Alibaba.com, a leading B2B e-commerce platform, announced on July 22, 2025, that Kickstarter has been named the official Crowdfunding Partner for CoCreate Pitch 2025, a $1 million global pitch competition to empower entrepreneurs from prototype to global distribution. This partnership unites Kickstarter’s community of 23 million backers, who have pledged over $8.5 billion to creative projects, with Alibaba.com’s network of 50 million buyers and 200,000 suppliers across 200+ countries, enhanced by AI-powered sourcing tools like Accio.
Announced July 22, 2025; CoCreate Pitch events in Las Vegas (Sept 4–5, 2025) and London (Nov 14, 2025).
$1M prize pool: 2 grand winners ($200,000 each), 20 winners (up to $40,000 each).
100 semi-finalists: 70 in Las Vegas, 30 in London; judged on innovation, feasibility, market potential.
Kickstarter’s Everette Taylor joins judging panel; offers coaching for winners.
All participants get free access to Alibaba.com’s AI tools and supplier network.
Alibaba.com reports 27% YoY order growth, 38% rise in European buyers.
The collaboration bridges crowdfunding and global commerce, offering entrepreneurs funding, visibility, and supply chain support. “At Alibaba.com, our mission has always been to make it easy to do business anywhere,” said Kuo Zhang, President of Alibaba.com. “This partnership with Kickstarter aligns perfectly with that mission, creating a stronger bridge between idea and execution.” Everette Taylor, CEO of Kickstarter, added, “Over the past 16 years at Kickstarter, we’ve seen how a single idea – when met with a community that believes in it – can become something real.” Kickstarter will lead a panel on alternative funding models and provide coaching for winners launching campaigns within 12 months, with benefits like homepage features and newsletter placements.
CoCreate Pitch, part of Alibaba.com’s flagship CoCreate event, invites global SMEs to apply by August 15, 2025 (Las Vegas) or October 15, 2025 (London). Entrepreneurs submit a 30-second video on Instagram or TikTok with #CoCreatePitch and @Alibaba.com_official or via https://pitch.alibabacocreate.com. The competition, spanning 2–4 months, evaluates submissions on innovation, feasibility, and market potential. Finalists pitch live, with two grand champions (one per event) receiving $200,000 (50% cash, 50% Alibaba.com credits) and 20 winners receiving up to $40,000 each. All participants gain access to Alibaba.com’s AI tools and supplier network.
Alibaba.com, part of Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group, reported $33.5 billion in Q2 2025 revenue, up 4% YoY, with a 27% increase in orders and a 38% rise in European buyers. Kickstarter, a Public Benefit Corporation, has funded 275,000 projects since 2009. The partnership leverages Alibaba.com’s B2B ecosystem and Kickstarter’s crowdfunding expertise, addressing the $5.4 trillion global SME market’s need for accessible funding and supply chain solutions. CoCreate 2024 saw 53.8% attendance growth, with over 2,000 attendees, signaling strong demand for such initiatives.
The global crowdfunding market, valued at $17 billion in 2025, is projected to reach $25 billion by 2030, while B2B e-commerce is expected to hit $36 trillion by 2026. This partnership positions Alibaba.com and Kickstarter to capitalize on these trends, rivaling platforms like Indiegogo and Shopify by offering end-to-end support from ideation to distribution. The CoCreate Pitch’s focus on SMEs aligns with the 2025 MSME Day, emphasizing resilience amid economic challenges, with Alibaba.com noting a 54% rise in Vietnamese product listings.
Alibaba.com and Kickstarter’s partnership for CoCreate Pitch 2025 creates a powerful launchpad for SMEs, combining crowdfunding with global supply chain access. With $1 million in prizes and extensive support, the competition is set to drive innovation and empower entrepreneurs worldwide.
Launched in 1999, Alibaba.com is a leading platform for global business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce that serves buyers and suppliers from over 200 countries and regions around the world. It is engaged in services covering various aspects of commerce, including providing businesses with tools that help them reach a global audience for their products and helping buyers discover products, find suppliers and place orders online fast and efficiently. Alibaba.com is part of Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group.
Kickstarter is on a mission to bring creative projects to life. As the leading crowdfunding and launch platform, Kickstarter is home to the world's largest backer community — 23 million strong and counting. Since 2009, the platform has fueled innovation across 15 categories, helping over 275,000 projects get funded and attracting more than $8 billion in pledges from backers.
As a Public Benefit Corporation, Kickstarter is committed to equity and transparency, prioritizing the success of independent creators, diverse perspectives, and the strength of a global community that shapes and defines culture.
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