Creator Economy Attracts $1.7B Investment, Signals Entrepreneurship Shift

The creator economy is rapidly evolving into a mature industry where creators are recognized as serious entrepreneurs attracting significant investment, with U.S. startups raising about $1.7 billion in 2024 alone. This shift is driven by creators' measurable impact on sales and ROI, prompting brands to substantially increase budgets for creator marketing, as seen during the 2025 Super Bowl where influencer marketing budgets grew by 25%-35%. Alongside this growth, the number of jobs in the creator economy has surged by nearly 37% in 2025, and startups are developing financial and operational tools to support creators' transition into scalable business owners. Initiatives like Rhonesha Byng's BOMESI accelerator are helping Black creators gain capital, visibility, and sustainability, highlighting the importance of equity and inclusion in the creator space. Meanwhile, young entrepreneurs in finance and venture capital, such as Gaby Rosenberg with Blossom App, are breaking down barriers by making investment products more accessible, appealing particularly to millennials. Together, these trends illustrate a broader democratization and professionalization of digital entrepreneurship across finance and creative sectors.