Alibaba is searching to find the world’s best internet entrepreneurs

Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba has launched its global pitching competition, the Create@Alibaba Cloud Start-up Contest (CACSC), with a goal to identify the top entrepreneurs working in the internet space.  

A global pitching competition, seven successful UK start-ups will be selected for Create@Alibaba by judges following a London heat on June 14, with one overall UK winner selected to travel to the world final in Shanghai, China.

All seven regional winners will receive a range of rewards including $10,000 credit to use on Alibaba Cloud’s services, one month of hot desk usage at Cocoon Networks, access to Alibaba’s investment interviews, and recommendations by VC investors.

The overall UK winner, known as the London Division Champion, will receive an additional $50,000 in credit to use Alibaba Cloud, three months’ hot desk use at Cocoon Networks, and a pass to the world finals in Shanghai.

First launched in 2015, this year’s competition will see regional contests held in the USA, France, Germany, UAE, India, South Korea, India, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia and Australia.

Last year’s UK winner was commercial social media software product Jambo which allows users instantly connect and network with others in their area.

Talking to Alibaba Cloud’s blog, Jambo founder Laura Stembridge said the CACSC is a great platform for start-ups targeting the Chinese market, and also expressed her gratitude to Cocoon Networks for helping local British start-ups break into the Asian market.

A spokesperson for Alibaba said: “We see a big interest in the competition and I think it could bring many benefits to start-ups.”

For more information on the competition and for details on how to apply click here. Applications close June 7.