Trojan Horse was a Unicorn

What Trojan Horse was a Unicorn does

Trojan Horse was a Unicorn (THU) is a private, founder-led community platform and event business founded in 2013 and headquartered in Póvoa De Varzim, Portugal, that connects creative-industry professionals with studios, sponsors, and learning opportunities across 180 countries. The company operates an integrated stack combining the THU Platform — an all-in-one digital ecosystem featuring Spaces (company and personal pages), a Jobs & Talent Marketplace with skills and reputation verification, an Innovation Lab for branded challenges and crowdfunding, and a Skill Hub for mentorship and learning — with a calendar of in-person and online events, including the flagship annual six-day THU Main Event in Troia, Portugal; the THU Storytelling bootcamp in Kaga City, Japan; the Creators Circle entrepreneurship bootcamp; the Career Camp online program; and vertical-focused online events covering iGaming (iGaming Lab), Sound & Music, and Digital Health. Mobile apps on iOS and Android, a blog, newsletters, and Discord community extend the platform beyond events.

The business generates revenue through a diversified mix: per-session and packaged 1:1 mentorship (€30-€400 per session or package); event ticket sales (including installment payment for the Main Event); paid business accounts and recruitment marketplace access for studios; branded innovation challenges and sponsorships (Mercedes-Benz Golden Ticket, Sony Talent League, King Mentorship Program, Mastercard Creators Circle); and emerging innovation/entrepreneurship programming such as Pitch Days and the Talent League accelerator. Customer segments span individual creative professionals (art directors, concept artists, animators, game designers, writers, illustrators), digital entertainment studios (animation, VFX, gaming, iGaming), aspiring entrepreneurs, students and emerging talent, and brand partners. No parent company, external funding rounds, or institutional investors are disclosed in the source material, and the company is led by co-founder and CEO Andre Luis.

The platform is described as 'almost Beta' across multiple sources, indicating ongoing product development, while the event business has run consistently for 11 consecutive years (2013-2026), supporting a marquee client roster including Illumination, ILM, Blizzard, Playground Games, Supercell, Sony Pictures Animation, Crytek, Cinesite, DNEG Animation, Skydance Animation, Netflix, Mastercard, Mercedes-Benz, Sony, and King.

Name

Trojan Horse was a Unicorn

Legal name

Trojan Horse was a Unicorn

Website

https://trojan-unicorn.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Trojan Horse was a Unicorn is a Portugal-based private platform and event company, founded in 2013, that connects 36,000+ creative-industry professionals across 180 countries with studios, mentors, and sponsors via its digital platform and annual events like the THU Main Event in Troia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Creative Industry Community Platform

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Virtual Event Registration, Ticketing & Access Control (Authentication, Paywalls, Badging) (THAHAOAI)

Keywords

• Creative industry platform
• Talent marketplace
• Event management services
• Digital entertainment community
• Mentorship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Póvoa De Varzim

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Mentorship Sessions: Individual 1:1 mentorship sessions between industry experts and aspiring creatives, priced per session or as multi-session packages (e.g., €30-€100 per single session, €280-€400 for 6-session packages).
2. Event Tickets: Revenue from ticket sales for in-person events (THU Main Event, THU 2026 at €XXX) and online events (iGaming Lab, Sound & Music, Digital Health on-demand content).
3. Talent Recruitment Services: Companies pay for business accounts to post job openings, access verified creative talent pools, and use hiring tools on the platform.
4. Innovation Challenges & Sponsorships: Branded challenges and open calls for companies (e.g., Mercedes-Benz Golden Ticket, Sony Talent League) providing sponsorship revenue and investment into the platform ecosystem.
5. Platform Business Accounts: Paid business accounts for companies to create profiles, showcase culture, share updates, and manage team access with additional features during beta.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Trojan Horse was a Unicorn (THU) operates the THU Platform, an all-in-one digital ecosystem for the global creative industries that connects creative professionals with studios, jobs, mentorships, learning content, and innovation challenges. The platform is complemented by recurring events including the annual THU Main Event in Troia, Portugal, online events (iGaming Lab, Sound & Music, Digital Health), bootcamps (Career Camp, Creators Circle, Storytelling), accelerator programs (Talent League, Pitch Days), and branded art challenges (Golden Ticket with Mercedes-Benz).

