# 1 Billion Followers Summit 2025 Dubai Offers $1M Prize
Dubai is set to host the third edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit from January 11 to 13, 2025, bringing together the world's top content creators, media influencers, and digital industry leaders for what organisers call the biggest creator event on the planet. The New Media Academy, which organises the summit, will distribute a $1 million prize — described as the largest content creator award in the world — to a creator whose work embodies the event's theme: "Content for Good."
What Is the 1 Billion Followers Summit?
The 1 Billion Followers Summit is an annual event organised by the New Media Academy with the aim of shaping the global content creator economy. Its third edition in Dubai will focus on identifying and rewarding creators who use their platforms to generate positive change — locally, regionally, and internationally.
Alia Al Hammadi, CEO of the New Media Academy, said the summit reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to position the UAE as a global hub for the digital economy. She highlighted the event's commitment to advancing digital media skills among the next generation of creators.
Three Iconic Dubai Venues
The three-day summit will span multiple landmark venues across the city: Jumeirah Emirates Towers, the Museum of the Future, and the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The locations are intended to attract both established and aspiring creators, as well as investors and companies looking to support innovative digital content projects.
$1 Million Creator Award
Voting for the award will be open to the public. Contestants will first be shortlisted through an online vote across four categories, and the final winners will then be selected by a jury panel. The prize is designed to spotlight creators whose content delivers real-world social value.
Introducing 1B Pitches
One of the most anticipated new features at this year's summit is 1B Pitches — a Shark Tank-style competition where creators and content-led startups pitch their ideas directly to major investors and companies. The programme aims to connect innovative creators with funding partners who can help turn bold ideas into reality, offering successful pitchers potential funding, strategic partnerships, and ongoing mentorship.
Summit Ambassadors
The 2025 summit will feature prominent ambassadors from across the Arab creator world. Ahmed El Ghandour, the acclaimed host of the Al Daheeh YouTube show and one of the Arab world's most influential digital personalities, will represent the event alongside Anas Marwah and Asala Maleh of the Anazala Family channel — a record-breaking YouTube channel with more than 40 million subscribers that has claimed three Guinness World Records and a Kids' Choice Award.
Building on Past Success
The 2024 edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit attracted more than 7,000 attendees from 95 countries, with total social media engagement exceeding 300 million interactions. The 2025 edition aims to build on that momentum by expanding its programming, increasing its global reach, and deepening the impact of its creator funding initiatives.
Content creators interested in attending or participating can register and find full details on the official 1 Billion Followers Summit website.
