1 Billion Followers Summit launches ‘100 Dreams' initiative

Dubai: The 1 Billion Followers Summit, the world’s largest gathering for the creator economy, has announced the launch of the ‘100 Dreams' initiative in partnership with the UAE’s National Media Authority and renowned content creator Simon Squibb. The announcement was made at a press conference ahead of the summit’s fifth edition, set to take place in Dubai from January 8-10, 2027, under the theme ‘Content for Good’. The initiative promises to turbocharge the UAE’s burgeoning media sector by providing 100 aspiring media entrepreneurs with US$10,000 in funding, alongside six weeks of intensive training, business support and access to a powerful professional network. The ultimate goal is to help participants turn creative ideas into viable content. Transforming creators into entrepreneurs Her Excellency Alia Al Hammadi, Vice Chairperson of the UAE Government Media Office and the 1 Billion Followers Summit, described the initiative as a game changer for the region’s creative economy. “Our goal is to help creators turn their talents and passions into sustainable businesses,” she said. Al Hammadi quoted a 2025 Visa survey showing that 68% of content creators view themselves as business owners, yet 86% still self-fund their ventures. “This is about long-term business growth, job creation, and sustainable income far beyond the summit itself.” Her Excellency Maitha Majid Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of Media Regulation at the National Media Authority, underscored the UAE’s ambition to become a global hub for media companies, not just a destination for individual creators. “Media businesses are critical to our economy, influencing not only employment and consumer spending but also how the world perceives the UAE,” she said. Al Suwaidi highlighted the country’s robust digital infrastructure and interconnected business ecosystem as key advantages for entrepreneurs. Simon Squibb, founder of Dream Group and a leading advocate for entrepreneurial inclusivity, echoed these sentiments. “Talent is everywhere, but opportunities are not,” he said. “By giving 100 people access to funding, knowledge, and professional networks, we can unlock enormous potential for the UAE and beyond.” How the 100 Dreams Initiative works Selected participants in the 100 Dreams Initiative will embark on a transformative journey designed to help them turn their creative ambitions into thriving media businesses based in the UAE. Each of the 100 aspiring entrepreneurs will receive a US$10,000 grant to jump-start their business plans. The support goes far beyond funding: participants will take part in a six-week training programme tailored to equip them with essential business and content creation skills. Over the course of the programme, they will also benefit from hands-on assistance as they navigate the complexities of company formation, licensing and registration processes in the UAE. Building on past successes This year’s initiative builds on the Summit’s previous collaboration with 500 Global, which, in its fourth edition, featured a 10-week accelerator for 21 startups. According to Al Suwaidi, two of those startups secured investments totalling US$4 million by the end of the summit, a testament to the Summit’s impact on media entrepreneurship. A vision for economic growth and global impact The 100 Dreams Initiative is more than a funding announcement. It reflects the UAE’s strategy to foster a thriving creator economy that generates jobs, drives business formation and positions Dubai as a launchpad for media companies with global reach. The initiative also addresses new frontiers in technology, with Squibb highlighting the disruptive potential of AI and saying it was imperative to create new careers as industries evolve. The fifth edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, organised by the UAE Government Media Office and held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will gather content creators, media professionals and industry leaders from around the world. As the ‘Content for Good’ theme suggests, the event aims to harness the power of media as a force for positive change, starting with 100 dreams that could redefine the future of the UAE’s creator economy.