What Piktura does

Piktura is a private non-profit higher education institution (EESPIG-labeled) located in Roubaix, France, within the Plaine Images (EuraCreative) creative hub of the Lille metropolitan area. The institution operates as Association Piktura – FUPL under the Université Catholique de Lille umbrella and was rebranded from Pôle 3D to Piktura in September 2023, coinciding with its move to a new campus inaugurated on November 22, 2024. It specializes in image arts education across four core 5-year programs (3-year Licence plus 2-year Master) in 2D Animation, 3D Animation, Video Games, and Illustration, supplemented by an exploratory Tremplin (Springboard) year and a continuing education track in Gamification. Diplomas (Concepteur Réalisateur Numérique, Master Réalisateur Numérique) are state-recognized and issued through Université Catholique de Lille.

The curriculum is built on industry-standard creative software — Unreal Engine (Gold Academic Partner), Houdini (Certified School), Toon Boom Harmony (Center of Excellence), and Adobe Creative Suite — covering full production pipelines from pre-production through final render, including modeling, rigging, animation, lighting, compositing, VFX, and real-time 3D for AR/VR and mobile games. The school holds industry certifications and labels including RECA (Réseau des Écoles de Cinéma d'Animation), Unreal Academic Partner Gold, Houdini Certified School, and Toon Boom Center of Excellence, and has international academic partnerships with HOWEST and Haute École Albert Jacquard (Belgium), Bauhaus-Universität Weimar (Germany), and Universität Graz (Austria) for joint workshops and exchange programs.

The business model is tuition-driven: students pay fees scaled by family income and scholarship status, typically in 3, 6, or 8 installments, with Crous scholarships and bank loans available. Recruitment is sales-led and primarily routed through the French national Parcoursup platform for post-bac admissions, with direct routes for Licence 2, Master 1, international applicants, and rentrée décalée (delayed start), plus open days, recruitment events, and an active social media presence. Piktura has no venture capital or external ownership; as a non-profit EESPIG establishment, all surplus is reinvested in mission. Student outcomes include a Student Academy Awards bronze medal for 'Les Larmes de la Seine' (2021), VES Awards wins, and finalist positions at IGF and Pégases for 'Gévaudan 1851'.

Name

Piktura

Legal name

Association Piktura – FUPL

Website

https://piktura.fr

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Piktura is a private non-profit higher education institution in Roubaix, France, affiliated with Université Catholique de Lille, offering state-recognized 5-year programs in 2D animation, 3D animation, video games, and illustration for post-bac and international students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Fine Arts Schools (611610), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

STEM-Focused Research Universities (Engineering & Applied Sciences) (EDAHABAB)

Keywords

• Animation higher education
• Creative arts training
• Video game design school
• Illustration degree programs
• Post-baccalaureate animation

Headquarters

HQ city

Roubaix

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Piktura generates revenue through tuition fees charged to students. The school is a private non-profit higher education establishment (EESPIG labeled) affiliated with Université Catholique de Lille. Fees are paid by students directly or funded through government scholarships (Crous), bank loans, or other financial aid programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Piktura is a private higher education school in Roubaix, France, delivering Licence and Master degree programs in Animation 2D, Animation 3D, Video Game Design, and Illustration. The school is affiliated with Université Catholique de Lille and operates as a non-profit EESPIG-labeled institution, awarding state-recognized French degrees in creative disciplines.

Product overview

Piktura is a private higher education institution specializing in image arts, offering a comprehensive portfolio of programs under a unified platform-plus-pathway architecture. The core offerings consist of four main programs: Animation 2D, Animation 3D, Illustration, and Video Games (Jeux vidéo), each structured as a 3-year Licence followed by a 2-year Master degree. Supporting programs include a Springboard Year (Année Tremplin) for exploratory study and a Gamification continuing education track for professionals. All programs are delivered at the Roubaix campus within Plaine Images and lead to officially recognized diplomas from the French Ministry of Higher Education. The institution previously operated as Pôle 3D before rebranding to Piktura in 2023.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Animation 2D Licence (Bachelor's) degree program in 2D animation, training students in traditional and digital 2D animation techniques, character design, storytelling, and the animation production pipeline.
• Animation 3D Licence (Bachelor's) degree program in 3D animation, covering 3D modeling, rigging, character animation, lighting, and visual effects using professional tools including Houdini and Unreal Engine.
• Jeux Vidéo (Video Game Design) Degree program focused on video game design and development, covering game design fundamentals, programming, asset creation, and interactive storytelling.
• Illustration Degree program in illustration, training students in visual storytelling, drawing, digital illustration, and narrative arts, led by Director Sébastien Herbaux.
• Année Tremplin (Springboard Year) Preparatory year program designed to prepare students for entry into Piktura's degree programs in creative arts, providing foundational skills in animation, drawing, and digital tools.
• Master Programs (Bac+5) Master-level (Bac+5) degree programs offered in conjunction with Université Catholique de Lille, providing advanced specialization in creative disciplines.
• Gamification (Continuing Education) Continuing education program focused on gamification, designed for working professionals seeking targeted skills development in game mechanics and engagement design.

