Which Sectors Have Promising Gigacorn Potential?
So far, no company has officially reached gigacorn status, though a number are pursuing it. Potential gigacorns often emerge in industries responsible for the largest carbon emissions, including electricity production, transportation, food and agriculture and construction materials. Examples include lab-grown meat companies, sustainable cement manufacturers, advanced battery technologies and urban infrastructure solutions that reduce energy consumption.
Investors hunting for gigacorns, like the VC firm 2150.VC, are developing frameworks to evaluate startups not only on profitability but also on tangible environmental outcomes. Metrics such as tonnes of CO₂ mitigated, water saved or waste upcycled can all be tracked and reported, helping investors compare companies based on real-world impact rather than projections alone.
Why Are Gigacorns Important?
The gigacorn concept highlights an important evolution in the startup ecosystem. It’s a recognition that the next generation of high-value companies may not just be the ones generating financial returns, but the ones tackling humanity’s biggest challenges.
By setting a bold benchmark, the gigacorn encourages entrepreneurs to think bigger and aim for solutions that can scale globally, beyond the usual market-focused metrics.
For founders, aspiring to gigacorn status is both a challenge and an opportunity. It signals to investors, partners and customers that the company is serious about meaningful, measurable impact. And for investors, gigacorns represent a chance to be part of a portfolio that aligns financial growth with climate responsibility.
As climate concerns continue to influence business decisions, the gigacorn could become as recognised and sought-after as the unicorn once was.
And, while no company has yet achieved this lofty goal, the hunt is well underway, signalling a new era where sustainability and scale are inseparable.
