Creators HQ and Silicon Valley venture capital firm 500 Global have unveiled the impact of the Creators Ventures Accelerator, revealing a growing portfolio of creator-led startups now collectively valued at more than US$130 million.
The 10-week accelerator concluded with a final showcase at the fourth edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, held in Dubai from January 9 to 11 under the theme Content for Good. Organised by the UAE Government Media Office, the summit drew more than 30,000 attendees, including over 15,000 content creators and 500 speakers from around the world.
From more than 1,100 applications across 70 countries, 21 creators and startup founders were selected for the programme. Together, they serve a combined audience of more than 20 million followers, subscribers, and users across digital platforms.
Two ventures advanced to the final stage and qualified for funding consideration from Creators HQ. They are Bump, a US-based fintech platform for the global creator economy led by CEO and co-founder James Jones, and Kami, a Türkiye-based community-powered stories IP engine founded by Yağmur Aydemir.
The accelerator launched in October and followed a hybrid format designed to fast-track business growth through mentorship, strategy development, and investor exposure. Its final presentations took place during the summit, highlighting solutions spanning fintech, AI, marketing, healthcare, education, and media.
Alia AlHammadi, Vice Chairperson of the UAE Government Media Office and CEO of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, said the programme reflects the UAE’s commitment to empowering creators to build sustainable ventures with meaningful social and developmental impact.
Courtney Powell, COO of 500 Global, noted that creators are rapidly emerging as serious entrepreneurs, with future success tied to strong business fundamentals, community engagement, and long-term vision.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
