Further initiatives of the Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft
We support talented creators with our Creator Lift program. The application phase runs until May 31.
role='presentation'Creators have become an integral part of our everyday digital lives. They inform, explain and entertain. Their content makes us think, makes us laugh - and sometimes makes us question our perspective.
We think some creators are great, others may not strike our chord. But regardless of this, they are part of today's media landscape, shaping debates and sometimes reaching more people than many media companies.
We are responding to this development with Creator Lift. In cooperation with strong partners from the creator economy, we have developed a tailor-made program to support ambitious creators in a more targeted way and to connect them more closely with Hamburg's media and digital industry. Our goal: to qualify aspiring creators with journalistic and entrepreneurial aspirations and, with the help of our network, to enable them to be successful in the creator economy in the long term.
How does that work? In two phases, we support you together with our partners in further developing your content strategy, building your creator brand, working with cooperation partners and much more.
You will receive: Relevant know-how, influential network contacts and individual support in developing your personal brand. So that you can create relevant, high-quality content and achieve commercial success not only during the program, but also afterwards.
When?
July to December 2026
Application phase: 26.3. to 31.5.2026
Where?
In Hamburg and remotely
The application phase for Creator Lift is open! You can now submit your application using the form. The application phase ends on 31.5.2026.
Apply here
Workshop and seminar program designed to support your personal development in areas such as content creation, brand building, and entrepreneurship, featuring the Professional Creator Program of the Hamburg Media School, the Google News Initiative and #usethenews.
Mentoring sessions with experts from the creator economy (e.g., established creators, management professionals, and platform representatives), including representatives from WeCreate, Justaddsugar, and RocketBeans
Peer learning & exchange sessions with the other creators in the program
Creators with journalistic and/or entrepreneurial aspirations: You should already be active as a creator and be able to demonstrate a corresponding profile with positive development
Creator Lift is is open to different kind of platforms and contentstyles. So it doesn’t matter whether you’re active on Instagram, TikTok, Twitch, YouTube, LinkedIn, or multiple platforms. There are also no restrictions on content, which can range from podcasts and vlogs to short-form content like Reels.
26.03.26 – 31.05.26Current
15.06.2026
02.07.2026
03.07.26 – 06.10.26
Qualification of participants through workshops, peer learning, exchange sessions and attendance at exclusive creator events.
07.10.2026
Further matching event: partners select 4 to 5 creators for the implementation of specific projects.
08.10.26 – 31.12.26
Co-creation phase: Concrete cooperation between partners and creators through financial and content-related support from the partners.
März 2027
Official closing event of Creator Lift.
You can apply using this form until May 31. To participate in the program, you must be at least 18 years old, be a resident of Germany, and your community focus should be on German users.
A minimum number of followers is not a requirement. We’re looking for people who value journalism, are interested in social issues, enjoy creating content, and want to establish themselves as creators. Experience as a creator is a plus, but not a requirement. What matters most is that we see potential—in the quality of the content, community engagement, and the direction of the brand.
Yes and no – you don’t have to live in Hamburg. However, parts of the program take place in Hamburg. During the co-creation phase, you’ll work directly with our Hamburg-based partner companies to decide how and where the joint project work will take place.
Our panel of experts evaluates all applications that meet the requirements based on the criteria of brand/content quality and development potential. From all the applications, the ten most promising candidates are selected to participate in the program. Following the qualification phase, the partner companies decide which creators they would like to continue working with during the matching event.
All participants will receive a stipend of 1,500 EUR for participating in Phase 1. In addition, individual arrangements may be made between the creators and the partner companies during Phase 2.
Yes, though it should be ensured that the creator’s career is pursued with the appropriate level of commitment and time investment (both within the program and beyond).
