Alibaba Group Holding Limited is a Chinese multinational technology conglomerate headquartered in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. Founded in 1999 by Jack Ma and a group of co-founders, the company initially focused on providing a business-to-business (B2B) online marketplace to connect Chinese manufacturers with overseas buyers. Over the years, Alibaba has expanded its portfolio and is now one of the world’s largest e-commerce operators.
At the heart of Alibaba’s operations are its consumer marketplaces, including Taobao, a consumer-to-consumer (C2C) platform, and Tmall, a business-to-consumer (B2C) site that hosts branded storefronts. Alibaba.com continues to serve as a major B2B portal, facilitating global trade by linking suppliers and wholesalers with international purchasers. The company also operates AliExpress, which offers direct sales of Chinese goods to consumers around the world, and Lazada, a leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia.
Beyond e-commerce, Alibaba has diversified into cloud computing, digital media and entertainment, and logistics. Alibaba Cloud provides a range of infrastructure and data services to enterprises and public sector clients across Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Americas. The company’s digital media assets include video streaming, music, and online publishing, while its logistics arm, Cainiao Network, coordinates parcel delivery and supply chain solutions throughout China and in key international markets.
Leadership at Alibaba has evolved since its inception. Jack Ma served as executive chairman until 2019, when Daniel Zhang succeeded him as chairman and chief executive officer. Under their guidance, Alibaba has pursued innovation in fintech through its affiliate Ant Group, investment in digital infrastructure, and expansion of cross-border commerce. The company remains focused on driving the digital transformation of enterprises and strengthening its global footprint.