FiveTwoNine, the global creator platform and community, and Billion Dollar Boy, the global leader in creator-led brand building, have teamed up with Patreon, the network where creators and fans mutually invest in creative culture, to relaunch The Creator Fund in affiliation with Cannes Lions 2026.

Now in its second year, The Creator Fund identifies and supports the next generation of creative entrepreneurs building original formats, businesses and audiences within the creator economy.

As Cannes Lions remains the industry’s most recognized stage for creative achievement, a goal of The Fund is to ensure creators are not on the sidelines, but actively integrated into key industry conversations. 

But, the initiative is not simply about event attendance. It is a structured access platform selecting high-potential creators at a pivotal stage in their careers and supporting them before, during and after Cannes Lions. 

Specifically, The Creator Fund provides introductions to decision-makers, organizes curated programming, and offers on-the-ground guidance that converts access into tangible business opportunity.

With Patreon joining as a sponsor in 2026, the initiative expands its reach and long-term impact. As a platform powering independent creator communities and businesses, Patreon’s participation reinforces the Fund’s focus on sustainable, audience-first entrepreneurship.

Independent Jury of Industry Leaders

Recipients are selected by an independent jury of senior leaders from across the creator economy, ensuring a rigorous and merit-based process recognizing originality, ambition and entrepreneurial potential.

Selection represents recognition of creativity at a defining moment in a creator’s career.

This year’s jury for The Creator Fund for Cannes Lions includes:

The 2026 Creator Application Process

FiveTwoNine and Billion Dollar Boy will fund and award 20 Creator Passes for successful applicants to attend Cannes Lions 2026, worth $1,724 (€1,494) each.

Applicants should demonstrate:

  • 20K+ followers on primary platform (or 5,000 followers on Patreon) and consistent creative output
  • Original, distinctive content
  • Strong engagement and growth
  • Clear entrepreneurial ambition
  • First-time interest in attending Cannes Lions

Creators can submit their application via a form to The Creator Fund for Cannes Lions here.  Applications close March 22, 2026. Winners will be announced April 14, 2026. Full terms and conditions apply.

Expanding The Creator Fund’s Impact 

The Creator Fund continues to expand as a long-term platform for identifying and accelerating high-potential creator entrepreneurs.

To date, the fund has directly invested in creators by equipping them with career development opportunities, and ensuring access to tentpole industry events, including: Cannes Lions, CreatorFest Europe, Art Basel, and local NYC creator community events. 

FiveTwoNine and Billion Dollar Boy welcome brand partners who share a commitment to investing in the next generation of creative leadership and who want to play an active role in supporting emerging talent at pivotal industry moments.

The Initiative’s Breakout First Year 

Through the 2025 initiative, FiveTwoNine and Billion Dollar Boy funded and awarded 20 Creator Passes to Cannes Lions. 

However, the impact extended far beyond entry to the Festival. Recipients were integrated into exclusive FiveTwoNine programming, private roundtables and curated meet-and-greets with brand leaders. 

Several winners secured brand partnerships, including opportunities with global advertisers such as Dove, while others landed stage talks alongside senior leaders across platforms and agencies.

An independent jury selected creators with a combined 14.5 million followers, recognizing originality, ambition, cultural vision and entrepreneurial drive. 

2025 recipients included: 

 

Joel Marlinarson, 2025 winner, stated: “It was a surreal, fast paced experience. I felt like I was experiencing a noticeable shift as it seemed more creators were there and ‘belonging’, instead of feeling like outsiders.”

Simi Adeshina, 2025 winner, shared: “I knew I’d come away from it feeling inspired and I’m happy to say I’m riding that buzz right now! I’m more motivated than ever to scale up my production so a huge thanks for the opportunity.”

Billion Dollar Boy at Cannes Lions

In addition to funding creator passes to the Festival, Billion Dollar Boy will host an exclusive event at Cannes Lions on June 24th sponsored by Patreon. 

The event will bring together leading creators and key industry players to explore the future of entertainment and entrepreneurship within the creator economy. More event details will be shared soon. 

For more information on The Creator Fund or to apply, visit FiveTwoNine.

Becky Owen, Global Head of FiveTwoNine and Global CMO of Billion Dollar Boy, said:

“Last year’s response to The Creator Fund for Cannes Lions exceeded our expectations. But more importantly, we saw first-hand what happens when access is intentional. We did not simply provide entry to Cannes Lions. We supported winners at every stage, helping them navigate the festival, hosting dedicated events, connecting them directly with brands and working alongside them to secure speaking opportunities and long-term relationships.

“We launched The Creator Fund because creators deserve a seat at the table. Too often, the people shaping modern creativity are missing from the rooms where the industry’s biggest decisions are made. Not because they lack talent, but because the barriers to entry are financial and structural.

“In just one year, we have seen creators secure brand partnerships, land stage talks and build relationships that continued long after the festival ended. That progress gave us the conviction to return in 2026 and expand the initiative.

“With Patreon joining us this year, we are deepening our commitment to creators building sustainable, independent businesses. The Creator Fund is about more than access. It is about recognising entrepreneurial talent, opening real doors and ensuring that the next generation of creative leaders is positioned at the centre of the industry’s future. We are also grateful to Cannes Lions for continuing to evolve and expand creator presence and programming across the Festival.”

Lina Renzina, Head of Top Creator Management at Patreon, Said: 

“Creators building direct-to-fan communities are laying the foundation for independent businesses, but many need better access to the partners, resources, and opportunities that make long-term sustainability possible. That is exactly what Patreon is here to do. With Cannes Lions increasing its spotlight on the creator economy, we’re proud to team up with Billion Dollar Boy and FiveTwoNine on The Creator Fund — connecting creators with the relationships, resources, and visibility they need to scale and deepen the communities they’ve worked so hard to build. I’m personally looking forward to serving on the judging panel, and bringing more emerging creators to this international celebration of creativity.”

Ed Davidson, VP Chief Growth Officer, LIONS, said: 

“We’re delighted to see Billion Dollar Boy bring back The Creator Fund for a second year. LIONS Creators celebrates the creative brilliance of the creator economy while advancing creators’ role as a vital force within today’s creative community – shaping culture and redefining how brands connect with their audiences.

“Through this partnership, we’re proud to support creative talent and help open the doors of

Cannes Lions to creator entrepreneurs. Initiatives like The Creator Fund play an important role in ensuring the Festival reflects the full breadth of modern creativity and the people driving the industry forward. We look forward to welcoming the 2026 cohort to Cannes.”

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