CGHero

What CGHero does

CGHero is a Manchester, UK-based on-demand production platform that connects enterprises with vetted 3D, VFX, animation, digital twin, and immersive content creative talent. Founded in 2016 by Jonathan Lloyd, a former VP at TurboSquid, the company has built a two-sided marketplace of 16,500+ vetted creatives and 325+ partner studios, supported by a Managed Production Services layer for end-to-end project delivery. The platform supports 300+ software tools across the CG/3D production stack and has delivered more than 2,200 projects to a client base of 900+ organizations worldwide, including BBC, Disney, Epic Games, Netflix, Sega, Unilever, NHS, and Ford, spanning film & TV, games, architecture, automotive, fashion, and retail verticals.

The company operates a hybrid revenue model. The core marketplace monetizes through project-based, quote-based engagements with day-rate transparency for individual talent (rates displayed between $30 and $320 per day), suggesting marketplace take rates on talent matching. The Managed Production Services layer extends the offering into end-to-end project management with escrow and IP transfer handling, capturing additional margin and increasing client switching costs. The platform's go-to-market is anchored by enterprise relationships (publicly named logos) combined with a long tail of SMB and mid-market clients.

With a headcount of 11-50, CGHero has raised approximately $6.5M cumulatively, including a $1.1M seed, a $5.2M Series A led by Beringea in April 2022, a $150K Epic MegaGrant in May 2021, and several smaller rounds. The company expanded inorganically with the April 2024 acquisition of Peris Digital, maintains a US presence indicated by a +1 phone number, and is positioned in the digital twins, simulation, and immersive content segments in addition to traditional CG production.

Name

CGHero

Legal name

CG HERO LTD

Website

https://cghero.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CGHero is a UK-based on-demand production platform connecting enterprises with vetted 3D, VFX, animation, and digital twin creatives. Founded in 2016, it serves 900+ clients globally across film, games, automotive, retail, and architecture.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

3D and VFX Production Marketplace

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

3D/CGI Animation Production (MPADACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Virtual Production & LED Volume Services (Stage Ops, ICVFX, Real-Time Camera/Tracking) (MPADAHAB), Cloud & Distributed Real-Time Production (Remote ICVFX, Multi-site) (MPAHADAJ)

Keywords

• 3D production services
• VFX production outsourcing
• Creative talent marketplace
• Animation production services
• Digital twin creation

Headquarters

HQ city

Manchester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Project-Based Creative Services: Clients pay for 3D, VFX, animation, digital twins, and immersive production projects on a per-project basis. Clients submit project briefs, receive quotes from freelancers/studios, and fund projects through the platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CGHero operates an online co-creation marketplace and managed production platform that connects companies with a global network of 16,500+ vetted freelance 3D artists, VFX professionals, animators, and 325+ studios for outsourced 3D, VFX, animation, digital twin, and immersive content projects. The platform handles project scoping, KYC/AML onboarding, milestone tracking, escrow payment, and IP/copyright transfer, and is complemented by fully managed production services with dedicated account managers and QA teams.

