Alibaba.com joins the IOC’s Athlete365 Business Accelerator program

At a grand launch event in Paris today, Alibaba.com, a leading platform for global business-to-business (B2B) ecommerce, will announce it has become the first worldwide Olympic and Paralympic ecommerce partner to join the fourth edition of the Athlete365 Business Accelerator program 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 – including athletes – to get ahead in business.

New data from Alibaba.com sheds light on the post-sports career challenges faced by athletes. Despite possessing transferable skills relevant for business (as acknowledged by 76% of former sportspeople), nearly two-thirds (63%) struggle to find a new career path after their athletic journey. However, there’s hope: over half (52%) of these former athletes are now running their own businesses.

The Athlete365 Business Accelerator Program

This program acts as a business incubator, equipping current and former professional athletes with the necessary skills to create and manage their own ventures. As the inaugural partner in this initiative, Alibaba.com is taking a proactive role. Here’s what they’re doing:

ECommerce and Global Trade Training: Alibaba.com will design a multi-phase training scheme focused on ecommerce and global trade. Participants will gain expertise in critical areas such as using AI tools, global sourcing, and B2B export through digital marketplaces.
Empowering Athletes: The goal is to empower over 1,000 global athletes and former athletes through this training program. By enhancing their business acumen, Alibaba.com aims to open doors to entrepreneurial success.
Business Accelerator Packages: Additionally, Alibaba.com will offer 50 promising candidates Business Accelerator packages worth $10,000 each. These packages combine logistics, operational guidance, sourcing training, and credit—essential components for unlocking long-term, sustainable growth opportunities.

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.

– Kuo Zhang, President, Alibaba.com

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.

– Kaveh Mehrabi, Director of the Athletes’ Department, International Olympic Committee

Alibaba.com Global Ambassadors

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.

Tony Parker

Tony is a former two-time Olympian athlete who reached the quarterfinals of Men’s Basketball with France at the Olympic Games Rio de Janeiro 2016. Regarded as a legend of his sport, Tony is a four-time winner of the NBA and has been featured in the NBA All-Star team six times. However, Tony’s successful career goes beyond his sporting accomplishments. Since retiring from the game, he has become a serial entrepreneur and investor who has successfully bridged the divide between sport and business. He is currently in discussions to become an Alibaba.com buyer/seller.

Simona Galik Moore

Simona is a former professional tennis player and CEO and owner of PBPRO—a prominent brand in professional pickleball, offering premium paddles, coordinated apparel, and accessories. Simona’s passion for tennis was ignited at a young age in her native Slovakia. After playing as an amateur for several years, she went professional, joining the World Tennis Association circuit where she achieved a ranking of WTA 505 in singles and 209 in doubles. In the late 1990s, she left professional sports and went on to study at college in the US. In 2002, shortly after graduating, she went into the world of business, working for a retail company Lowe’s and latterly making a career change to consulting. In 2020, Simona launched PBPRO. Additionally, Simona owns SGIM, LLC, a sourcing company, and recently earned a Women in Business Enterprise certification. Simona has been an Alibaba.com buyer for more than five years.

Elias Schwärzler

Elias isa professional mountain biker from Austria. Since 2022, he has held the Guinness World Record for ‘Fastest Bicycle Towed By A Motorcycle’ (272km/h). Following his career in sport, Elias has gone on to achieve success in business. He is now the founder and owner of Senders Academy, a talent academy, and Clano Apparel, a specialist mountain biking clothing brand and protection company. Elias has been an Alibaba.com buyer for more than 10 years.

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.