Launch of New Phase in Athlete365 Business Accelerator with Alibaba Support
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has teamed up with Alibaba.com to launch the first phase of the fourth edition of their Athlete365 Business Accelerator programme. This initiative is specifically designed to help current and former elite athletes transition from sports to entrepreneurship, capitalizing on the unique skills they have developed through their athletic careers.
Alibaba.com, as the inaugural e-commerce services partner for the Olympic and Paralympic movements, is taking a significant step in this collaboration by providing essential resources such as educational tools, mentoring services, and funding to participating athletes. The Athlete365 Business Accelerator aims to equip athletes with the knowledge and skills necessary to build and manage effective business ventures.
This year’s edition has drawn a remarkable response, with hundreds of athletes from diverse backgrounds applying for the program. According to the latest data, applications have come from various corners of the globe: 38% from Europe, 20% from Africa, 17% from North America, 13% from the Asia-Pacific region, and 12% from South America. Notably, over half (55%) of these applicants have previously represented their nations at the Olympics. At the same time, 46% are still actively competing while expressing an interest in entrepreneurship.
In terms of entrepreneurial aspirations, the data highlights that 56% of the applicants have already conceptualized business ideas, while 17% have developed initial prototypes. Additionally, about 12% have set up businesses that are generating regular revenues. This edition of the Athlete365 programme is structured to unfold in multiple phases, focusing on critical areas of business knowledge and the fundamentals of e-commerce and global trade. The curriculum will cover topics such as global sourcing and business-to-business (B2B) export through digital platforms. Athletes will also gain insights into Alibaba.com's advanced artificial intelligence tools, which are revolutionizing the sourcing process for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), making it easier for them to find products and connect with suppliers worldwide.
The programme kicks off on December 3rd with an open-access masterclass led by Alibaba's global brand ambassador, Tony Parker, who is both a two-time Olympian and a successful entrepreneur. This session is designed for anyone interested in learning about his transformative journey from a sports star to a business leader. Following the masterclass, participants can expect a comprehensive lineup of online lessons, virtual bootcamps starting from December 9th, and personalized mentoring sessions with Alibaba's experts. These offerings will aim to provide athletes with the knowledge to develop their ideas, models, and an understanding of e-commerce fundamentals.
According to reports from Alibaba.com, a concerning 63% of former athletes face difficulties in finding new career paths after their sports careers conclude. Therefore, this programme is especially critical, as it partners with the IOC to create viable opportunities that can facilitate a smooth transition into entrepreneurship. This initiative enables athletes to leverage their competitive skills and work ethic to achieve success beyond just their sporting endeavors.
Anne-Sophie Voumard, Managing Director of IOC Television Marketing Services, emphasized the critical role of Olympic partners in supporting athletes. She states that, "Through initiatives like the Athlete365 Business Accelerator, we are harnessing the expertise and resources of Partners like Alibaba.com to empower athletes with skills and opportunities that extend beyond their sporting careers." Kuo Zhang, President of Alibaba.com, echoes this sentiment, noting the similarities between successful athletes and entrepreneurs in terms of their determination and willingness to take risks. He remarks, "At Alibaba.com, we want to make the transition to e-commerce and entrepreneurship seamless and are excited to support the Athlete365 Business Accelerator programme."
This comprehensive initiative demonstrates the commitment of the IOC and Alibaba.com to ensure that athletes have the tools, guidance, and opportunities for success, both during and after their sports careers. The Athlete365 community, dedicated to supporting elite athletes and Olympians, continues to provide a vital platform for advice and resources, fostering a supportive environment for their new ventures. For those interested in exploring business opportunities through this programme, more information can be found on the official Athlete365 website.
Alibaba.com, as the inaugural e-commerce services partner for the Olympic and Paralympic movements, is taking a significant step in this collaboration by providing essential resources such as educational tools, mentoring services, and funding to participating athletes. The Athlete365 Business Accelerator aims to equip athletes with the knowledge and skills necessary to build and manage effective business ventures.
This year’s edition has drawn a remarkable response, with hundreds of athletes from diverse backgrounds applying for the program. According to the latest data, applications have come from various corners of the globe: 38% from Europe, 20% from Africa, 17% from North America, 13% from the Asia-Pacific region, and 12% from South America. Notably, over half (55%) of these applicants have previously represented their nations at the Olympics. At the same time, 46% are still actively competing while expressing an interest in entrepreneurship.
In terms of entrepreneurial aspirations, the data highlights that 56% of the applicants have already conceptualized business ideas, while 17% have developed initial prototypes. Additionally, about 12% have set up businesses that are generating regular revenues. This edition of the Athlete365 programme is structured to unfold in multiple phases, focusing on critical areas of business knowledge and the fundamentals of e-commerce and global trade. The curriculum will cover topics such as global sourcing and business-to-business (B2B) export through digital platforms. Athletes will also gain insights into Alibaba.com's advanced artificial intelligence tools, which are revolutionizing the sourcing process for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), making it easier for them to find products and connect with suppliers worldwide.
The programme kicks off on December 3rd with an open-access masterclass led by Alibaba's global brand ambassador, Tony Parker, who is both a two-time Olympian and a successful entrepreneur. This session is designed for anyone interested in learning about his transformative journey from a sports star to a business leader. Following the masterclass, participants can expect a comprehensive lineup of online lessons, virtual bootcamps starting from December 9th, and personalized mentoring sessions with Alibaba's experts. These offerings will aim to provide athletes with the knowledge to develop their ideas, models, and an understanding of e-commerce fundamentals.
According to reports from Alibaba.com, a concerning 63% of former athletes face difficulties in finding new career paths after their sports careers conclude. Therefore, this programme is especially critical, as it partners with the IOC to create viable opportunities that can facilitate a smooth transition into entrepreneurship. This initiative enables athletes to leverage their competitive skills and work ethic to achieve success beyond just their sporting endeavors.
Anne-Sophie Voumard, Managing Director of IOC Television Marketing Services, emphasized the critical role of Olympic partners in supporting athletes. She states that, "Through initiatives like the Athlete365 Business Accelerator, we are harnessing the expertise and resources of Partners like Alibaba.com to empower athletes with skills and opportunities that extend beyond their sporting careers." Kuo Zhang, President of Alibaba.com, echoes this sentiment, noting the similarities between successful athletes and entrepreneurs in terms of their determination and willingness to take risks. He remarks, "At Alibaba.com, we want to make the transition to e-commerce and entrepreneurship seamless and are excited to support the Athlete365 Business Accelerator programme."
This comprehensive initiative demonstrates the commitment of the IOC and Alibaba.com to ensure that athletes have the tools, guidance, and opportunities for success, both during and after their sports careers. The Athlete365 community, dedicated to supporting elite athletes and Olympians, continues to provide a vital platform for advice and resources, fostering a supportive environment for their new ventures. For those interested in exploring business opportunities through this programme, more information can be found on the official Athlete365 website.
Topics Sports）
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