Alibaba Group Hosts '2021 Taobao Maker Festival,' a Stage for Creativity and Individuality

- Taobao Introduces Unique Products from 100 Creative Companies through Maker Festival
- Diverse Events Including Escape Rooms and Exhibitions Combining Technology and Art Held at Venue Equivalent to 60 Basketball Courts

China's leading e-commerce platform Taobao has launched the 'Taobao Maker Festival.' Through this large-scale offline festival running until the 25th, Taobao plans to showcase 100 young 'maker' companies selling products with innovative ideas.

Held annually since 2016, the Taobao Maker Festival is a celebration highlighting the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of young entrepreneurs in China.

This year's theme for the Taobao Maker Festival is 'Lost Treasure.' The event space, equivalent to 60 basketball courts (30,000 square meters) at the Shanghai National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC), is decorated as a fantasy game world inspired by the Tang Dynasty era, offering visitors the joy of discovering rare everyday items such as cinema tents and pixel art backpacks.

The festival incorporates game elements like escape rooms and treasure hunts to create a more immersive experience. Exhibitions by eight contemporary Chinese artists are also prepared, showcasing art created using technology, including AI-painted landscapes and sculptures made from sound waves dating back thousands of years. Diverse content will also be available on Taobao's online platform during the event period.

Taobao is expanding opportunities for young entrepreneurs in China by introducing programs like the Taobao Maker Festival that highlight new products and sellers. Currently, the average age of Taobao sellers is 26, and in the last fiscal year, Taobao recorded the highest number of new sellers in five years.

Last year, Taobao also introduced a support system for outstanding makers. Selected makers achieved growth rates higher than the overall e-commerce sales growth in China through benefits such as 'Outstanding Seller' digital badges and marketing support. They also expanded the entertainment content within the Taobao platform, posting 33 times more content on product review short-form content platforms compared to general sellers, and utilizing live commerce and subscriber-exclusive brand content platforms 12 times more.

Chris Tung, Chief Marketing Officer of Alibaba Group, stated, "We hope that the next generation of makers can grow faster through Taobao, an e-commerce platform where creativity leads to results. Helping young talents achieve their dreams and succeed is one of Taobao's most important goals."