Dubai’s 1 Billion Pitches Competition: A Global Stage for Startups and Content Creators to Secure Funding

Participants to Pitch Groundbreaking Ideas at the 2025 1 Billion Followers Summit

In a landmark initiative for startups and content creators worldwide, Dubai will host the first-ever 1 Billion Pitches competition, offering a unique opportunity to present innovative ideas to top investors and industry leaders. This premier event is set to take place during the third edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, from January 11 to 13, 2025.

Organized by the New Media Academy, the competition aims to provide vital support to entrepreneurs and creators by connecting them with potential investors, strategic partners, and mentors, ultimately helping them scale their ventures. Two winning pitches will receive a comprehensive package of support, including funding, partnerships, and ongoing mentorship, to ensure long-term success.

Alia AlHammadi, CEO of the New Media Academy, emphasized the transformative potential of the competition: “(The competition) opens new horizons of growth while offering them exceptional exposure to top investors. Such support ensures the launch of projects that contribute to economic and social development, and to a more prosperous and sustainable future.”

Call for Submissions and Selection Process

Entrepreneurs and creators are encouraged to submit their business ideas ahead of the September 20, 2024 deadline. Once the submissions close, the competition will kick off in earnest, with the best 25 ideas being shortlisted for a mentorship and training program. This specialized program, led by industry veterans, aims to refine pitches and maximize participants’ chances of securing funding at the live event in January.

Eligible participants must meet specific criteria: applicants need to have a registered business and be at least 18 years of age. Each startup can submit one business idea via the summit’s official website, where the entries will undergo a rigorous evaluation process to ensure they meet the competition’s standards.

A distinguished panel of judges—comprising key investors and international experts—will assess the pitches based on innovation, feasibility, creativity, scalability, market potential, and social or economic impact. Leadership qualities and financial viability will also be scrutinized as the judges whittle down the top 25 ideas. Of those, 10 finalists will advance to the second stage, based on both judge and audience voting, before two eventual winners are crowned.

The Summit: A Global Gathering for Content Creators

The 1 Billion Followers Summit returns for its third edition in January 2025, continuing its mission to showcase creative innovation under the theme “Content for Good.” Billed as the world’s largest gathering of content creators and influencers, the summit is a platform for global talent, fostering creativity and collaboration across industries.

In 2024, the summit drew over 3,000 attendees, including content creators, influencers, and creatives, along with 100 expert speakers. The event inspires a global audience of over 1 billion people. The previous summit featured high-profile appearances, such as TikTok sensation Khaby Lame, who captivated attendees with his story of viral success, and Palestinian creator Plestia, who addressed the crowd virtually.

The summit also featured Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammed AlGergawi, who shared an anecdote about a single tweet on social media platform X—a simple dot—that sparked curiosity and conversation.

As the UAE continues to position itself as a global hub for creative industries, the 1 Billion Pitches competition promises to propel innovative startups and content creators onto the world stage, fostering growth, development, and new opportunities for economic impact.

This event presents an exciting opportunity for the next generation of entrepreneurs and content creators to shine, combining innovation, mentorship, and financial support in one of the world’s most dynamic cities. Dubai’s commitment to nurturing talent is set to leave a lasting impact on the global creative economy.

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