Alibaba.com and Inc. Announce “Newpreneur of the Year” Semifinalists; Entrepreneurs Demonstrate New Business Ventures that Arose from Recession

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Proving that the recession can create opportunities to grow or start a small business, Alibaba.com (HKSE: 1688) and Inc. today announced the 30 new entrepreneurs who have been selected to move on to the “Newpreneur of the Year” semifinalist round. With businesses ranging from recyclable furniture to online costume stores to insulated handbags for men and women, these 30 entrepreneurs will compete in New York, Chicago, Miami, Dallas, Seattle and Los Angeles for one of 12 spots in the next round.

“Through the Newpreneur of the Year search, Alibaba.com is honoring those who embody this vision, while providing the funds and tools necessary to succeed during these trying times.”

“As we look beyond the recession toward ways to stimulate the economy, small business has increasingly been recognized as a key recovery factor,” said David Wei, chief executive officer, Alibaba.com. “Through the Newpreneur of the Year search, Alibaba.com is honoring those who embody this vision, while providing the funds and tools necessary to succeed during these trying times.”

Contestants in each semifinalist round will be hosted and evaluated by an esteemed panel of experts, including Bob LaPointe, President, Inc.; Kirk Aubry and Jim Schelskler, the Inc. CEO Project; Kelly Sang, general manager, Alibaba.com Americas; Bo Burlingham, Editor-At-Large, Inc.; and Tom Searcy, author of Whale Hunting: How to Land Big Deals and Transform Your Company, and RFPs Suck! How to Master the RFP System Once and For All to Win Big Business.

Following the semifinalist events, the 12 finalists will be profiled on www.inc.com/alibaba, where the public can vote for the businesses 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.

In no particular order, the semifinalists competing in the six regional events throughout October include:

New York Semifinalist Event, Oct. 6 at the Glass Houses at the Chelsea Arts Tower

Jacqui Rosshandler, Jacquean Products LLC
Nathan Leon, Setgo International
Justin Braver, Ergovation LLC
Katie Shea/Susie Levitt, FUNK-tional Enterprises
Kristin Black, UnBOWlievable LLC

Chicago Semifinalist Event, Oct. 8 at the W Hotel

Paul Wolf, Wolf Technologies
Ryan Dover, Costume Works
Kristen Harris, Party Palette
Craig Diamond, Diamond MMA
Jamie Pritscher, That’s Caring

Miami Semifinalist Event, Oct. 13 at the W Hotel

Chris Adams, Laptop Lifts
Jonathan Ross Shriftman, Sole Bicycles
Tommy Babil, Future Lifestyles
Mikki Sepanski, Go Green Handbag
Celine North, Giftaloft LLC

Dallas Semifinalist Event, Oct. 15 at Hotel ZaZa

Jared Joyce, Jared Joyce, LLC
Drew Jones, DJones LLC
Imran Karim, Trophy Skin
Vivian Elebiyo, Munch n’ Fit
Sherry Mullin, Animal Hoops

Seattle Semifinalist Event, Oct. 20 at the Edgewater Hotel

Cindy Sawyer, ToweLocs
Jessica Aceti, Cap-sac LLC
Burt Hamner, Hydrovolts
Joel Smith, Forward Mobility
Steven Bohannon, Feed Your Mind

Los Angeles Semifinalist Event, Oct. 22 at the SLS Hotel

Brent Wagner, The Day of Games LLC
Jane Angelich, Bright IP Concepts LLC
Jimmy Chiang, Way Basics
Christopher Walworth, SeaRebel Marine Industries
Mareya Ibrahim, Eat Cleaner

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.