Quantifiable outcome

• Bronze medal at Student Academy Awards (student Oscars)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Éditions Belle ÉtoileminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 March 2026Published the collaborative graphic novel 'L'Arbre Livre' created by Piktura illustration students (15 students, promotion 2023/2024). Demonstrates industry publishing partnership.
• HOWEST Hogeschool West-VlaanderencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 March 2025Belgian partner institution in the Game Jam Franco-Belge 2025, part of Interreg program with 45 students from 4 institutions. Joint workshop and student exchange program for game development education.
• Haute École Albert Jacquard (Namur)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 March 2025Belgian partner that piloted Game Jam Franco-Belge 2025. Collaboration in game development education with students from Hauts-de-France and Wallonia.
• Bauhaus-Universität Weimar (Germany)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024German partner university for international animation workshop: '80 ans après la 2nde Guerre Mondiale' with students from Germany, Austria, and France. 8 films produced in 15-day exchange workshop on theme 'La fin des choses'.
• Universität Graz (Austria)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Austrian partner university for international animation workshop collaborating with Piktura and Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. Students created 8 collaborative films exploring WWII memories.
• Université Catholique de LillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent institution providing academic framework and university degrees (Licence, Master). Piktura is an association under FUPL connected to the university. Provides infrastructure support and quality assurance through university systems.
• AnkamaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership discussed during PIX Festival with Edmond Tourriol (Ankama/Allskreen) and Sébastien Herbaux (Piktura) regarding comic/graphic novel education and potential collaboration in the field.
• Plaine Images (EuraCreative)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative industry hub in Lille metropolitan area where Piktura's new campus is located. Part of ROUBAIXXL initiative. Provides networking and industry ecosystem for students.
• Espace-EsticeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in VHD (Violences, Harcèlements, Discriminations) awareness campaign, collaborating with Piktura and ISTC on webtoon creation for harassment prevention.
• ISTCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in VHD webtoon project for harassment awareness, collaborating with Piktura and Espace-Estice.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ArtFx: ArtFx is a French private school in Montpellier focused on 3D animation, VFX, and game art, with strong industry placement and festival traction. Comparable to Piktura's 3D/VFX and video-game programs in curriculum and target student.
• Gobelins, l'école de l'image: Gobelins is the leading French private animation and interactive design school (Paris), offering Bachelors/Masters in 2D/3D animation, motion design, and game art. Directly comparable to Piktura as a French creative-arts higher-education institution competing for the same student cohort on Parcoursup-style admissions.
• ESMA (École Supérieure des Métiers Artistiques): ESMA is a French private creative school with campuses in Montpellier, Toulouse, Lyon, Paris, and Nantes, offering degrees in 3D animation, VFX, video games, and illustration. Directly competes with Piktura on discipline portfolio, degree structure, and French post-bac admissions.
• Rubika (Supinfogame / Supinfocom): Rubika operates French creative schools in Valenciennes (near Roubaix), Montreal, and India, with programs in game design, 3D animation, and VFX. Direct peer for video-game and animation tracks; geographic proximity to Piktura in the Hauts-de-France region intensifies overlap.
• École Georges Méliès: École Georges Méliès is a French private school specializing in 2D/3D animation, with campuses in Paris and other cities. Direct peer on animation focus and degree structure; recognized in the same French animation-school ecosystem (RECA).
• Studio M: Studio M is a French private creative school with campuses across France, offering programs in animation, 3D, illustration, and design. Comparable to Piktura on multi-discipline creative-arts portfolio and Bac+3/+5 degree pathway.
• Brassart: Brassart is a French network of private creative-arts schools (multiple campuses) offering degrees in graphic design, illustration, 3D animation, and video games. Comparable to Piktura on multi-track creative-arts portfolio and degree-granting model.
• ISART Digital: ISART Digital is a Paris-based private school offering degree programs in video games, 3D animation, VFX, and digital arts. Direct competitor for game-development and animation students, with similar post-bac admissions mechanics.

Regional players

• HSLU Design & Kunst (Hochschule Luzern): HSLU's Design & Kunst faculty offers Swiss BA/MA programs in design, illustration, and digital media with strong industry integration. Comparable to Piktura on illustration/design portfolio and degree structure, but operates in Switzerland under a public-university funding model.
• ECAL (École cantonale d'art de Lausanne): ECAL is a leading Swiss art and design university offering Bachelor/Master programs in visual arts, graphic design, and film/animation. Comparable to Piktura's illustration and animation tracks but operates in Switzerland with a different admissions and funding model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Customer concentration

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

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 Piktura