Latifa Bint Mohammed Celebrates Start-Ups At The 1 Billion Pitches Competition For Creative Innovation

H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, recognised the leading start-ups chosen by the jury of the '1 Billion Pitches' competition. These start-ups received funding and support to advance their innovative ideas in content creation. UAE-based Halo AI and South Korea's Eugenius are among those funded, receiving AED22 million and AED11.5 million respectively.

The winners of the '1 Billion Pitches' competition were awarded US$1 million each. Taa Marbouta and Pensell were honoured for their contributions, aligning with the region's commitment to fostering innovation and enhancing the creative economy's role in sustainable development. The awards were presented during the third edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit 2025, a major event dedicated to the content creator economy.

The summit was organised by the UAE Government Media Office from 11th to 13th January at iconic venues in Dubai, including Emirates Towers, Dubai International Financial Centre, and the Museum of the Future. Under the theme 'Content for Good,' it gathered over 15,000 content creators and influencers, more than 420 speakers, and 125 CEOs and global experts. This reinforced Dubai's status as a global hub for creativity and innovation.

H.H. Sheikha Latifa congratulated those who received funding through the '1 Billion Pitches' programme. She praised their innovative ideas and visionary projects that exemplify creativity, ambition, and forward-thinking. "The UAE leadership places great importance on investing in minds," she stated, emphasising nurturing creative talent and fostering opportunities for individuals to transform their ideas into impactful projects.

The summit announced a strategic partnership with Shorooq Partners, one of the largest alternative investment firms in the Arab world based in Abu Dhabi. This collaboration supports the '1 Billion Pitches' competition with a significant funding commitment of AED50 million. Of this amount, AED30 million is allocated as direct investment from Shorooq Partners, while an additional AED20 million is contributed by the summit.

Halo AI is an AI-powered platform that secured funding by streamlining brand-influencer collaborations within the creative economy. It connects brands with suitable content creators using AI technology to ensure alignment between brand values and influencer credibility. This automated system reduces manual processes by 80 percent, allowing marketing campaigns to launch in just 15 minutes.

Innovative Projects Gain Support

Eugenius was founded by Korean entertainment industry veteran Eugenia Jung. Her experience includes founding Disney+ Korea and producing titles for Disney+, HBO Asia, and MBC. Eugenius aims to create diverse television programming such as documentaries like 'Me and Carbon,' exploring global carbon issues; a football variety show linking K-Pop stars with former Premier League players in the Middle East; and a K-Pop Music Academy fostering collaboration between K-Pop artists and MENA-based talent.

The '1 Billion Pitches' competition was judged by a panel of experts from leading companies based on criteria like feasibility, market potential, innovation, scalability, social impact, execution strategy, marketing pitch quality, and team leadership. From 500 applications across 40 countries, 25 candidates presented their projects on day one of the summit.

Comprehensive Evaluation Process

The top ten candidates were shortlisted to pitch again on day two before two finalists competed for the top prize. The six-member jury included representatives from strategic partners like Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy alongside prominent experts and investors from firms such as Shorooq Partners, Beyond Capital, and BECO Capital.

Apart from competition activities at this year's summit were training sessions designed to enhance participants' pitches attract investors prepare them future funding rounds facilitated through partnerships like Beyond Capital offering expert-led sessions personalised guidance mentorship programmes tailored towards improving presentation skills securing investments expanding business ventures globally ensuring long-term success sustainability within creative industries worldwide contributing positively society overall economic growth development regionally internationally alike.

With inputs from WAM