Chtrbox plants its first global flag in Dubai to crack the Middle East

NATIONAL: Chtrbox has taken its first step outside India, setting up Dubai as its global hub and gateway to the Middle East in a bid to build a cross-border creator economy linking high-growth markets.

The publicly listed creator-economy firm said the move gives it a base to connect creators, brands and platforms across India and the Gulf, turning one-off influencer campaigns into longer-term commercial ecosystems.

The expansion is being led by Chtrbox managing director and CEO and the former country head of Tiktok India Raj Mishra, who built the short-video platform’s creator network from scratch before it was banned. He will steer creator acquisition, partnerships with platforms and brands, and potential investments and M&A in the region.

“The creator economy is moving beyond borders, and the real opportunity lies in connecting markets like India and the Middle East,” Mishra said, calling Dubai a launchpad for talent exchange, partnerships and capital.

Qyou Media CEO and co-founder Curt Marvis, Chtrbox’s parent, said the Middle East push marks a key step in building a global creator platform, pairing Mishra’s scaling experience with Dubai’s role as a gateway to one of the fastest-growing influencer markets.

From its new base, Chtrbox plans to deepen collaboration between Indian and Middle Eastern creators, support brands operating across both regions and play a bigger role in shaping the Gulf’s fast-evolving digital content and influencer-marketing scene.

The company said it would continue to prioritise disciplined growth and governance as it takes its creator-economy model beyond India.