Alibaba.com introduces Agentic AI business team Accio Work with RM500,000 pitch competition

AI For Business


  • A plug-and-play AI agent team that automates end-to-end business operations and enables small and medium-sized businesses of all sizes to achieve enterprise-level execution.

  • “CoCreate Pitch 2026”, a startup competition using AI, announced Total prize money in Malaysia is RM500,000

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Alibaba.com, the world’s leading B2B commerce platform, today announced the official launch of “Accio Work”, an agent AI business team designed for small and medium-sized enterprises in Malaysia. Alongside the product launch, Alibaba.com also announced CoCreate Pitch 2026. This is an AI-powered startup competition powered by Accio Work with a total prize pool of 500,000 ringgit.

Accio Work is purpose-built to empower AI agents to directly perform any task needed across business operations, from market research, product planning, and sourcing to product listings, global marketing, and store management. At the heart of Accio Work is going beyond traditional question-and-answer AI to convert user instructions into real actions that are executed autonomously.

“Across the global trade landscape, AI is no longer a technology of the future; it has become the core infrastructure that fundamentally reshapes the way businesses operate,” he said. Shawn Yang, Alibaba.com’s general manager for APAC, said: “Accio Work was designed to help small businesses and sole traders access global markets and expand their business with enterprise-level execution.”

From assistant to agent: A new era of business operations
Small and medium-sized businesses operating in global markets typically face three barriers: steep learning curves, lack of specialized talent, and heavy operational loads. The complexities of global trade, including diverse language requirements, regulatory frameworks, and tax systems, create significant friction for buyers and sellers alike. Additionally, the lack of experienced B2B trade professionals, coupled with the huge amount of manual labor throughout the supply chain, leaves many small and medium-sized businesses short on resources.

Accio Work tackles these challenges head-on. Acting as a strategic advisor, we demystify complex trade requirements and provide expert-level guidance on market entry and category planning. A 24/7 AI agent workforce effectively fills the talent gap and provides scalable support without increasing headcount. By automating processes, Accio Work enables teams to shift their focus from day-to-day management to high-value strategic decisions, such as supplier negotiations and real-time risk management.

“Accio Work is designed to give small and medium-sized businesses a true plug-and-play AI team that is easier to deploy, more professional to execute, and more autonomous to operate.” James Zhang, Head of Global Seller Products and Services and APAC Buyer Growth at Alibaba.com, said:“By helping companies launch faster, make smarter decisions, and operate around the clock, we believe we can redefine how small teams compete and grow on a global scale.”

Currently, SMEs account for 96.1% of Malaysia’s businesses, with the majority involved in the service sector. This will drive demand for AI-powered tools and cross-border trade infrastructure. In 2025, the Malaysian Trade Development Authority (MATRADE) launched a cross-border trade roadmap that will enable more local businesses to expand their market reach. Alibaba.com is seeing strong traction from this momentum, with a notable increase in new exporters joining the platform.

CoCreate Pitch 2026: The leading product-based startup competition
Along with this announcement, Alibaba.com also announced the upcoming CoCreate Pitch 2026 (Malaysia division). CoCreate Pitch, powered by Accio Work, is an AI-powered startup competition designed to identify and support product-led innovators. The Malaysian category will offer a total of RM500,000 in prizes across three tracks: General SMEs, 0 to 1 Startups and Students. Registrations are open now until the deadline of August 25, 2026, after which the ten finalists will be announced on September 10, 2026.

The grand final will be held in October and the winner will have the unique opportunity to represent Malaysia at the global CoCreate 2026 summit in London this November. Registrations are active now and will be accepted until August 25, 2026 at https://www.alibabacocreate.com/pitch/apply-form.

About alibaba.com
Founded in 1999, Alibaba.com is the world’s leading B2B e-commerce platform serving buyers and suppliers in more than 200 countries and territories. The platform offers a complete suite of trade services, including tools that enable businesses to reach users around the world and tools that enable buyers to discover products, connect with suppliers, and place orders quickly and efficiently. Alibaba.com is part of Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group.

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