UAE 100 Dreams: 100 Creators to Get $10,000 Each to Start a Business
The UAE's new 100 Dreams initiative will give 100 aspiring creators and entrepreneurs about AED 36,700 each plus six weeks of free training. Here is who can apply and how.
By Vadim Kouznetsov, published
The UAE has announced 100 Dreams, a new initiative that will give 100 aspiring content creators and entrepreneurs $10,000 each, about AED 36,700, to turn their ideas into businesses. Each person selected will also get six weeks of free business training and mentorship, Khaleej Times reported.
If you have a creative project you have always treated as a hobby, this is a chance to test whether it can become a company.
What is the UAE 100 Dreams initiative?
100 Dreams was announced as part of the fifth edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit. The summit is organised by the UAE Government Media Office under the theme 'Content for Good' and takes place from January 8 to 10, 2027.
The initiative was launched with British entrepreneur and content creator Simon Squibb and is supported by the National Media Authority. For background on the previous edition, see our report on the 1 Billion Followers Summit creator accelerator.
Alia Al Hammadi, Vice Chairperson of the UAE Government Media Office and Deputy CEO of the summit, told Khaleej Times that content creators are "the entrepreneurs of the future". Her hope is that within 10 years one of the 100 businesses becomes a unicorn.
What selected creators will get
According to Khaleej Times, each of the 100 participants will receive:
- $10,000 in funding, about AED 36,700
- Six weeks of free business training and mentorship, led by Squibb, who has an online following of 27 million
- Practical coaching on branding, sales, securing sponsorships, social media algorithms and growing an audience
- Access to the UAE business ecosystem, including potential residency and further support
Maitha Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of Media Strategy and Policy at the National Media Authority, said the accelerator is what sets the initiative apart. Squibb will bring in his network of business, marketing and technology experts. The authority will focus on partnerships, clear business processes and protection of intellectual property.
Who can apply for 100 Dreams funding
The initiative is open to aspiring content creators and entrepreneurs with an idea they want to build into a sustainable business. Full eligibility rules, such as age, nationality or residency, have not been published yet.
Squibb said he will look for four qualities: purpose, energy, authenticity and capability. He added that there will be specific criteria around the application process and financial requirements. Having invested in 87 companies, he said he can usually spot potential quickly.
Al Hammadi said selection will also depend on what the applicant needs and how unique the idea is.
How to apply for the 100 Dreams initiative
Applications are not open yet, but you can get ready now:
- Join the waiting list on the initiative's website, which Al Hammadi said is open now.
- Watch for submissions to open, expected by November 20.
- Prepare a clear pitch: what your idea is, what makes it different and what you need to grow it.
- Show the four qualities Squibb named, with real examples of your work and audience.
- Check the licence rules. Creators who earn from content in the UAE need the right permits, as explained in our guide to UAE influencer business licences.
With thousands of ideas potentially competing for 100 places, a focused, honest application is likely to stand out more than a polished one with no substance.
Key takeaway
100 Dreams will back 100 aspiring creators and entrepreneurs with $10,000 each and six weeks of free training. Join the waiting list now and prepare your pitch before submissions are expected to open by November 20.
FAQ
How much funding does the 100 Dreams initiative give?
Each of the 100 selected participants will receive $10,000, about AED 36,700. They also get six weeks of free business training and mentorship.
When do 100 Dreams applications open?
According to Al Hammadi, submissions are expected to open by November 20. Until then you can join the waiting list through the initiative's website.
Who is behind the 100 Dreams initiative?
It is part of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, organised by the UAE Government Media Office. It was launched with entrepreneur Simon Squibb and is supported by the National Media Authority.
Do I need to be a UAE resident to apply?
Khaleej Times did not report residency or nationality rules. Squibb said specific application and financial criteria will be set out, so check them when submissions open.
When is the 1 Billion Followers Summit 2027?
The summit runs from January 8 to 10, 2027, under the theme 'Content for Good'.
Further reading
The UAE week, every Monday
The week's stories on jobs, visas, money and daily life in one short email. Unsubscribe in one click.
