Alibaba.com will become an exclusive partner
to join the fourth edition of the Athlete365 Business Accelerator
program, offering e-commerce and global trade-focused training,
exclusive mentorship opportunities and accelerator packages
PARIS, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- At a grand launch
event in Paris today, Alibaba.com,
a leading platform for global business-to-business (B2B)
e-commerce, will announce it has become the first worldwide Olympic
and Paralympic e-commerce partner to join the fourth edition of the
Athlete365 Business Accelerator program ("Business Accelerator")—an
IOC-led initiative to support athletes with dual-career and
career-transition opportunities by empowering them to become
entrepreneurs.
Alibaba.com connects buyers and suppliers from over 200
countries and regions, offering innovative services and
technology-driven business tools to help SMEs start and grow their
businesses. This simplifies global trade for buyers and sellers,
offering opportunities for all aspiring entrepreneurs to –
including athletes – to get ahead in business.
According to new data from Alibaba.com*, nearly two thirds (63%)
of former sportspeople struggle to find a new career after sport.
Despite 76% of former sportspeople thinking they have the
transferable skills relevant for business, just over half (52%) are
now running their own business.
The Athlete365 Business Accelerator program is a business
incubator that aims to equip current and former professional
athletes with the skills needed to create and manage their own
businesses. As the first partner to join the program, Alibaba.com
will create an e-commerce and global-trade-focused multi-phase
training scheme designed to build participants' knowledge of
business-critical areas such as the use of AI tools, global
sourcing and B2B export through digital marketplaces.
Through the program, Alibaba.com is aiming to empower more than
1,000 global athletes and former athletes with training. In
addition, Alibaba.com will also offer 50 promising candidates
Business Accelerator packages worth $10,000**, which will provide a combination of
logistics, operational and sourcing training and credit to help
candidates unlock long-term, sustainable growth opportunities.
Kuo Zhang, President,
Alibaba.com, said: "At Alibaba.com, we have witnessed many
individuals without a business background become highly successful
SMEs using our services and tools. Athletes, known for their
courage, determination, and positive mindset in sports, bring these
same essential traits to the business world. Their focus and
resilience give them an edge as entrepreneurs. We at Alibaba.com
are keen to support athletes in harnessing their skills to achieve
success in their entrepreneurial pursuits."
Kaveh Mehrabi, Director of the
Athletes' Department at the International Olympic Committee,
said: "We're excited to bring Alibaba.com on board as a partner
for the IOC's Athlete365 Business Accelerator program. By equipping
athletes with the right training and skills through Alibaba.com's
mentoring program and digital tools, together, we will give
aspiring athlete and Olympian entrepreneurs the boost they need to
start their own businesses. The initiative serves as a strong
demonstration of our shared commitment to build on the expertise of
our TOP partners to empower athletes to build successful second
careers."
To help bridge the divide between sport and commerce,
Alibaba.com will offer participants of the Business Accelerator
program mentorship opportunities with senior executives and global
teams from Alibaba.com, as well as with its Global Ambassadors—all
of whom have successfully transitioned from sport to
entrepreneurship. The Alibaba.com Global Ambassadors include
Tony Parker, a two-time Olympian;
Elias Schwärzler, a professional mountain biker; and Simona Galik Moore, a former professional tennis
player.
Like Tony, Elias, and Simona—who all use Alibaba.com in their
respective businesses—SMEs around the globe can benefit from
Alibaba.com's unique offers.
Notes to Editors
*The research was conducted by Censuswide, with 427 Former
Professional Sportspeople aged 16+ from the UK, USA, Germany
and France between 14.06.2024 – 20.06.2024. Censuswide abide by and employ
members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR
principles. Censuswide are also members of the British Polling
Council.
**The Business Accelerator packages are worth the equivalent of
$10,000 in support and vouchers. No
cash is exchanged and there is no cash alternative offered.
About Alibaba.com
Launched in 1999, Alibaba.com is a leading platform for global
business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce that serves buyers and
suppliers from over 200 countries and regions around the world. It
is engaged in services covering various aspects of commerce,
including providing businesses with tools that help them reach a
global audience for their products and helping buyers discover
products, find suppliers and place orders online fast and
efficiently. Alibaba.com is part of Alibaba International Digital
Commerce Group.
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