SANTA CLARA, Calif.-- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Alibaba.com Limited (HKSE:1688):

Proving that the recession can create opportunities to grow or start a small business, Alibaba.com and Inc. are encouraging entrepreneurship with the ‘Newpreneur of the Year’ competition. More than 800 newpreneurs with businesses ranging from recyclable furniture to online costume stores entered the competition over the summer, 30 were selected to compete in semi-final events around the country, and now the competition has been narrowed down to 13 contestants.

“Standing behind President Obama’s recent announcement of plans to refocus the financial bailout toward small businesses, Alibaba.com is honored to give newpreneurs the chance to realize their entrepreneurial dreams,” said Kelly Sang, general manager of Alibaba.com Americas. “We recognize that small businesses will be a key recovery factor for the economy and we want to help Americans grow their companies by connecting them with business partners and helping them succeed in global trade.”

More than 20,000 votes have been cast for the 13 contestants in the first week of voting on www.inc.com/alibaba. Voting continues through November 6, 2009 where the public can select up to five newpreneurs a day that they think have the most potential to revive the economy. Based on online voting, the top five newpreneurs will be invited to the finale event in San Francisco on Nov. 18, 2009, where the grand prize winner will be revealed and win $50,000 to invest in their business. The four remaining finalists will take home awards totaling an additional $50,000. The 13 semifinalists are:

Jacqui Rosshandler, Jacquean Products LLC from New York, NY

Katie Shea/Susie Levitt, FUNK-tional Enterprises from New York, NY

Paul Wolf, Wolf Technologies from Mandan, ND

Ryan Dover, CostumeWorks from Lake Geneva, WI

Jonathan Ross Shriftman, Sole Bicycles from Los Angeles, CA

Celine North, Giftaloft LLC from West Palm Beach, FL

Drew Jones, DJones Tailored Collection from Cedar Hill, TX

Imran Karim, Trophy Skin from Frisco, TX

Burt Hamner/Chris Leyerle, Hydrovolts from Seattle, WA

Joel Smith, Forward Mobility from Edmonds, WA

Jimmy Chiang, Way Basics from Irvine, CA

Mareya Ibrahim, Eat Cleaner from Aliso Viejo, CA

Brent Wagner, The Day of Games LLC from San Francisco, CA

About Alibaba.com Limited

Alibaba.com Limited (HKSE:1688) (HK.1688) is the global leader in business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce and the flagship company of Alibaba Group. Founded in 1999, Alibaba.com makes it easy for millions of buyers and suppliers around the world to do business online through three marketplaces: a global trade marketplace (www.alibaba.com) for importers and exporters, a Chinese marketplace (www.alibaba.com.cn) for domestic trade in China, and, through an associated company, a Japanese marketplace (www.alibaba.co.jp) facilitating trade to and from Japan. Together, its marketplaces form a community of 42 million registered users from more than 240 countries and regions. Alibaba.com also offers business management software solutions targeting small businesses across China under the "Alisoft" brand. Founded in Hangzhou, Alibaba.com has offices in more than 40 cities across Greater China, Japan, Korea, Europe and the United States.

About Inc. magazine

Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. magazine (www.inc.com) is the only major business magazine dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies that delivers real solutions for today's innovative company builders. With a total paid circulation of 724,110, Inc. provides hands-on tools and market-tested strategies for managing people, finances, sales, marketing, and technology.