Product overview

CGHero is a freelance marketplace and managed production platform for 3D, VFX, animation, digital twins, and immersive content. The core offering is the CGHERO Platform, a purpose-built co-creation marketplace that connects companies with over 15,000 vetted freelance creatives and 325+ studios worldwide. The platform is complemented by Managed Production Services that handle project coordination, KYC/AML onboarding, milestone tracking, timesheets, and payment processing. Service offerings span 3D Production, VFX Production, Animation Production, Digital Twins, and Immersive Content, serving industries including Architecture, Automotive, Fashion, Film & TV, Games, and Retail. The company also offers specialized services like Metaverse Content Creation and supports projects across 300+ industry software tools including Unreal Engine, Unity, Blender, Maya, and ZBrush.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CGHero Platform A purpose-built co-creation platform that brings industry-vetted freelance creatives into focused, production-ready strike teams. The platform manages onboarding KYC/AML, project milestones, timesheets, and payments, and is for studios and enterprise clients seeking on-demand 3D, VFX, animation, and immersive production capacity.
• Managed Production Services Fully managed production service with a dedicated account manager and quality assurance team assigned to the project, handling the entire production pipeline from concept through to post-production delivery. For enterprise clients requiring comprehensive project support beyond the self-serve marketplace.
• Film & TV VFX and Post-Production Services VFX, compositing, animation, lighting and shading, and motion graphics production services for film and television projects, including work on tentpole streaming productions. For film studios, TV production companies, and VFX houses needing production augmentation.
• Game Art Production Services Outsourced game art production including 2D and 3D character design, environment art, creatures, props, vehicles, weapons, and game-ready assets. For game studios needing flexible art capacity between major releases.
• 3D Architectural Visualization Services 3D architectural visualization services including photorealistic renders, walkthroughs, and VR experiences for architecture and real estate projects. For architectural firms and real estate developers needing marketing and design-stage visualization.
• Automotive 3D/CGI Services Automotive interior and exterior 3D CGI rendering for marketing, configurators, product launches, and advertising, including game-ready 3D vehicle assets. For automotive manufacturers and brands.
• Fashion 3D/CGI Services Fashion 3D CGI visuals including garment visualization, accessories, and full-look presentations for ecommerce, lookbooks, and marketing campaigns. For fashion brands and retailers.
• Retail 3D/CGI Services 3D retail visuals including product renders, 360-degree views, and animated content for ecommerce and marketing. For retailers and consumer brands needing scalable product imagery.
• Metaverse and Immersive Content Creation Production of content for the metaverse and virtual worlds, including augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), digital environments, and immersive experiences. For technology companies and enterprises exploring digital twins and immersive experiences.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hiring timelines reduced from weeks to days
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers22 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• TafiminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 July 2021Collaboration between CGHero and Tafi for 3D content and avatar creation services.
• TurboSquidcoreTechnology or Integration · 3 October 2017Strategic partnership to provide custom 3D modeling services. TurboSquid is a leading 3D content marketplace. CGHero founder Jonathan Lloyd was formerly VP at TurboSquid.
• UKIEminorOthersIndustry membership for UK gaming and interactive entertainment industry
• TIGAminorOthersIndustry membership for UK games industry trade association
• IGDAminorOthersIndustry membership for International Game Developers Association

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• DNEG: Global VFX and post-production house serving major film, episodic, and game clients. Comparable end customers (Netflix, Disney-tier studios) and overlapping VFX/3D production capabilities, though DNEG operates primarily with in-house teams rather than a marketplace model.

Direct peers

• Keywords Studios: Largest publicly listed games and VFX outsourcing services provider, offering art production, VFX, and localisation to studios and game publishers — directly comparable to CGHero's game art and Film & TV production offerings (CGHero even names Keywords Studios as a customer).
• TurboSquid: Long-established 3D content marketplace and CGHero's strategic partner. Highly comparable supply-side model and customer base, with CGHero's founder a former TurboSquid VP and the two companies commercially integrated.
• CGTrader: Marketplace for 3D models and digital assets where studios and brands can commission custom 3D work. Closely mirrors CGHero's 3D production and asset creation model, with overlapping freelance supply and customer bases.
• ArtStation (Epic Games): Leading online community and marketplace for 3D, VFX, and game artists, owned by Epic Games. Directly comparable as a place where buyers discover and hire creative talent, and strategically adjacent via Epic's MegaGrant relationship with CGHero.

Broad incumbents

• Fiverr: Large public freelance marketplace with a meaningful creative, 3D, and animation services category. Competes for the same mid-market creative services buyers and represents the price-sensitive baseline CGHero must position above.
• The Mill: Global VFX, design, and content production studio serving advertising, film, and immersive clients. Comparable production services and a similar enterprise client mix (Unilever-tier brands, automotive, entertainment) though operating with in-house capacity.
• Upwork: Largest open freelance talent marketplace, including a substantial 3D/animation and design category. Overlaps with CGHero on buyer side and on the supply side for generalist creative freelancers.
• Framestore: Premier global VFX and immersive content studio working with major film, advertising, and immersive clients. Overlaps with CGHero's VFX, digital twin, and immersive service lines, though at a much larger scale and with in-house production capacity.

Emerging players

• Tafi: 3D content and avatar creation company that has co-developed content with CGHero (2021 partnership). Comparable in delivering custom 3D assets, with an emerging presence in digital humans and metaverse content.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cgherofreelance
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@cgheroofficial
• Facebookfacebook.com/cgherofreelance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/15075216
• Instagraminstagram.com/cgherofreelance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds7 records

Investors7 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CGHero