It doesn't take a lifetime to build a super-valuable company. As this list shows, it's possible to go from zero to $16 billion in valuation in under five years.
Business Insider analyzed Pitchbook data to find the startups based in the US who reached the $1 billion mark in that timeframe — in other words, the youngest crop of the "unicorn" companies.
Here are the 17 privately held startups that have created businesses worth more than a billion dollars in the past five years.
Founded in November 2011, Gusto is a cloud-based payroll system, formerly known as ZenPayroll.
Former Groupon founder Brad Keywell started the secretive Chicago-based data-analytics startup in 2014.
Udacity launched in February 2012 to provide free classes online. It has since teamed up with Georgia Tech to offer a master's program through the online education portal.
