The UAE officially inaugurated the Creators HQ at Emirates Towers in Dubai during the 1 Billion Followers Summit, signalling a significant advancement in global content creation. This initiative is designed to establish the UAE as a prominent global hub for digital media, with an ambitious goal of attracting 10,000 influencers to the country soon.
Creators HQ aims to empower content creators, enhance their influence, and create sustainable frameworks that support the burgeoning creator economy. This initiative builds upon the Content Creators Support Fund, a dedicated AED 150 million initiative established in 2024 under His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. The fund is focused on fostering innovation, nurturing creative projects, and driving growth within the digital content sector.
The launch occurred during the third edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit 2025, held from January 11 to 13 at Dubai’s Emirates Towers, DIFC, and the Museum of the Future. This event, the largest dedicated to the content creator economy, carried the theme “Content for Good” and convened over 15,000 creators, 420 speakers, 125 CEOs, and global experts.
Starting with an initial cohort of 100 members, the Creators HQ represents leading creators, enablers, and industry supporters from more than 20 countries. This initiative has garnered support from 15 prominent organisations involved in written and visual content, including Meta, TikTok, X, Spotter, Creator Now, Tube Filter, Epidemic Sound, and the New Media Academy.
His Excellency Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, emphasised that: “Thanks to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, we are actively engaged in efforts to build a thriving content economy that solidifies the UAE’s leadership in a field that is increasingly becoming a crucial driver of the future.”
His Excellency Al Gergawi further stated, “The launch of a Creators HQ in the UAE marks a pivotal moment in supporting the nation’s goal of maximising the positive impact of content on community development. Our primary aim is to attract global content creators to the UAE, a nation celebrated for its cultural diversity, where they can find support and connect with funding and investors to innovate and expand their reach.”
In conclusion, His Excellency remarked, “As the world evolves, especially in content and digital media, we must be prepared to harness the positive impact of this progress while navigating its challenges for the betterment of humanity.”
The Creators HQ has been envisioned as a comprehensive institution for content creators, planning to host over 300 events and workshops annually. The facility will meet the changing needs of the global creator economy, offering members exclusive benefits and services, including assistance with UAE Golden Visa applications, relocation support, and company registration processes. Creators HQ aims to expand their influence and hone their skills within a conducive and innovative environment by empowering creators at all levels.
Moreover, Creators HQ is dedicated to nurturing talent through specialised and forward-thinking training programs led by industry experts and global leaders. Initiatives will feature creative camps for youth, mentorship opportunities, funding avenues, and workshops focusing on essential skills such as branding, video production, storytelling, audience engagement, monetisation, sponsorship, and creating specialised, effective content.
The initiative aspires to attract and support a wide array of talent, including social media influencers, digital content creators, podcasters, visual artists, and critical players in the creative industries—from advertising and marketing firms to media and music producers, animation studios, and fashion and lifestyle brands.
In pursuit of a fully integrated creative ecosystem, the initiative plans to collaborate with technology companies, forging partnerships with social media platforms, streaming services, gaming and esports companies, virtual and augmented reality developers, and AI and machine learning startups. The focus will also extend to entrepreneurs in software development, talent management, and media innovation.
