The third edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, the world’s first and largest event dedicated to shaping the content creation economy, has recently concluded after hosting more than 15,000 content creators and influencers, as well as 420 speakers.
The summit was organized by the UAE Government Media Office under the theme “Content For Good,” and hosted at Dubai’s Emirates Towers, the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) and the Museum of the Future.
“The remarkable success of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, reflected in the growth of engagement among content creators and key players in this vital sector shaping the future, provides a strong impetus for further growth in future editions. As the largest global event dedicated to the content economy, the Summit underscores the UAE’s strategic vision of fostering a sustainable economic sector rich with opportunities in this field,” stated Mohammad Al Gergawi, minister of Cabinet Affairs.
Summit attracts investment funds worth AED50 million
This year’s 1 Billion Followers Summit built on the momentum of the previous years, with an expanded and more robust agenda developed with local and global partners. The summit attracted more than 125 CEOs as well as the world’s leading experts and influencers. Over 10 investment funds totaling AED50 million also participated in the summit to support content creators across various fields.
“The success of the third edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit was evident in its impactful results, particularly in strengthening the UAE’s position as a global hub that unites all stakeholders driving progress and innovation in this sector. The Summit also attracted the largest number of young content creators to date, with millions worldwide engaging with its activities,” stated Saeed Al Eter, deputy minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Projects and chairman of the UAE Government Media Office.
Following the conclusion of the third edition, the fourth edition was announced and will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, from January 9-11, 2026.
Over 340 sessions covering three main tracks
The 1 Billion Followers Summit greatly contributed to facilitating the connection between influencers, content creators, investors, entrepreneurs and other key stakeholders in the digital media sector. The Summit featured over 340 sessions, including keynote addresses, roundtables, interactive discussions, and training workshops across three main tracks: economy, content and technology.
“This edition introduced groundbreaking initiatives, including the One Billion Award valued at $1 million for creators of purposeful content. It also featured extensive participation from major social media platforms and other significant events that invigorated the sector,” added Alia AlHammadi, vice chairperson of the UAE Government Media Office, CEO of the 1 Billion Followers Summit.
This year’s 1 Billion Followers Summit brought together leading social media platforms, including Snapchat, X, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Meta (Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp). Representatives from each platform exchanged ideas on the future of content creation, building impactful content, protecting intellectual property, combating misinformation and leveraging tools like AI, analytics and digital community-building strategies to advance humanity.
Read: Creators for Purpose Program launched by Dubai’s Creators HQ, Meta
1 Billion Pitches competition
Winners of the 1 Billion Pitches competition were also announced at the culmination of the 1 Billion Followers Summit and were awarded $1 million. The competition is the first of its kind as it offers financial support to startups and entrepreneurs with pioneering content creation ideas.
It was allocated AED50 million, with AED30 million funded directly by Shorooq, one of the Arab world’s largest alternative investment firms, and AED20 million by the summit itself.
The competition received 500 applications from across 40 countries, with projects spanning education, advanced technology, innovation, women’s empowerment, creativity, health, entrepreneurship and more. Twenty-five finalists advanced to the semi-finals, with 10 shortlisted candidates competing in the final round.
The winner of the One Billion Award, a $1 million prize deemed the world’s largest and most valuable for content creators, was also announced on the summit’s third and final day. The award, which has attracted over 16,000 entries from nearly 190 countries in just three weeks, celebrated creators with inspiring, positive content.
