Key Stats
Founded: April 4, 1999 in Hangzhou, China by Jack Ma and 17 co-founders
Fiscal Year 2024 Revenue: $130.4 billion (RMB 941 billion)
Market Capitalization: $370 billion (December 2025)
Employees: Approximately 205,000 worldwide
Global Reach: Operations in over 190 countries through e-commerce platforms
Alibaba Group Holding Limited is a Chinese multinational technology company specializing in e-commerce, cloud computing, digital media, and financial technology. The company operates through platforms including Taobao, Tmall, AliExpress, and Alibaba Cloud.
Jack Ma founded Alibaba from his Hangzhou apartment with 17 colleagues in 1999. The company aimed to help small businesses connect with customers through the internet. Today Alibaba stands as one of the largest retailers and technology companies globally.
The Alibaba ecosystem serves over 800 million active consumers annually. Its business model connects merchants, brands, and retailers with customers across China and international markets through its digital infrastructure.
Alibaba Group History
Alibaba Group Co-founders
Alibaba Group Competitors
Alibaba faces competition from domestic Chinese e-commerce platforms and global technology companies. JD.com and PDD Holdings represent its primary rivals in China. International competitors include Amazon and other regional e-commerce platforms.
| Company | Parent/Owner | Headquarters | Market Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| JD.com | Independent (NASDAQ: JD) | Beijing, China | Direct e-commerce with in-house logistics |
| Pinduoduo | PDD Holdings (NASDAQ: PDD) | Shanghai, China | Social commerce with group buying |
| Tencent | Independent (HKEX: 700) | Shenzhen, China | Diversified tech including WeChat commerce |
| Amazon | Independent (NASDAQ: AMZN) | Seattle, USA | Global e-commerce and cloud leader |
| eBay | Independent (NASDAQ: EBAY) | San Jose, USA | Global online marketplace |
| Rakuten | Rakuten Group (TYO: 4755) | Tokyo, Japan | Japanese e-commerce ecosystem |
| Meituan | Independent (HKEX: 3690) | Beijing, China | Local services and delivery platform |
| ByteDance | Private | Beijing, China | TikTok and Douyin e-commerce |
| Walmart | Independent (NYSE: WMT) | Bentonville, USA | Omnichannel retail and e-commerce |
| Shopify | Independent (NYSE: SHOP) | Ottawa, Canada | E-commerce platform provider |
Alibaba Group Revenue
Alibaba Group generated $130.4 billion in revenue for fiscal year 2024 ending March 31. Revenue grew 8% year-over-year driven by international commerce and cloud computing services. The Taobao and Tmall Group remains the largest revenue contributor.
Chinese commerce accounts for approximately 65% of total revenue. Alibaba Cloud and international digital commerce represent the fastest-growing segments as the company expands beyond its domestic e-commerce core.
Alibaba Group Marketcap
Alibaba Group trades on the New York Stock Exchange and Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The company reached a market capitalization of approximately $370 billion in December 2025. This represents significant recovery from its 2022 lows.
SoftBank Group and major institutional investors hold significant stakes in the company. The market cap peaked at over $850 billion in October 2020 before regulatory challenges impacted valuations.
Alibaba Group Acquisitions
Alibaba pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy to expand beyond e-commerce into entertainment, logistics, and local services. The company invested billions in strategic purchases to build its ecosystem across multiple business verticals.
The 2016 acquisition of Youku Tudou for $3.7 billion established Alibaba in the online video streaming market. Youku serves as China’s leading video platform, similar to what Netflix and YouTube represent in Western markets. This purchase allowed Alibaba to generate additional revenue through advertising and membership subscriptions while competing with Tencent Video.
Lazada Group represents Alibaba’s primary gateway into Southeast Asian e-commerce. The company acquired a controlling stake for $1 billion in 2016 and increased investments to several billion dollars through 2023. Lazada operates in six countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam with over 300 million potential customers.
The South China Morning Post acquisition for $266 million in 2016 expanded Alibaba into media ownership. Joseph Tsai stated the purchase aimed to provide diverse perspectives on China coverage through the English-language Hong Kong newspaper.
Food delivery platform Ele.me became part of Alibaba through a $9.5 billion acquisition in 2018. This deal allowed Alibaba to compete directly with Meituan in China’s local services market. Ele.me now integrates with other Alibaba platforms including digital payment services and mapping technology.
Other notable acquisitions include AutoNavi for digital mapping, Alibaba Pictures for entertainment content, and various retail chains supporting its New Retail strategy. The company also established Cainiao Network for logistics coordination among delivery partners.
FAQs
Who founded Alibaba Group?
Jack Ma founded Alibaba Group on April 4, 1999 in Hangzhou, China with 17 co-founders including Joseph Tsai. Ma was a former English teacher who started the company from his apartment.
What does Alibaba Group own?
Alibaba owns Taobao, Tmall, AliExpress, Alibaba Cloud, Youku, Lazada, Ele.me, Cainiao logistics, and stakes in Ant Group. The company operates e-commerce, cloud computing, entertainment, and local services businesses.
How much is Alibaba Group worth?
Alibaba Group has a market capitalization of approximately $370 billion as of December 2025. The company trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker BABA and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Where is Alibaba Group headquartered?
Alibaba Group is headquartered in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. The company maintains offices in major cities worldwide including Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, and San Mateo, California.
How many employees does Alibaba have?
Alibaba Group employs approximately 205,000 people worldwide as of March 2024. Employee count decreased from previous years as the company focused on operational efficiency and strategic restructuring.
