 |
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.
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.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Alibaba.com Teams Up with the IOC to Propel Athletes into Entrepreneurship
|
The partnership unites two organizations with New Zealand roots and growing global profiles at a moment when both are expanding their presence on the international stage
SAN FRANCISCO and AUCKLAND, New Zealand, June 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ivo, the leading platform for AI contract intelligence, today announced a partnership with New Zealand Football to become the Official Legal AI Partner of the All Whites, New Zealand's men's national team.
The collaboration reflects Ivo's continued connection to its New Zealand origins as the company expands its global footprint. Founded in Auckland and now headquartered in San Francisco, Ivo helps global enterprises, including Meta, Uber, IBM, Shopify, and Mitsubishi Electric, accelerate contract workflows and surface critical business intelligence locked inside their contract portfolios.
As part of the partnership, Ivo branding will appear on the front of the All Whites' training and press kit as the team prepares to compete on the sport's biggest international stage, as well as across select New Zealand Football initiatives. New Zealand Football will exclusively use Ivo's contract intelligence platform to draft, review, and analyze all their teams' agreements.
The announcement arrives alongside a wave of global momentum for Ivo, which has grown ARR sixfold in the last 12 months and has recently opened offices in London and New York.
"As a New Zealand-founded company, we know what it takes to build something and take it to the world stage," said Min-Kyu Jung, CEO and co-founder of Ivo. "Standing with the All Whites as they prepare for one of the most significant moments in the program's history is something we're really proud of."
Andrew Pragnell, Chief Executive of New Zealand Football, said: "Ivo is a real Kiwi success story of a company taking on the world, and that's exactly what we strive to do every time our national teams step onto the field. It's exciting to partner with a New Zealand-founded company experiencing strong global growth while remaining connected to its roots. We look forward to working together and supporting each other's continued success."
About Ivo
Ivo is an enterprise-grade AI-powered contract intelligence platform that enables legal and business teams to move faster, reduce risk, and unlock revenue by turning contracts into actionable business intelligence. Founded in New Zealand and headquartered in San Francisco, Ivo helps organizations surface risk instantly, accelerate negotiation cycles, and remove bottlenecks across the contract lifecycle. Customers include leading global enterprises and high-growth companies across multiple industries.
About New Zealand Football
New Zealand Football oversees the beautiful game in Aotearoa New Zealand. From a player's first experience of football at a young age through the development pathway to national competitions, refereeing, coaching, administration, and ultimately representing New Zealand on the international stage, New Zealand Football supports every level of the game.
Football is the largest team participation sport in the country, with more than 180,000 registered players in 2025.
New Zealand Football manages national men's and women's football, futsal, and eFootball leagues and cup competitions.
As the highest-ranked member association in the Oceania Football Confederation, New Zealand Football runs 10 national team programmes, including the men's national team, the All Whites, and the women's national team, the Ford Football Ferns.
Logo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2995230/Ivo_Logo_Full_Ivy_2x_Logo.jpg?p=medium600
Photo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2995231/Tim_Payne_NZF_3a.jpg?p=medium600
The partnership unites two organizations with New Zealand roots and growing global profiles at a moment when both are expanding their presence on the international stage
SAN FRANCISCO and AUCKLAND, New Zealand, June 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ivo, the leading platform for AI contract intelligence, today announced a partnership with New Zealand Football to become the Official Legal AI Partner of the All Whites, New Zealand's men's national team.
The collaboration reflects Ivo's continued connection to its New Zealand origins as the company expands its global footprint. Founded in Auckland and now headquartered in San Francisco, Ivo helps global enterprises, including Meta, Uber, IBM, Shopify, and Mitsubishi Electric, accelerate contract workflows and surface critical business intelligence locked inside their contract portfolios.
As part of the partnership, Ivo branding will appear on the front of the All Whites' training and press kit as the team prepares to compete on the sport's biggest international stage, as well as across select New Zealand Football initiatives. New Zealand Football will exclusively use Ivo's contract intelligence platform to draft, review, and analyze all their teams' agreements.
The announcement arrives alongside a wave of global momentum for Ivo, which has grown ARR sixfold in the last 12 months and has recently opened offices in London and New York.
"As a New Zealand-founded company, we know what it takes to build something and take it to the world stage," said Min-Kyu Jung, CEO and co-founder of Ivo. "Standing with the All Whites as they prepare for one of the most significant moments in the program's history is something we're really proud of."
Andrew Pragnell, Chief Executive of New Zealand Football, said: "Ivo is a real Kiwi success story of a company taking on the world, and that's exactly what we strive to do every time our national teams step onto the field. It's exciting to partner with a New Zealand-founded company experiencing strong global growth while remaining connected to its roots. We look forward to working together and supporting each other's continued success."
About Ivo
Ivo is an enterprise-grade AI-powered contract intelligence platform that enables legal and business teams to move faster, reduce risk, and unlock revenue by turning contracts into actionable business intelligence. Founded in New Zealand and headquartered in San Francisco, Ivo helps organizations surface risk instantly, accelerate negotiation cycles, and remove bottlenecks across the contract lifecycle. Customers include leading global enterprises and high-growth companies across multiple industries.
About New Zealand Football
New Zealand Football oversees the beautiful game in Aotearoa New Zealand. From a player's first experience of football at a young age through the development pathway to national competitions, refereeing, coaching, administration, and ultimately representing New Zealand on the international stage, New Zealand Football supports every level of the game.
Football is the largest team participation sport in the country, with more than 180,000 registered players in 2025.
New Zealand Football manages national men's and women's football, futsal, and eFootball leagues and cup competitions.
As the highest-ranked member association in the Oceania Football Confederation, New Zealand Football runs 10 national team programmes, including the men's national team, the All Whites, and the women's national team, the Ford Football Ferns.
Logo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2995230/Ivo_Logo_Full_Ivy_2x_Logo.jpg?p=medium600
Photo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2995231/Tim_Payne_NZF_3a.jpg?p=medium600
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Kiwi-Born Legal AI Company Ivo Partners with New Zealand Football as Global Expansion Accelerates
