Forbes' 'Next Billion-Dollar Startups' List Leverages Visual Assets for Enhanced Influence, Boasting 58% Unicorn Success Rate

Ashley Mayer, co-founder and General Partner at Coalition Operators, recently highlighted Forbes' strategic use of highly shareable visual "covers" for its "Next Billion-Dollar Startups" list. She stated in her tweet, > "It’s fun to see traditional media get smarter about creating shareable assets — the “covers” for the @Forbes Next Billion Dollar Startups list are a great example." Mayer observed that these compelling images significantly amplify the list's reach and influence, surpassing the engagement typically garnered by the source articles alone. This innovative approach reflects a growing trend in media to maximize digital impact.

The "Forbes Next Billion-Dollar Startups" list, compiled annually in partnership with TrueBridge Capital Partners, identifies 25 U.S.-based, privately held, and venture-backed companies poised to achieve a $1 billion valuation. Over its decade-long history, the list has demonstrated remarkable accuracy, with 58% of its 225 alumni successfully becoming unicorns, including prominent firms like DoorDash and Figma. The 2025 iteration of the list notably features a strong dominance of artificial intelligence companies, reflecting current venture capital trends.

Ashley Mayer brings a wealth of experience in strategic communications and venture capital to her analysis. Prior to co-founding Coalition Operators, where she invests in early-stage founders and advocates for diverse representation on cap tables, Mayer held leadership roles at companies such as Box, Social Capital, and Glossier. Her background provides a nuanced understanding of how effective communication and brand visibility impact startup growth and market perception.

Mayer's tweet underscores the evolving landscape of digital content consumption, where visually engaging elements are crucial for capturing attention and encouraging dissemination. The "covers" she references are designed to be easily shared across social media platforms, transforming a traditional editorial product into a viral asset. She further noted that, > "Way more people will share, see and be influenced by that image than will ever interact with the source article."

For the startups featured, this heightened visual exposure translates into invaluable brand recognition and increased visibility within the competitive tech ecosystem. Such widespread awareness can be instrumental in attracting top talent, securing further investment, and reaching potential customers. While Mayer also added that, > "(Monetization tbd.)," the immediate benefits in terms of influence and market presence are undeniable for both the publication and the highlighted companies.