1 Billion Followers Summit Keynote (Jan 2026)

Missed my keynote at the 1 Billion Followers Summit?

I broke down the data from all 81 creator economy acquisitions last year. Here are the highlights:

📈 Annual deal volume increased 17% YoY, resulting in the biggest year on record for creator economy M&A.

🌍 North America dominated, with 71% of transactions, followed by Europe (21.5%) and Asia (3.8%).

🤝 Primary acquisition targets included software (26%), agencies (21%), media (16%), and talent management (14%). Despite rising deal volumes, the category mix remained remarkably consistent YoY, suggesting broad-based conviction rather than a single trend-driven surge.

💰 Average transaction sizes increased meaningfully, and landmark deals like Bending Spoons x Vimeo, Later x Mavely, and Publicis x Captiv8 set strong valuation benchmarks.

🔮 We expect even more deals in 2026, driven by an increase in creator-founded company exits, more picks-and-shovels acquisitions, and non-endemic buyers entering the space.

I also break down typical valuation multiples, buyer archetypes, and practical tips for founders planning for an exit.

🔗 Watch the full keynote presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mNscZR5cek&feature=youtu.be