This response reflects a new wave of entrepreneurship defined by technological accessibility, niche innovation, and purpose-driven ambitions.

These submissions demonstrate how AI is increasingly empowering enterpreneurs to bring product ideas from prototypes to global markets, how women entrepreneurs are playing key roles, and how Gen Z founders are focusing on solving real-world issues.

AI becomes essential infrastructure for startups

AI is no longer a luxury—it is becoming the essential infrastructure for modern entrepreneurship. Among submitted pitch ideas, 63.5% have plans to leverage AI or machine learning , and more than 400 projects directly incorporate AI to address real-world needs.

The most common AI applications include speech recognition, image processing, and natural language processing. Solopreneurs—founders building their ventures singlehandedly —engaged in significant AI adoption to reduce costs and expedite product development.

Women-focused innovation and green entrepreneurship on the rise

Of the total pitch submissions, 32.7% are focused on categories primarily targeting female consumers and women's needs, including beauty, fashion accessories, and women's health.

According to the 2023/24 Global Women's Entrepreneurship Report, the perception of entrepreneurial opportunity among women has grown 79%. In the US, the number of female-owned businesses has increased 39%, almost double the growth rate of male-owned businesses.

Across Europe, countries such as France, the Netherlands, and Hungary have all witnessed female entrepreneurship double over the past two decades. In addition, 36.1% of pitch submissions tackle environmental challenges, covering renewable energy, waste management, sustainable product design, and carbon reduction. The focus on issues related to sustainability and the environment illustrate how entrepreneurs are approaching their businesses with both profit and purpose in mind.

Niche markets and social purpose gain prominence

One of the most distinctive trends in this year's entries is a strong focus on niche and underserved markets. In fact, 33.9% of applicants are targeting specialised markets, more than those focused on general consumer audiences (29.9%). Products range from fashion tailored to plus-size consumers and sensory-friendly goods for children with ADHD to practical tools designed for mobility-challenged users.

Purpose-driven motivation is also defining a new generation of founders. Among Gen Z applicants, 33.6% say they started their ventures to address societal problems, while 29.5% are driven by a desire to create social value. Rather than pursuing business for profit alone, these founders are reframing entrepreneurship as a tool for progress, inclusion, and long-term impact.

Influencers transform into product innovation entrepreneurs

Another prominent trend among this year's pitch participants is the strong presence of digital-native entrepreneurs with significant social media followings. Many applicants already command large online audiences—some with millions of followers on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. This represents a growing movement from influencer to product-based entrepreneur, where creators leverage their personal brands and engaged audiences to launch innovative products.

Powering the next generation of product innovators at CoCreate 2025

In spite of their creativity and ambition, many applicants reported significant barriers to launching and scaling their ventures. Notably, 63.7% cited a lack of funding as their biggest challenge. Another 20.5% said they lacked access to proper mentorship, and 17.9% pointed to limited supply chain support. These statistics emphasise the ongoing need for infrastructure, community, and investor support across global startup ecosystems.

Launched as part of Alibaba.com's flagship CoCreate event, CoCreate Pitch invites entrepreneurs from around the world to submit their ideas for innovative products to compete in the total $1 million award pool. Of the thousands of submissions, 100 semi-finalists will be selected to pitch live—70 at CoCreate Las Vegas on September 4–5, 2025, and 30 at CoCreate London on November 14, 2025. Two final grand prize winners (one per region) will each receive $200,000 in a combination of cash and Alibaba.com sourcing credits. An additional 20 finalists will each receive up to $40,000 in similar funding.

As well as the pitch competition, CoCreate 2025 empowers entrepreneurs by bringing more than 50 vetted manufacturers from Alibaba.com's global network onsite, showcasing over 20,000 trending product samples from more than 200 suppliers.

The event will also debut a 'speed-dating' style business matchmaking programme, where participants engage in focused 10-minute meetings with decision-makers to review samples, discuss customisation, and close deals instantly. Over 100 expert-led sessions will tackle critical challenges for small and mid-sized businesses.