By Staff Reporter
DUBAI, October 16, 2026 — The 1 Billion Followers Summit and the National Media Authority have launched a $1 million initiative aimed at helping 100 content creators turn their ideas into viable businesses in the UAE.
Called 100 Dreams, the programme will provide each selected applicant with $10,000 in funding, alongside assistance with trade licences and access to mentorship to help establish their businesses.
The initiative was developed in collaboration with Simon Squibb, a content creator and founder of Dream Group. It was announced during a press conference at Creators HQ in Dubai, attended by Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Authority, and Saeed Al Eter, Chairman of the UAE Government Media Office and Chief Executive Officer of the 1 Billion Followers Summit.
Applications will open on November 20, 2026. Interested creators will be required to submit a video through the 100 Dreams platform explaining the business they intend to establish.
Eligible projects must focus on media, content creation or the wider creator economy. A specialised committee will assess the submissions before selecting 100 successful applicants.
The programme will reach a major milestone during the fifth edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, scheduled for January 8–10, 2027. The selected entrepreneurs will be showcased at a dedicated activation, with funding distribution set to begin during the event.
Successful applicants will also participate in a six-week business accelerator covering business development, marketing and digital media to help them build sustainable ventures.
Al Hamed said the initiative would help transform creativity into an economic force, while Al Eter described it as a significant step towards changing perceptions of content creation as a viable business sector.
Squibb said the programme was designed to address one of the biggest challenges facing aspiring entrepreneurs: turning an idea into an operating business.
Organisers say the initiative will support emerging entrepreneurs, encourage innovation and reinforce the UAE’s ambitions to become a global centre for the creator economy.
News source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)
