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Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
SMEs with product ideas to compete in US
Listen to article B2B e-commerce platform has announced a newly expanded pitch competition, CoCreate Pitch, which will take place at the company's annual CoCreate event. The competition will allow global small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with product ideas to compete for a $1 million prize pool. Selected SMEs and entrepreneurs from Pakistan will have the opportunity to participate in the US event to be held in Las Vegas from September 4 to 5 this year. In addition to the CoCreate Pitch competition, is also introducing CoCreate Europe, which will be held in London on November 14, coinciding with the World Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Day on June 27. CoCreate Pitch will attract SMEs from around the globe, offering the opportunity for financial support, a diversified supply chain and mentorship. Two grand champions, one from each CoCreate event, will each receive a financial award valuing at $200,000 (50% cash and 50% sourcing credits). Twenty winners will be awarded up to $40,000 each under the same terms. All participants will gain free access to AI-powered sourcing tools and supplier network, enabling rapid prototyping and cost-efficient production. The competition spans two to four months, with submissions evaluated on innovation, feasibility and market potential. Finalists will pitch live at events in Las Vegas. Winners will be selected by a panel of industry leaders and investors. "The passion SMEs will bring to their innovative product ideas, and their entrepreneurial energy, shines brightly on stage," said Kuo Zhang, President of Despite global economic uncertainty, the SMEs continue to demonstrate resilience and a strong capacity to adapt and thrive. Recent data from reveals that SMEs are actively positioning themselves for new opportunities.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Balance and Alibaba.com Partner to Bring Flexible B2B Payments to SMEs Across the United States
U.S. users can now select Balance as a payment method at checkout to access financing NEW YORK, June 26, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Balance, the AI-powered financial infrastructure platform for B2B commerce, announced today the launch of "Pay Later for Business" on an embedded financing solution designed to give U.S. small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) greater purchasing power and more control over how and when they pay. With this solution, U.S. business users have the option to access instant credit at checkout, enabling eligible ones to finance purchases. This B2B BNPL solution is powered by Balance's AI risk infrastructure, which delivers real-time credit risk management and high approval rates, including for SMEs which are often overlooked by traditional financing systems. "Flexible B2B payments are essential for business customers who want to grow," said Yiran Li, Head of Customer Retention Strategy at U.S. "By embedding Balance directly into our checkout, we're making it easy for customers to buy on their terms, without being limited by cash flow constraints." "In tight economic conditions, and especially with the added strain of tariffs, access to financing can make the difference between surviving and thriving," said Bar Geron, CEO and Co-founder of Balance. "We're proud to partner with and power a solution that helps its U.S. users grow their businesses with confidence." This launch follows Balance's recent partnership with Instacart Business, wherein it powers their embedded invoicing and net terms for business customers. With now onboard, Balance continues to expand its network of leading platforms and merchants reimagining the B2B payment experience. By embedding B2B BNPL and autonomous pay-by-invoice solutions directly into checkout, Balance helps merchants increase conversions, boost average order value, and drive user loyalty, without taking on credit risk or operational complexity. About Balance Balance is a leading AI-powered financial infrastructure platform for B2B commerce, enabling embedded payments, digital trade credit and B2B BNPL solutions. Merchants use Balance to accept payments, offer net terms, and automate accounts receivable - boosting revenue, lowering payment costs, and improving cash flow, while minimizing complexity and credit risk. With robust APIs supporting embedded and customizable customer journeys, advanced billing, AI-powered credit risk management, industry-best approval rates and flexible financing, Balance streamlines B2B payments from onboarding to reconciliation, powering invoice-to-cash operations for leading enterprises. View source version on Contacts Press Contact Daniella Jacobson, daniella@
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Alibaba.com Records Double-Digit Order Growth in the USA During March Expo
March Expo, flagship sourcing event, saw US SME buyers leverage AI and digital sourcing to build new supplier partnerships and unlock growth opportunities NEW YORK, March 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- a leading platform for global business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce, has recorded a 27% year-on-year increase* in the number of orders placed by US SME buyers during this year's March Expo. March Expo is flagship sourcing event. It connects millions of buyers with millions of suppliers from around the world, helping them discover the latest product opportunities and build new supplier partnerships while providing attractive promotional offers. A month-long virtual event, March Expo leverages technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital sourcing to make it easier for US SMEs to access growth opportunities via global trade. US order growth was driven by growth across several key product categories across the country, particularly sports products, which saw an increase of nearly one third (30%) year-on-year. Notably, according to data, orders for pickleball-related products increased by 197%, as demand for sporting goods in the US continues its growth trajectory and there is rising interest in new and emerging sports. In addition, the strong order growth was driven by US SMEs switching to digital sourcing — buying goods directly from suppliers, rather than intermediaries. New data from revealed that nearly half of SMEs (44%) plan to change suppliers this year — notably via digital sourcing channels such as online B2B marketplaces. Meanwhile, just under two thirds (59%) of US SMEs surveyed said digital sourcing is more important now compared to this time last year, demonstrating an increased preference for direct sourcing. Kuo Zhang, President, said: "During this year's March Expo, there has been a noticeable shift in favor of digital sourcing, with order volumes amongst US SMEs rising sharply year-on-year. This trend aligns with our recent research, which revealed that US SMEs increasingly recognize the benefits of online sourcing, from affordability to trend responsiveness and supplier reliability. In addition, the rise in sports-related product purchases indicates that SME buyers are increasingly tapping into consumer trends and sourcing ready-made products. As businesses embrace digital sourcing, they gain greater flexibility and access to a wider range of products to support their growth." # # # Notes to Editors *The data was collected from March 1 to 7, 2025 and compared with the same period in 2024. ‡The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 1,000 decision makers (aged 18+) in US SMEs who are responsible for sourcing in companies with under 150 employees (excluding sole traders). The data was collected between January 31, 2025 and February 6, 2025. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct which is based on the ESOMAR principles. 'Digital sourcing' refers to sourcing products through online B2B marketplaces. 'More important' refers to 'Much more important' and 'More important' responses combined. About Launched in 1999, 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. is part of Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE
