Startups and content creators worldwide will have a distinctive chance to showcase their innovative ideas to investors and industry leaders through a groundbreaking competition based in Dubai. The 1 Billion Pitches event will provide participants with the opportunity to secure vital support and funding for their projects by presenting their pitches live at the third edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, scheduled from 11 to 13 January 2025. Organized by the New Media Academy, the competition will award support—including potential funding, strategic partnerships, and continuous mentorship—to two winning pitches, aiding them in scaling their ventures and achieving long-term success.
"The competition opens up new avenues for growth while offering unparalleled exposure to top investors," stated Alia AlHammadi, CEO of the New Media Academy. "Such support ensures the launch of projects that contribute to economic and social development, and to a more prosperous and sustainable future."
Startups and content creators are invited to submit their business ideas by the deadline of 20 September 2024. "The 1B Pitches competition will commence once the submission deadline is met," explained Alia. "The top 25 ideas will be chosen, and those shortlisted will participate in a specialized mentorship and training program led by industry experts, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to refine their pitches and maximize their chances of securing support and funding at the January event."
To qualify, applicants must have a registered business and be at least 18 years old. Each startup can submit one business idea via the summit’s website, and all submissions will undergo a thorough evaluation process to ensure they meet the competition's criteria. A panel of judges comprising key investors and international experts will select the top 25 applications to present their ideas live. Following the presentations, 10 submissions, chosen through judges and audience voting, will advance to the second stage of the competition.
The judges will assess each pitch based on specific criteria, including innovation, feasibility, pitch quality, market potential, creativity, scalability, potential social and economic impact, and the applicant's leadership capabilities. They will also evaluate the projects’ financial potential and profitability, along with their appeal to future investors. The competition will conclude with two winning pitches.
Under the theme 'Content for Good', the 1 Billion Followers Summit will return for its third edition in January 2025, highlighting the UAE's dedication to becoming a global hub for creative innovation. Described as the world’s largest gathering for content creation and creators, the summit brought together over 3,000 content creators, influencers, and creatives from around the globe, including 100 expert speakers, to address and inspire over 1 billion people in 2024. When the event took place in January this year, social media sensation Khaby Lame was the headline act. The TikToker, with over 162 million followers and the most followed account on the platform, gained viral fame during the pandemic with his silent, exasperated expressions. Palestinian content creator Plestia addressed the crowd virtually, while Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammed AlGergawi shared the quirky story behind his single tweet on social media platform X, which consisted of a dot.
