These billion-dollar startups didn't exist 5 years ago

AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

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.

Gusto: $1.07 billion

Founded in November 2011, Gusto is a cloud-based payroll system, formerly known as ZenPayroll.

Uptake Technologies: $1.10 billion

Former Groupon founder Brad Keywell started the secretive Chicago-based data-analytics startup in 2014.

Udacity: $1.10 billion

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.