Product overview

THU (Trojan Horse was a Unicorn) operates as a platform-plus-events model for the global creative industries. The core is the THU Platform (all-in-one digital ecosystem for career development, innovation, and entrepreneurship) supplemented by numerous events and programs: the annual THU Main Event in Troia, Portugal; online events including iGaming Lab, Sound & Music, Digital Health, and Career Camp; bootcamps including THU Storytelling (Japan) and Creators Circle; accelerator programs including Talent League and Pitch Days; art challenges including Golden Ticket with Mercedes-Benz; mentorship through Guidance Sessions; and collaborative projects like the Everlasting short film. The platform also supports the 36,000+ member 'Tribe' community across 180 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• THU Main Event: Annual flagship gathering of the digital entertainment industry community, held over six days with talks, masterclasses, mentorships, and networking.
• THU iGaming Lab
• THU Sound & Music
• THU Guidance Sessions
• THU Digital Health
• THU Storytelling
• THU Career Camp
• THU Creators Circle
• THU Talent League
• THU Golden Ticket
• Everlasting
• THU Platform
• Pitch Days
• New Voices Program

Products and services

• THU Platform

Quantifiable outcome

• 36,000+ creative professionals in the THU community across 180 countries
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers35 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

42 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• MastercardcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2023Mastercard was the proud sponsor of THU Creators Circle 2023, a bootcamp focused on building a new generation of entrepreneurs with emphasis on women's leadership in digital entertainment.
• SonyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSony x THU Talent League partnership reimagined creative collaboration through mentorship and funding. Emerging creators received backing to bring groundbreaking ideas to life in digital entertainment.
• Mercedes-BenzflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMercedes-Benz x THU Golden Ticket innovation challenge gave Mercedes-Benz a non-automotive lens on the world. Stories and artworks from the challenge directly inspired Mercedes-Benz's Air Balance perfume system. Also includes Art For Impact initiative.
• KingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKing x THU Mentorship Program - a 12-month online mentoring opportunity dedicated to aspiring game makers planning to pursue their first job in the games industry. Mentees connected to seasoned mentors from King.
• SupercellcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSupercell is a proud supporter of THU 2026 Main Event and Pitch Days. Also supported Career Camp 2025.
• Turismo de PortugalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTourismo de Portugal partners with THU to support the Main Event in Troia, Portugal, promoting Portugal as a destination for creative industries.
• IDEA AcademyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUniversity partner for Creators Circle helping spread the word to talent across the world. Also listed as Alliance Member for THU 2026 and supporter of Career Camp 2025.
• ESADE Ramon Llull UniversityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUniversity partner for Creators Circle helping spread the word to talent across the world.
• Outfit7minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUniversity partner for Creators Circle helping spread the word to talent across the world.
• Chaos GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUniversity partner for Creators Circle helping spread the word to talent across the world.
• RavensburgerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRavensburger participates in Industry Days at THU 2026, providing Industry Talks for attendees.
• WoogaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWooga participates in Industry Days at THU 2026, providing Industry Talks for attendees.
• MooncolonyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMooncolony participates in Industry Days and Portfolio Reviews at THU 2026.
• Next GamesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNext Games participates in Industry Days at THU 2026, providing Industry Talks for attendees.
• IlluminationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTrusted by top studios for recruitment. Listed as company supporting Career Camp 2025.
• CinesiteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as company supporting Career Camp 2025.
• ILM (Industrial Light & Magic)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as company supporting Career Camp 2025.
• Wētā FXminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as company supporting Career Camp 2025.
• Goodbye KansasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as company supporting Career Camp 2025.
• Lightheart EntertainmentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as company supporting Career Camp 2025.
• InnoGamesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as company supporting Career Camp 2025.
• MetacoreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as company supporting Career Camp 2025.
