SprinklrKochi: US company 'Sprinklr' which has a controversial image in Kerala, has been included in the list of best startup firms in the world. The LDF government in Kerala had appointed Sprinklr for data analysis as part of COVID resistance activities but later withdrew the company following controversies.

The allegations regarding data privacy and leaking resulted in the exclusion of Sprinklr from the COVID resistance here. Now, the startup initiated by a Keralite has been included in the unicorn index published the Hurun Research Institute. The index lists the most valuable startups in the world that has a value of over 1 billion dollars (over Rs 7500 crore).

Sprinklr started under the leadership of Ragi Thomas, a Keralite, is in the 169th spot in the list with a value of 200 crore dollars (Rs 15,000 crore). The company headquartered in New York was started in 2009. Multinational companies like Intel, Temasek and Iconiq Capital have invested in Sprinklr. Also global brands like Microsift, Nyke and McDonalds use the service of Sprinklr.

Other startups by Malayalis include 'Byjus', the educational technology app by Byju Raveendran and 'BigBasket', the online grocery store by Hari Menon. Among the 586 unicorns in the list, 61 are Indian ventures, said Anas Rahman Junaid, the chief researcher and MD (India) of Hurun Reports.

Unicorn

The unicorn is a startup company with a value of over 1 billion dollars and not listed in stock exchange. The term is derived from the Greek mythological character of unicorn, a horse with a single horn on its forehead. It symbolizes prosperity and wealth.