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The 1 Billion Followers Summit, in partnership with content creator Simon Squibb and backed by the National Media Authority, introduced the 100 Dreams initiative to help aspiring entrepreneurs convert media and content ideas into sustainable companies based in the UAE. Each of the 100 selected participants will receive $10,000 in seed funding together with licensing assistance for a UAE company, guidance on securing a Golden Visa subject to government approval, and an invitation to attend the summit in Dubai. Selected entrepreneurs will additionally join a six-week accelerator that pairs them with Squibb and specialist mentors to refine their concepts, build operational foundations and prepare for scalable growth, according to details released at a press conference in Dubai on Wednesday.
Applications for the programme open on November 20 via the Joindream platform, where candidates must submit a video pitch focused on ventures in content creation, digital media platforms or the broader creator economy. A dedicated committee will evaluate submissions before choosing the final cohort, whose projects will feature prominently in a special activation throughout the summit’s three days. The fifth edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, organised by the UAE Government Media Office, is scheduled to run from January 8 to 10, 2027, under the theme “Content for Good.”
The initiative forms part of the summit’s ongoing effort to generate concrete economic prospects within the global creator sector while reinforcing the UAE’s position as a hub for digital innovation and media enterprises. Participants will not be required to relocate permanently yet must commit to attending the summit in person and completing the full accelerator curriculum. The National Media Authority indicated that the selected businesses are expected to contribute to job creation and the expansion of the creative industries both locally and internationally.
Squibb, founder of the Dream Group, connected the project to his own early experiences in an interview with Khaleej Times. “In many ways, this initiative is about helping the 15-year-old version of myself,” he said. Squibb added that the six-week training would address practical skills including platform monetisation, brand development, sponsorship acquisition, sales strategies and algorithmic navigation to transform audiences into viable commercial operations.
A comparable Creators Ventures Accelerator run ahead of the previous summit attracted 1,131 applications from more than 70 countries, Arabian Business reported last year. That programme supplied mentorship along with potential investment of up to $13.6 million for its top finalists. The current 100 Dreams effort extends this approach by concentrating on early-stage support that moves participants swiftly from concept to licensed business formation.
The National Media Authority stated that the initiative aligns with wider objectives to strengthen the UAE’s creator economy through targeted funding and expert guidance. Funding distribution to the chosen projects is planned to commence during the January summit itself. Selected founders will continue receiving structured support after the event to help ensure their new ventures achieve lasting commercial viability.