• One of UsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as company supporting Career Camp 2025.
• SYBOminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as company supporting Career Camp 2025.
• Wildlife StudiosminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as company supporting Career Camp 2025.
• RevenantminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as company supporting Career Camp 2025.
• German Ubisoft StudiosminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as company supporting Career Camp 2025.
• EnvarminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as company supporting Career Camp 2025.
• GoodnameminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as company supporting Career Camp 2025.
• InvokeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as company supporting Career Camp 2025.
• The Sunnyside UpminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as company supporting Career Camp 2025.
• Playground GamesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as company supporting Career Camp 2025.
• Pollen Audio GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for THU Sound & Music initiative, helping amplify the event's impact and reach in the sound/music industry.
• NetflixcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetflix partnered with THU for the 'New Voices Series', a content production initiative showcasing untold stories and collaborations with the THU community.
• Kaga CitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative Cities partnership providing strategic consulting to Kaga City using the power of creative industries to revitalize urban communities. THU Storytelling 2025 held in Kaga City as part of this initiative to help combat population decrease.
• ICSminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as Alliance Member for THU 2026.
• CopicminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCopic powered the Tribe Postcards project connecting THU community members worldwide.
• DAMN! VisdevminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for THU Storytelling 2025 event.
• Gazela WineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for THU Storytelling 2025 event.
• Sapporo SORACHI 1984minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for THU Storytelling 2025 event.
• The Hokkoku ShimbunminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia ally for THU Storytelling 2025.
• StashminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia ally for THU Storytelling 2025.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ArtStation: Digital art community and portfolio platform owned by Epic Games. Directly comparable to THU's creative talent marketplace, serving the same concept artists, 3D artists, and animators in the digital entertainment industry.
• SIGGRAPH: Premier annual conference for computer graphics, animation, and interactive techniques. Serves the same VFX/animation/research communities as THU's Main Event, with comparable industry talks, masterclasses, and networking formats.
• OFFF Festival: Annual creative industry festival featuring talks, workshops, and community gatherings for designers, animators, and digital creators. Comparable to THU's event-driven creative community model with a similar grassroots, anti-corporate culture.
• Behance: Adobe-owned creative portfolio and community platform serving designers, illustrators, and creative professionals. Closely comparable to THU's platform-side value proposition of portfolio hosting, community engagement, and creative industry reach.
• Game Developers Conference (GDC): The largest annual event for game developers and digital entertainment professionals. THU Main Event serves a comparable attendee base (game studios, animators, technical artists) with a similar event-driven community and learning content model.
• Dribbble: Design community and job marketplace serving creative professionals. Overlaps with THU's talent marketplace and community features, though Dribbble skews more toward graphic/UI design while THU serves broader digital entertainment.

Broad incumbents

• Adobe MAX: Adobe's annual flagship creative conference serving millions of creative professionals. Overlaps with THU's Main Event audience but operates at much larger scale with broader creative software tooling focus.
• Cannes Lions: The global benchmark festival for the creative communications industry. Serves an overlapping creative professional audience with THU, though it focuses on advertising and brand creativity rather than digital entertainment specifically.
• SXSW: Multi-track annual event spanning technology, film, music, and creative industries. Operates at much larger scale than THU Main Event with broader content scope but comparable convergence of creative professionals across industries.

Emerging players

• Creative Mornings: Grassroots creative community with monthly free talks in cities worldwide. Smaller in scale than THU but shares the grassroots, community-first ethos and serves an overlapping creative professional audience.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Trojan_Unicorn
• Facebookfacebook.com/TrojanUnicorn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/trojan-horse-was-a-unicorn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Trojan Horse was a Unicorn