1 Billion Followers Summit, NMA launch initiative to establish 100 content businesses

A new initiative has been launched by the 1 Billion Followers Summit and the National Media Authority (NMA) to support, mentor, and fund 100 content creators wishing to establish a business in the UAE.

The ‘100 Dreams’ initiative targets individuals with an idea or dream of building a business in the content and digital media industry.

It was launched in collaboration with Simon Squibb, content creator and Founder of Dream Group. 

Each of the 100 selected creators will be given a $10,000 fund to kickstart their journey in the UAE and expand globally later on. 

It will also help aspiring entrepreneurs obtain trade licences, mentorship, and guidance to help them develop their ideas and transform them into scalable businesses.

The announcement was made during a press conference held by the summit on Thursday at the Creators HQ in Dubai. 

Applications for the initiative will open on November 20, and interested individuals need to focus on ideas and projects related to media, content creation, or the creator economy. 

The initiative will culminate during the fifth edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, with a dedicated '100 Dreams' activation taking place over the three days of the Summit, from January 8-10, 2027.

Selected founders and projects will be featured with their stories and ideas showcased, and the distribution of funding to the projects will begin to help them move from the idea stage to business establishment.

Following the summit, content creators with selected projects will participate in a six-week business accelerator programme designed to support the development of their businesses and enhance their readiness for growth.

The programme will provide support in business development, marketing, digital media and other key areas entrepreneurs need to build sustainable businesses.

Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Authority, affirmed that the UAE "continues to establish an economic model that provides creative ideas with the foundations to become productive businesses" that advance the nation's "economic diversification and competitiveness"

He added that the initiative "opens a path for content creators that bridges ambition with capability, and innovation with commercial viability". 

Meanwhile, Saeed Al Eter, Chairman of the UAE Government Media Office and CEO of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, noted that the initiative supports the establishment of the content creation sector as a "fully integrated sector with tangible economic and social impact".

"We are laying the groundwork for 100 sustainable businesses to emerge from the UAE and impact the global media and economy landscape, setting a benchmark for how this industry is managed and its future shaped," he added.