Alibaba: The House That Jack Ma Built
VIEW EVENT DETAILSArtplosive Connect Talk Series
Evening Presentation
Drinks reception 6:30pm,
Presentation 7:00pm,
Close 8:00pm
Alibaba is playing a pivotal role in China’s economic restructuring, moving the country away from a “Made in China” past to a “Bought in China” present. Their purchases generate almost two-thirds of all the parcel deliveries in China. The company’s IPO on the New York Stock Exchange in 2014 raised US$25 billion, the largest stock market flotation in history. Jack Ma, a former English teacher and Alibaba’s founder, is the face of the new China. Already something of a folk hero at home, he stands at the intersection of China’s newfound cults of consumerism and entrepreneurship. In “Alibaba: The House That Jack Ma Built”, author Duncan Clark provides a fascinating account of Alibaba and its charismatic creator. Perhaps more than any other Western observer, he is the perfect writer to tell this story, having worked directly with Mr. Ma as an advisor in the early years of Alibaba. With access to a wealth of new material, Mr. Clark weaves his personal perspectives and experiences with Mr. Ma and other key figures into an authoritative, compelling narrative. The book explores the foundations upon which the company was built, including the rise of the private sector and the expansion of internet access across China, as well as the personal story of Jack Ma’s youth, overcoming tremendous obstacles to become one of the world’s greatest entrepreneurs.
Duncan Clark is an entrepreneur, tech investor, author and frequent commentator on China’s dynamic technology and consumer sectors. Mr. Clark founded the investment consultancy BDA China in Beijing in 1994, after four years as an investment banker with Morgan Stanley in London and Hong Kong. He has lived and worked in China ever since, becoming early advisor to the founders of Alibaba, Netease and Sina. Mr. Clark has co-founded and/or made early-stage investments in a number of tech ventures including App Annie and Student.com. An advisor to the UK Government on China's digital economy, Mr. Clark was appointed O.B.E in 2013. A graduate of the London School of Economics, was invited as a Visiting Scholar by Stanford University where he co-founded China 2.0, an influential research initiative and forum at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Why Artplosive?
At Asia Society Hong Kong Center, we believe that aspiring young creative talents and businesses are shaping our future. Artplosive Connect brings together like-minded people who are pioneering, innovative and entrepreneurial through bespoke events tailored to their interests.
Event Details
Asia Society Hong Kong Center, 9 Justice Drive, Admiralty