Flagship UAE creator-economy event, the 1 Billion Followers Summit has revealed that its Creators Ventures Accelerator—run by Creators HQ in partnership with 500 Global—has attracted 1,131 applications from content creators and digital startups across more than 70 countries.
The programme seeks to identify and incubate promising creator-led startups, providing mentorship, knowledge sharing, and access to investment networks to help them build sustainable businesses in the growing global content economy.
Participants will be showcased at the fourth edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, to be held from January 9 to 11 2026 at Emirates Towers, the Dubai International Financial Centre, and the Museum of the Future, under the theme “Content for Good.”
At a glance
- 1,131 applications from 70 countries
- 609 qualified for the next phase
- 20 participants to join the first cohort
- Funding of up to AED50m ($13.6m)
- Finalists announced at 1 Billion Followers Summit 2026
Next phase
Of the 1,131 applicants, 609 qualified for the next stage after meeting participation criteria.
They include 347 content creators from more than 70 countries—led by India, followed by Egypt, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Syria.
The accelerator also drew 262 applications from digital startups and business platforms.
From these, 20 applicants will be selected for the inaugural cohort.
A specialised team of venture capitalists and digital-media experts will assess the projects on innovation, creativity, social and economic impact, execution quality, business planning, scalability, and investment potential.
They will also provide mentorship throughout the programme to support long-term growth.
AED50m funding opportunity
Participants will join an intensive 10-week training programme combining 500 Global’s company-building expertise with its ecosystem dedicated to the creator economy.
In the first phase, organisers will invite 20 participants to present their ideas on stage, advance 10 to the semi-final, and select three finalists.
The winners, announced on the closing day of the summit, will receive an investment opportunity and funding of up to AED50m ($13.6m) from Creators HQ and industry investors.
Global creator economy
Khadija Hussain, Executive Director of Government Communication at the UAE Government Media Office and Deputy CEO of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, said the response highlights the UAE’s increasing role as a magnet for creative talent.
Hussain said: “We are pleased with the tremendous response to the Creators Ventures Accelerator programme, which reflects the UAE’s growing stature as a global hub for purposeful content creation and innovation and its ability to attract top creative talent from around the world”.
She added that the programme offers an unprecedented opportunity for creators and emerging digital companies to turn ideas into sustainable ventures.
“The Creators Ventures Accelerator programme serves as an interactive platform that brings together creativity and innovation within a single ecosystem.
“This integrated model reinforces the role of content creation as one of the most vital sectors of the new economy, giving participating creators a genuine opportunity to become influential business leaders.”
She emphasised that through its collaboration with 500 Global, the summit provides creators and startups with the tools to expand their projects into globally competitive companies.
Empowering creator entrepreneurs
Mei Chel Tan, Managing Partner at 500 Global, said the partnership demonstrates the firm’s commitment to nurturing innovation in the creator economy.
“The creator economy is a significant contributor to today’s global social and commercial outcomes, with the potential to drive real economic value and innovation,” Tan said.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Creators HQ in this initiative, through which we’re empowering content creators and creator technologies to build and scale meaningful businesses and solutions.”
The Creators Ventures Accelerator underscores 500 Global’s goal to leverage its venture capital expertise and global platform to help creators and entrepreneurs transform ideas into high-impact businesses and advance creativity worldwide.
UAE digital and creative economy
The accelerator operates under Creators HQ, the UAE and Middle East’s first dedicated content creator hub and part of Visioneers, in partnership with 500 Global, one of the world’s most active venture capital firms.
By combining mentorship, investment, and international exposure, the initiative advances the UAE’s strategy to build a diversified digital and creative economy that empowers entrepreneurs to compete globally.
