Starting and growing a business has never been easy, but entrepreneurs today face a particularly brutal landscape. Whether it is rising tariffs, supply chain disruptions, or fierce competition, launching innovative, impactful products in the current environment can feel like an impossibility.
Of course, entrepreneurs are some of the most creative people in the world, so they are more than capable of navigating these obstacles. Before diving into the ‘how,’ let’s take a closer look at the challenges today’s entrepreneurs are facing.
One of the biggest, according to data compiled from submissions to Alibaba.com’s CoCreate Pitch, the world’s largest product-focused pitch competition, is a lack of funding. Of the more than 20,000 competition entrants, nearly two-thirds (64%) cited lack of funding as their biggest obstacle.
Mentorship is another major obstacle, with 21% of applicants saying they don’t have access to proper experts and mentors. This is a problem because without the right mentorship, founders are forced to learn tough lessons through costly trial and error.
And then there is a lack of supply chain support, with 18% of CoCreate Pitch applicants identifying this as a primary stumbling block. The reality is that unreliable suppliers can cripple a startup’s ability to deliver products on time, resulting in lost revenue and irreparable brand damage.
It is because of roadblocks like these that Alibaba.com is hosting the first global edition of its flagship international sourcing event CoCreate 2025, with stops in Las Vegas (September 4-5) and London (November 14). CoCreate brings together thousands of small business owners and global suppliers to connect, collaborate, discover new ways to strengthen their operations, and develop key sourcing relationships.
Like we said before, entrepreneurs are inherent problem solvers. Here are three ways CoCreate and CoCreate Pitch are making it easier for them to thrive in uncertain economic times.
1. Build vital relationships
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Strong supplier relationships can be a lifeline for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Trusted partnerships create stability and make it easier to navigate unexpected challenges. There is no better time to start forging these connections, and CoCreate 2025 will offer multiple in-person forums to make it happen.
First, CoCreate eliminates barriers by bringing more than 50 pre-screened supply partners from Alibaba.com’s global network directly to attendees. With tens of thousands of trending product samples on display, business owners can meet factory decision-makers in person to inspect products, discuss customizations, and finalize terms onsite. Every featured supplier is pre-verified for export compliance and offers white-label expertise in high-demand areas like eco-friendly packaging, smart home tech, and apparel.
CoCreate Match is another great opportunity to connect with suppliers. This is a commerce matchmaking program, held at CoCreate 2025, where participants engage in hyper-focused, 10-minute meet-and-greet sessions. Think of it as speed-dating for small-business growth. In each session, attendees can outline exactly what they need in a partner so they can find that perfect match who aligns with their vision.
2. Compete for a prize pool of $1 million
Funding is a perennial challenge for nearly every small business. At CoCreate Pitch, participants can land up to $200,000 in funding and resources from a total prize pool of $1 million.
This global competition empowers SMBs to bring their dream products to life using Alibaba.com’s sourcing tools. Here is how it works. Entrepreneurs submit written or video pitches online, with 100 finalists selected to present live in Las Vegas or London. Each finalist gets 90 seconds on stage to wow a panel of industry leaders, investors, and celebrity judges — with the winner taking home $200,000 in funding and resources.
Backed by partners like Kickstarter and the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), and hosted by celebrity entrepreneur and investor Daymond John, from the four-time Emmy Award-winning show “Shark Tank,” CoCreate Pitch is helping to launch the next generation of founders. Through this competition, Alibaba.com provides the tools, expertise, infrastructure, and funding ambitious entrepreneurs need to compete and win on the global stage.
3. Get expert advice
Expert advice is invaluable, but it is often hard to find or trust. CoCreate 2025 is making it easy for entrepreneurs to tap into the proven insights and trustworthy know-how they need to grow faster and smarter.
In particular, the event features more than 100 expert-led sessions that address many of the most pressing challenges SMBs are encountering today. For instance, attendees can learn how to use AI to make trade more efficient, how to build stronger global supply chains, and how to protect profit margins against tariff threats and rising costs. Zeroing in on real-world solutions, CoCreate gives business owners the knowledge they need to get a leg up in today’s uncertain climate.
Take the next step to fortify your supply chain and build trusted global partnerships
Ready to take on the world? Then CoCreate 2025 is the event for you. Whether it’s bolstering your global supplier networks, landing that all-important funding, or gaining expert advice, CoCreate delivers the insights and connections you need to outpace the competition and succeed.
