CMA becomes first government partner of Ethara 1TW Innovation Hub

The Creative Media Authority (CMA) has entered a strategic partnership with Ethara’s 1TW Innovation Hub (E1H), becoming the Hub’s first Government Partner and its official partner for Content and New Media. The agreement strengthens nationwide efforts to nurture emerging sports innovation talent and supports Abu Dhabi’s goal of building a world-class creative media ecosystem.

As the body responsible for developing and regulating Abu Dhabi’s creative media sector, CMA works to empower creators, producers and entrepreneurs by fostering an environment for sustainable careers aligned with the UAE’s cultural and economic ambitions. Under the new partnership, young creators and early-stage founders in sports innovation and emerging content fields will have access to mentorship, advisory services and technical guidance from CMA experts.

CMA is already expanding pathways for youth talent across the emirate through diverse initiatives delivered with Creative Lab, Arab Film Studio and the Abu Dhabi Film Commission. These programmes give young people practical experience, industry exposure and valuable professional connections that can lead to careers in the creative sector. The collaboration with E1H builds on this foundation, creating additional entry points into the sports innovation space and giving emerging founders opportunities to develop their concepts into market-ready ventures. The partnership aligns with national efforts to grow a knowledge-based creative economy and empower the UAE’s next generation of innovators.

As part of the agreement, CMA will participate in E1H’s annual incubator, accelerator and venture programmes by contributing to advisory and selection panels and offering regulatory and licensing support to entrepreneurs establishing creative media businesses in Abu Dhabi. CMA will also support the E1H Entrepreneurs Studio, which will introduce a series of programmes in 2026 aimed at university students and recent graduates. These initiatives will provide early talent with direct access to industry leaders and insights into evolving opportunities in sports innovation and creative entrepreneurship.

Mohamed Dobay, Acting Director General at the Creative Media Authority, said: “Our partnership with E1H reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to supporting the next generation of creative talent and emerging founders. CMA continues to create opportunities for young creators across our programmes, and this collaboration extends that support into the growing field of sports innovation. Working with E1H will help founders and creators develop their ideas, gain industry experience and build sustainable careers from Abu Dhabi as part of the emirate’s wider vision for a thriving creative economy.”

Saif Rashid Al Noaimi, Chief Executive of Ethara, added: “We are delighted to welcome the Creative Media Authority as our first government partner in the E1H ecosystem. Working together in recent years, most notably our recent collaboration on F1 The Movie has delivered strong results for Abu Dhabi. This partnership is a natural progression that will give emerging creators and entrepreneurs access to valuable expertise and support as they develop new ideas in sports and entertainment innovation.”

Established by Ethara and ONETOWATCH, E1H supports sports and entertainment entrepreneurs by providing access to expertise, commercial opportunities and capital. Its inaugural cohort wrapped in June 2025 with pitches at the Yas Conference Centre, and several founders are now exploring future collaborations with Ethara ahead of the next cohort in early 2026.

The partnership between CMA and E1H reinforces the UAE’s commitment to innovation, talent development and future-focused creative industries, strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for sports innovation, creative entrepreneurship and new media.