The creator economy is progressing rapidly, and relying solely on ad revenue isn’t sufficient anymore. YouTubers are starting product lines, acquiring startups, and creating substantial business empires. For instance, MrBeast’s organization acquired fintech startup Step, and his chocolate enterprise is bringing in more revenue than his media segment. This isn’t limited to just one creator’s approach. For many, it’s the new standard.

In this episode of TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, hosts Kirsten Korosec, Anthony Ha, and Rebecca Bellan delve into how creators are extending their reach beyond ads, examining the potential for their models to succeed beyond the elite 1%, what is transpiring at India’s AI Impact Summit, and the most significant headlines of the week.