Kickstarter Teams Up with Alibaba for a $1 Million Global Pitch Competition in 2025

Kickstarter and Alibaba Join Forces for CoCreate Pitch 2025

In an exciting development for entrepreneurs worldwide, Alibaba.com has announced a partnership with Kickstarter, making the latter the official crowdfunding partner for the CoCreate Pitch 2025. This initiative will offer a whopping $1 million prize pool aimed at empowering emerging business owners to transform their innovative product ideas into reality.

From securing initial funding to leveraging extensive distribution networks, this partnership aims to streamline the path from conception to market for startups. With Alibaba.com being a global leader in B2B e-commerce and Kickstarter famed for its creative crowdfunding platform, the collaboration merges two powerful ecosystems, bringing together over 23 million Kickstarter backers and Alibaba.com's expansive network of 50 million buyers and 200,000 suppliers across 200+ countries.

Mission and Vision

Kuo Zhang, Alibaba.com's President, expressed the vision behind this collaboration: "Our mission has always been to make it easy to do business anywhere. We continuously evolve our offerings to support entrepreneurs, from sourcing to cutting-edge innovations. This partnership with Kickstarter strengthens our commitment to bridging ideas with execution. Through CoCreate Pitch, we aim to not only provide funding but also essential tools and expertise needed for entrepreneurs to thrive on a global stage."

Everette Taylor, the CEO of Kickstarter, echoed similar sentiments: "Over the years, we've witnessed how a single idea backed by a supportive community can turn into something extraordinary. We're thrilled to participate in this initiative and assist finalists in bringing their dreams to life with our passionate backing community."

The Competitive Landscape

As part of the CoCreate initiative, the CoCreate Pitch is heralded as the largest product-focused pitch competition worldwide. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply, with 100 semi-finalists expected to showcase their ideas at prominent events in Las Vegas (September 4-5, 2025) and London (November 14, 2025). The two grand prize winners—one from each location—will walk away with $200,000 each, while an additional 20 winners will receive up to $40,000.

Participants will gain free access to Alibaba.com's sourcing tools and extensive supplier networks, providing a comprehensive support system from initial pitch to commercialization.

Collaborative Platforms

A key aspect of this partnership is the launch of joint digital portals on both Kickstarter.com and AlibabaCoCreate.com, providing participants with tailored resources and easier entries into the competition. Additionally, Kickstarter will contribute to a panel discussion during CoCreate 2025, focusing on alternative funding avenues, and Everette Taylor will serve as a judge for the pitch competition.

Winners who are selected to launch their campaigns on Kickstarter within a year of the competition will enjoy exclusive benefits, including prime visibility on the platform's homepage, newsletter features, and expert coaching.

How to Participate

Aspiring entrepreneurs can enter the CoCreate Pitch by posting a concise 30-second video on Instagram or TikTok with the hashtag #CoCreatePitch and tagging @Alibaba.com_official. Alternatively, they can fill out an entry form on AlibabaCoCreate's website. The deadlines for submissions are August 15th for the Las Vegas event and October 15th for the London event. Submissions will be assessed on innovation, feasibility, and potential market impact, with finalists judged by a reputable panel of investors and industry experts.

For more information about the CoCreate Pitch or to apply, interested individuals can visit Alibaba CoCreate's website.

In summary, this collaboration sets the stage for a new era of entrepreneurship, combining the strengths of crowdfunding and e-commerce to empower a fresh wave of innovators eager to make their mark on the global marketplace. Now, more than ever, resources are available to turn creative visions into successful realities, paving the way for the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.