Entrepreneurs Who Changed History

g GLOBALIZATION AND E-COMMERCE g Contents

JACK MA

1964–

After struggling to get into college, then finding it impossible to sustain his first small business, Jack Ma had an epiphany when he visited the US and discovered the potential of the internet. Although his first two online commercial ventures proved unsuccessful, his persistence paid off—he went on to establish Alibaba, one of the giants of world e-commerce.

Jack Ma (born Ma Yun) grew up in Hangzhou, in eastern China, a city he has remained loyal to. His family had little money, and he struggled academically. He did realize the importance of communication, however, and set about learning ...