Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed Honours Winners of ‘1 Billion Pitches’ Competition at Dubai Summit
Dubai, January 13, 2025 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, honoured the top start-ups selected in the ‘1 Billion Pitches’ competition, recognising their groundbreaking contributions to the content creation economy.
The winners were celebrated during the third edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, held from January 11th to 13th across iconic Dubai venues, including Emirates Towers, Dubai International Financial Centre, and the Museum of the Future. Organised by the UAE Government Media Office under the theme ‘Content for Good,’ the event attracted over 15,000 attendees, including content creators, influencers, and industry leaders, further cementing Dubai’s status as a global hub for creativity and innovation.
Two start-ups, UAE-based Halo AI and South Korea’s Eugenius, were awarded funding of AED22 million and AED11.5 million, respectively, to scale their innovative projects. Halo AI leverages artificial intelligence to streamline brand-influencer collaborations, reducing manual processes and enabling marketing campaigns to launch in just 15 minutes. Eugenius, led by entertainment industry veteran Eugenia Jung, plans to produce diverse content, including documentaries and collaborative projects connecting K-Pop stars with Middle Eastern talent.
Additionally, Taa Marbouta and Pensell were awarded the top prize of US$1 million, selected from 500 applications spanning 40 countries. The winners demonstrated exceptional creativity and innovation, aligning with the UAE’s broader commitment to fostering the creative economy as a driver of sustainable development.
H.H. Sheikha Latifa commended the winners for their visionary projects, stating, “The UAE leadership is dedicated to investing in minds and fostering opportunities for innovative ideas to thrive. The ‘1 Billion Pitches’ programme serves as a vital platform, connecting investors with content creators to drive impactful projects that shape the future of creative industries.”
The summit also announced a strategic partnership with Shorooq Partners, an Abu Dhabi-based investment firm, pledging AED50 million to support the competition. This funding underscores the UAE’s commitment to nurturing talent and fostering innovation in the creative economy.
The 1 Billion Followers Summit jury, composed of leading experts, investors, and strategic partners, evaluated pitches based on criteria such as innovation, market potential, scalability, and social impact. Participants also benefited from mentorship and training programmes to refine their pitches and prepare for future funding opportunities.
With this year’s groundbreaking initiatives and collaborations, the 1 Billion Followers Summit continues to amplify the UAE’s role as a global leader in creativity, innovation, and sustainable development.