Alibaba Group is established
Alibaba Group is established by its 18 founders, led by Jack Ma, working out of Jack Ma’s apartment in Hangzhou. Its first website is English-language Alibaba.com, a global wholesale marketplace.
1999
Alibaba Group launches China marketplace
Alibaba Group launches a China marketplace (currently known as 1688.com) for domestic wholesale trade.
1999
Alibaba.com surpasses one million registered users
December 2001
Taobao Marketplace founded
Online shopping website Taobao Marketplace is founded, again in Jack Ma’s apartment.
May 2003
Inaugural Netreprenuer Summit
Alibaba Group organizes its first Netrepreneur Summit, a gathering of Internet entrepreneurs, and honors the first 10 Netrepreneurs of the Year.
June 2004
Aliwangwang launched on Taobao Marketplace
Aliwangwang, a personal computer-based instant messaging tool that facilitates text, audio and video communication between buyers and sellers, is launched on Taobao Marketplace.
July 2004
Alipay launched
Alipay, currently a related company of Alibaba Group, is launched as a third-party online payment platform.
December 2004
Alibaba Group forms a strategic partnership with Yahoo!.
August 2005
Alibaba Group takes over the operations of China Yahoo!
October 2005
Taobao Marketplace founded
The Taobao University program is launched, providing e-commerce training and education to buyers and sellers.
July 2006
Alibaba completes IPO on SEHK
Alibaba.com completes its initial public offering on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
November 2007
Alibaba Group launches Alimama
Alibaba Group launches Alimama, an online marketing technology platform.
November 2007
Taobao Mall is introduced
Taobao Mall (currently known as Tmall.com), a dedicated platform for third-party brands and retailers, is introduced to complement Taobao Marketplace.
April 2008
Alibaba Cloud Computing established
Alibaba Cloud Computing is established in conjunction with Alibaba Group’s 10th anniversary celebration.
September 2009
Alibaba acquires HiChina
Alibaba.com announces the acquisition of HiChina, China’s leading Internet infrastructure service provider.
September 2009
Taobao Marketplace introduces online group buying marketplace Juhuasuan.
March 2010
Mobile Taobao app launched
August 2010
Juhuasun spun off
Juhuasuan is spun off from Taobao Marketplace as an independent platform.
October 2011
Alibaba Foundation Established
Alibaba Group establishes the Alibaba Foundation with a sizeable fund dedicated to social causes.
January 2012
Taobao celebrates 10th Anniversary
Taobao’s 10th anniversary is marked with a global gathering of Alibaba Group employees in Hangzhou.
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May 2013
Alibaba Group unveils the Alibaba Smart TV OS.
July 2013
Alibaba Group officially launches its mobile social networking app, Laiwang.
September 2013
Alibaba goes public and goes big
After its first day of trading on the New York Stock Exchange, BABA broke the record for the largest-ever intital public offering, earning $25 billion.
September 2014