Case Study - The most 10x tech news source

Unicorn.Computer is satirical tech journalism that parodies startup culture, Silicon Valley absurdity, and industry trends with deadpan humor.

Client
Unicorn.Computer
Year
Service
Niche Product Development

Overview

Unicorn.Computer is satirical tech journalism with the tagline "the most 10x tech news source." It's The Onion for the tech industry—publishing absurdist fake news that parodies startup culture, corporate absurdity, and Silicon Valley's unique brand of excess.

This project explores content-driven product development, where the product is the content itself, distributed through modern web publishing and social channels.

Content & Style

The site uses deadpan formatting that mimics real tech journalism while describing ridiculous scenarios:

  • Microsoft conducting a "global survey to see who uses Windows" that accidentally outlines the CrowdStrike outage
  • Nvidia launching a GPU-powered smart mug warmer for $1,299
  • CrowdStrike's fictional "Three-Day Weekend" deployment mode
  • AWS offering "Monopoly: Antitrust Avoidance as-a-Service"
  • Twitter suspending accounts that don't follow Elon Musk

The humor works because it uses precise industry jargon and mimics the actual announcement style of tech companies, making the satire both absurd and uncomfortably close to reality.

What we built

  • Content Publishing Platform
  • Editorial Workflow
  • Social Distribution
  • Community Engagement

Why It Works

Tech industry satire succeeds when it comes from inside knowledge. The articles target:

  • Venture capital hype cycles and unicorn valuations
  • Corporate doublespeak and meaningless announcements
  • Silicon Valley culture and startup excess
  • Tech trends taken to their logical (absurd) conclusions

The precision of the parody—using real company names, mimicking actual press release formats, and referencing current events—makes the satire hit harder than generic tech humor.

Product Strategy

Rather than building software, this project demonstrates that content itself can be the product. The platform optimizes for:

  • Quick publishing and distribution
  • Social sharing and viral potential
  • Building an audience around insider tech humor
  • Monetization through content rather than SaaS

Visit unicorn.computer for the latest in 10x tech news.

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Tell me about your project

  • ifelse, LLC
    Building in Pasadena, CA

I typically work with only one or two teams at a time so every engagement stays high-touch.