Alibaba.com launches £750,000 pitch competition for UK and European SMEs
The Chinese e-commerce giant is bringing its global product pitch contest to London for the first time, offering UK and European small businesses a shot at a £150,000 grand prize.
Alibaba.com is inviting small and medium-sized businesses across the UK and Europe to pitch their product ideas for a share of £750,000, as the Chinese e-commerce platform expands its CoCreate competition beyond the United States for the first time.
The competition, called CoCreate Pitch, asks entrepreneurs to submit a 30-second video on Instagram or TikTok explaining their product concept, using the hashtag #CoCreatePitch. Entries will be judged on innovation, feasibility and market potential. Finalists will then pitch live at CoCreate Europe, a new trade event in London on 14th November, before a panel of investors and industry figures.
One grand winner in London will receive a prize package worth £150,000. A further 20 winners from around the world will each get up to £30,000 in funding. Every entrant will gain free access to Alibaba.com's AI-powered sourcing tools and supplier network.
From Las Vegas to London
CoCreate began in Las Vegas in 2023, attracting more than 2,000 SMEs last year. This year's Las Vegas edition is expected to host over 3,000 businesses, while the inaugural London event is forecast to draw more than 1,000. The two-continent format marks a significant expansion for the programme.
Kuo Zhang, president of Alibaba.com, said: "This year, we're thrilled to open CoCreate Pitch to entrepreneurs in both Europe and the US. We can't wait to see the product dreams of the brightest SMEs come to life on stage."
The company's European push comes as its platform sees strong momentum in France, the UK, Italy and Germany. Liz Wang, global head of commercial strategy at Alibaba.com, said the "can-do" spirit of SMEs had always inspired the CoCreate initiative. "From ideation to production, financing to mentorship, we're here to help them 'make it'," she added.
What's on offer
Beyond the prize money, CoCreate Europe is designed as a networking event where buyers and sellers can forge partnerships and explore the latest in AI-powered sourcing, e-commerce tools and supply chain strategy. Alibaba.com is positioning it as a platform that can turn ideas into prototypes and help SMEs scale over the next 12 months.
Entries are open now. SMEs can apply by posting a 30-second video to Instagram or TikTok with the hashtag #CoCreatePitch and tagging @Alibaba.com_official, or by submitting through the official online form.
