China Records Most New Unicorn Startups in 5 Years as AI and Robotics Boom

China's innovation ecosystem has seen a resurgence, with 67 new unicorn startups created in the first half of 2026—the highest number in nearly five years, driven by AI and robotics. This averages one new unicorn every three days, the fastest pace since the second half of 2021 when 76 were created, according to a report by ITJuzi. Over 53% of the new unicorns are concentrated in AI and robotics, contrasting with the 2021-2022 cycle that spanned multiple sectors like new-energy vehicles, biomedicine, and online consumer businesses. However, 78% of the new unicorns are valued between $1 billion and $2 billion, indicating early-stage growth, with no companies in the $5-$10 billion bracket.