Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

Dubai is opening its doors to content creators and startups with bold ideas—offering funding opportunities of up to Dh50 million through the Creators Ventures Accelerator. The initiative, run by Creators HQ in collaboration with global venture capital firm 500 Global, will take place during the 1 Billion Followers Summit from January 9 to 11, 2026, across Emirates Towers, DIFC, and the Museum of the Future. Applications are open until October 3 via creatorshq.com/creators-ventures. Twenty startups and individuals will be selected for a 10-week program blending mentorship, training, and networking opportunities. Participants will showcase their projects in the Creators Ventures Pitch at the summit, with finalists judged on creativity, feasibility, scalability, and social and economic impact. Courtney Powell, COO and Managing Partner at 500 Global, said: “Creators are uniquely positioned to disrupt industries… By joining forces with Creators HQ, we look to provide infrastructure for these visionaries to evolve into founders who can scale global businesses.” Alia AlHammadi, Vice Chairperson of the UAE Government Media Office and CEO of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, added: “Creators HQ is dedicated to investing in content creators who are shaping the future with meaningful content and a positive social impact… The programme aims to empower creators to transform their ideas into globally impactful projects.” The accelerator is part of the wider Creators Ventures initiative, designed to attract global creative talent and establish the UAE as a hub for the creator economy. ICA/Expat Media
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