Alibaba.com Launches Accio AI in Malaysia as CoCreate Pitch 2026 Names Top 3 Winners

Alibaba.com has officially introduced its Accio AI platform in Malaysia, alongside the grand finale of CoCreate Pitch 2026 Malaysia, a startup competition that attracted more than 2,300 applications from entrepreneurs and innovators across the country.

The announcement took place during the Alibaba.com B2B AI Seller Summit 2026, co-organised with the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) in Kuala Lumpur.

The event brought together Malaysian entrepreneurs, startups and industry partners to explore how artificial intelligence (AI), digital commerce and international partnerships can help local businesses expand beyond Malaysia.

It also marked Malaysia's first participation in Alibaba.com's global CoCreate Pitch competition, which expanded to include Malaysia, Indonesia and South Korea in 2026.

Alibaba.com and MATRADE representatives at the Alibaba.com B2B AI Seller Summit 2026 and CoCreate Pitch 2026 Malaysia. From left: Roger Luo, Head of South and Southeast Asia Business at Alibaba.com, and Mansor Shah Wahid, Deputy CEO, Export Development of MATRADE.

CoCreate Pitch 2026 Malaysia Announces Its Top Three Winners
Malaysia's inaugural CoCreate Pitch competition received more than 2,300 applications from micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), startups, aspiring entrepreneurs and student innovators.

Following the selection process, 10 teams advanced to the grand finale, where they presented their product concepts and business ideas to a panel of judges.

After the final judging session, Lettuboost, represented by Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Pavithran Julieus Sudhave, emerged as the overall winner.

Global Cerah, represented by Founder and Managing Director Willie Ng, secured second place, while Eartheories, represented by Founder and Chief Executive Officer Fadz Subari, finished third.

The three winning teams will have the opportunity to attend the CoCreate Global Summit 2026 in London this November, providing them with further exposure to international business networks and opportunities.

The Malaysian competition featured a total prize pool of RM500,000, awarded to finalists to support the next stage of their business development.

According to Alibaba.com, the strong participation reflects growing interest among Malaysian entrepreneurs in developing innovative products and exploring opportunities in international markets.

How Alibaba.com's Accio AI Helps Malaysian SMEs
One of the major announcements at the summit was the official Malaysian launch of Accio, Alibaba.com's enterprise-focused agentic AI platform designed to support business operations and international trade.

Unlike conventional AI tools that primarily respond to questions or generate content, agentic AI is designed to carry out connected tasks and assist with more complex workflows.

Alibaba.com positions Accio as an AI-powered operational partner that can help businesses manage different stages of their commercial activities, from identifying potential products to connecting with suppliers and reaching international customers.

The platform supports activities such as market research, product development, supplier sourcing, business planning, buyer outreach and e-commerce store operations.

By connecting major e-commerce platforms and providing built-in tools, Accio is intended to help smaller businesses streamline their daily operations without requiring extensive technical knowledge.

Alibaba.com also highlighted the platform's plug-and-play approach, which is designed to make AI-powered business tools more accessible to SMEs that may not have dedicated technology teams.

For Malaysian entrepreneurs, this could mean spending less time on repetitive operational tasks and more time developing products, building customer relationships and identifying new growth opportunities.

Participants in CoCreate Pitch 2026 were also encouraged to use Accio to explore global suppliers, identify potential manufacturing partners, refine their business concepts and prepare their pitch materials.

Alibaba.com Sees AI as a Tool for Turning Business Ideas into Real Products
Roger Luo, Head of South and Southeast Asia Business at Alibaba.com, highlighted the importance of combining entrepreneurship with access to manufacturing capabilities and international markets.

He explained that developing a strong business idea is only the beginning. Entrepreneurs must also find ways to transform their concepts into actual products and connect them with potential customers worldwide.

During the Malaysian final, participating teams demonstrated how AI could support product development by helping them research suppliers, identify manufacturing partners and strengthen their business plans.

Through initiatives such as CoCreate Pitch and Accio, Alibaba.com aims to help Malaysian MSMEs and startups turn promising ideas into commercially viable products while building businesses capable of competing internationally.

Alibaba.com and MATRADE Plan Dedicated Halal Pavilion for Malaysian Exporters
Beyond the startup competition and AI platform launch, Alibaba.com also announced a new collaboration with MATRADE to strengthen Malaysia's digital trade ecosystem.

The partnership was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focusing on digital trade development and improving export readiness among Malaysian businesses.

A key initiative under the collaboration is the planned development of a dedicated Halal Pavilion on Alibaba.com.

The pavilion is intended to showcase certified Malaysian halal products to international buyers, providing local exporters with another channel to increase their visibility in overseas markets.

With Malaysia's established position in the global halal industry, the initiative is expected to create additional opportunities for businesses seeking to introduce their products to international customers.

MATRADE also recognises digital commerce as an important avenue for connecting export-ready Malaysian companies with global buyers while improving their international competitiveness.

The collaboration reflects a broader effort to help Malaysian exporters take advantage of digital platforms, particularly businesses operating within the halal sector.

UOB Malaysia Supports SME Financing and International Expansion
Financial support remains another important consideration for Malaysian SMEs planning to expand internationally.

As part of the wider business ecosystem highlighted at the summit, UOB Malaysia reaffirmed its commitment to supporting local enterprises through financing solutions and digital capabilities.

By combining UOB Malaysia's financial expertise and regional network with Alibaba.com's international digital commerce ecosystem, the collaboration aims to help SMEs strengthen their operations and access overseas markets.

The initiative is intended to provide businesses with greater support as they navigate the financial and operational challenges associated with cross-border trade.

Together, the collaborations involving Alibaba.com, MATRADE and UOB Malaysia are designed to address several important aspects of SME growth, including technology adoption, access to international buyers and financing.

What the Accio AI Launch Means for Malaysian Businesses
For many Malaysian SMEs, entering international markets involves more than simply listing products online. Businesses must understand customer demand, identify suitable suppliers, manage operations and establish reliable connections with overseas buyers.

Alibaba.com's latest initiatives seek to make these processes more manageable through AI-powered tools and partnerships with local organisations.

The launch of Accio in Malaysia introduces another option for businesses looking to incorporate AI into their daily operations, while the MATRADE partnership could help certified halal exporters gain greater international visibility.

At the same time, the success of CoCreate Pitch 2026 Malaysia demonstrates the interest among local entrepreneurs in developing new products and building businesses with global potential.

With more than 2,300 competition applications, a RM500,000 prize pool and opportunities for the top three teams to attend the global summit in London, the inaugural Malaysian edition has provided a platform for emerging businesses to showcase their ideas.