Alibaba.com has opened its CoCreate Pitch competition to small and medium‑size enterprises (SMEs) across Europe, creating a new route for firms – including those from Canada – to reach buyers throughout the continent.
Prize structure and judging criteria
The contest, billed as the world’s largest product‑based pitch event, will assess entries on three pillars: innovation, feasibility and market potential. Finalists will be invited to present at a live showcase during CoCreate Europe in London. The total prize pool amounts to £750,000. The grand champion in London will receive £150,000, and a further twenty global winners can each claim up to £30,000.
Support beyond cash
All participants are granted free access to Alibaba.com’s AI‑driven sourcing tools, its extensive supplier network and additional resources designed to help companies scale quickly.
Kuo Zhang, president of Alibaba.com, said: "the expansion reflects the company's commitment to supporting SMEs worldwide." Liz Wang, global head of commercial strategy, added: "the platform's AI‑driven sourcing and e‑commerce tools are essential for businesses looking to move from idea to production."
Canada’s trade links with the United Kingdom and the European Union have deepened in recent years, prompting many exporters to seek digital channels for market entry. By entering the competition, Canadian SMEs could benefit from the same AI‑powered supply‑chain insights already used by European firms, potentially shortening the time required to locate overseas partners.
Event scale and entry process
CoCreate Europe is expected to host more than 1,000 SMEs, while a parallel edition in Las Vegas will feature over 3,000 participants. Interested entrepreneurs can submit a short video on Instagram or TikTok using the hashtag #CoCreatePitch and tagging @Alibaba.com_official, or they may complete the official application form on the Alibaba.com website.
The details were first reported by the original source.