Sponsor content is created on behalf of and in collaboration with Alibaba by DigitalCommerce360. Our editorial staff is not involved in the creation of the sponsored content.
The international sourcing event brings together thousands of small business owners and global suppliers to develop key sourcing relationships, secure funding and learn from 100+ expert-led keynote sessions to give SMBs a leg up in today’s volatile environment
It’s a challenging time to be a small business. Between tariffs, inflation, consumer pullback and supply chain disruptions, small-and-medium businesses (SMBs) have their backs against the wall.
According to a 2025 report by the National Small Business Association, 59% of small-business owners say economic uncertainty is their biggest threat. Adding to the uncertainty are spiraling costs and trade complexities. A majority of SMB owners (51%) say they are now bracing for the negative impacts of tariffs and 70% believe the current state of the economy is just fair or poor, according to a recent CNBC SurveyMonkey Small Business Survey.
With tariffs driving up the cost of supplies and eating away at their bottom line, many SMBs are reaching the point of truth. After exhausting internal cost-cutting measures, they are realizing that future success depends on looking beyond their own four walls. The next frontier of growth must come from outside — namely, from the formation of strategic external partnerships that help them truly advance their business.
That’s where Alibaba.com’s CoCreate comes in. This autumn, Alibaba.com will host the first global edition of its flagship CoCreate event, with stops in Las Vegas (September 4-5) and London (November 14). It’s not just another conference. CoCreate is a unique opportunity for small businesses worldwide to connect, collaborate and discover new ways to strengthen their operations.
Naturally, the event will celebrate the entrepreneurial can-do spirit. But it will also provide SMBs with practical tools for growth and make it possible for them to forge impactful connections that enhance their business strategy and boost their bottom line.
Building vital relationships
Strong supplier relationships can be a lifeline to SMBs, especially in today’s uncertain economic climate. Developing trusted partnerships creates a sense of stability and makes it easier to problem-solve when unexpected challenges arise. There’s no better time than now to start forging these critical connections and CoCreate will offer multiple in-person forums to make it happen.
This means direct supplier access with zero intermediaries. CoCreate will remove digital barriers by bringing 50-plus prescreened manufacturers from Alibaba.com’s global network directly to attendees. With over 20,000 trending product samples from 200-plus global suppliers on display, business owners will be able to meet factory decision-makers in person to inspect products, discuss customizations and finalize terms onsite. All featured suppliers come pre-verified for export compliance and offer white-label expertise specializing in high-demand areas like ecofriendly packaging, smart home tech and apparel.
Another way CoCreate will help business owners forge vital connections is CoCreate Match, an innovative matchmaking program where participants engage in hyper-focused 10-minute sessions. Think of it as speed-dating for small-business professionals. In each session, participants can present specific qualities they are looking for in a partner, whether it’s sustainability practices, production capacity or expertise in pitching investors. These rapid, targeted conversations are designed to spark new opportunities and help businesses quickly identify potential partners who align with their goals.
With these kinds of direct, in-person interactions, CoCreate gives small businesses unprecedented access to the global supply chain relationships they need to compete and grow – all in one place at one time.
Million dollar prize pool
For entrepreneurs and SMBs, securing funding remains one of the toughest challenges when launching and scaling their business. CoCreate tackles this hurdle head-on with CoCreate Pitch, the world’s largest product-focused pitch competition, featuring a total prize pool of $1 million.
This global competition invites SMBs to bring their dream products to life using Alibaba.com’s sourcing tools. Here’s how it works: entrepreneurs submit their written or video pitches online. From these submissions, finalists will be selected to present in person either in Las Vegas or London. Each finalist will get 90 seconds on stage to impress a panel of industry leaders, investors and celebrity judges, with the chance to win up to $200,000 in funding and prizes.
Backed by partners including Kickstarter and the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) and hosted by celebrity entrepreneur and investor Daymond John, from the four-time Emmy Award-winning Shark Tank, CoCreate Pitch is all about empowering the next wave of founders. Through the competition, Alibaba.com is supporting next-gen founders with the tools, expertise, infrastructure and all-important funding they need to compete — and win — on a global scale.
The know-how to navigate uncertainty
Running a small business is an unending endeavor. For owners, it means constantly juggling multiple demands, which often leaves them with little time to explore new ideas or stay up to date on the best strategies to level up their business. That’s why CoCreate 2025 will provide entrepreneurs with digestible insights and tactics that they can immediately implement in their business to assist them on their growth journey.
Specifically, the event will host 100-plus expert-led sessions addressing critical challenges for SMBs. These sessions will focus on actionable strategies such as using AI to boost trade efficiency, building resilient global supply chains through multi-region partnerships, safeguarding profit margins against rising operational costs and much more.
By homing in on real-world solutions, CoCreate will give business owners the knowledge they need to navigate today’s uncertain marketplace with confidence.
Final takeaway
Every business is feeling the squeeze right now. But for entrepreneurs willing to be scrappy and creative, there are still plenty of opportunities out there. If you’re running a business and looking for fresh solutions, new partners and better ways to make deals, CoCreate 2025 is where you need to be. It’s your chance to connect with like-minded innovators and forge partnerships that truly propel your business forward.
Favorite