The 2026 edition of the CoCreate Pitch competition, organized by Alibaba.com, received over 15,000 applications from 132 countries. More than 71% of the candidates described themselves as solo founders, a significant increase from 40% in the previous year. Many of these solo founders indicated that artificial intelligence (AI) tools were essential to their work, especially in areas like industrial design, development, and marketing, which they might otherwise struggle to manage alone. The competition, open for submissions until October 16, reflects a growing trend in entrepreneurship, where more capabilities are becoming accessible to individuals. Traditionally, starting a business required a range of complementary skills, such as development, marketing, and sales. For solo entrepreneurs, each new function meant more time or the need to hire help. AI has changed this dynamic by allowing the creation of text, images, or code more quickly. Now, a newer form of AI, called agentive AI, is emerging, which can take on sequences of tasks with more autonomy. This concept is sometimes referred to as the "agentive business," where AI agents can handle tasks that would normally require multiple team members. A study conducted by Alibaba.com with OpinionWay among 501 business leaders of French companies with fewer than 50 employees highlights the challenges faced by small businesses. Many reported feeling overwhelmed by tasks that don’t add much value and feeling isolated in their work, which can prevent growth. While agentive AI is not yet widely used—only 8% of the leaders surveyed have used it—there is significant interest. About 53% of respondents see potential benefits, such as reducing workload and focusing on core business goals or improving work-life balance. Nearly 69% would like AI agents to assist them in areas like communication, marketing, and development. Alibaba.com has positioned its platform, Accio, as part of the agentive AI market. Launched in late March 2026, Accio has evolved from a B2B sourcing tool into a full-fledged agentive AI platform designed for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and independent entrepreneurs. The platform allows users to delegate various business tasks without needing to code or set up complex infrastructure. According to Michelle Lau, the France general manager of Alibaba.com, the goal is to move beyond simple chatbots and give AI agents more responsibility. Accio uses different agent profiles that handle various stages of the business process, such as building a website, managing sales, or planning marketing campaigns. It can also assist during the early ideation phase, helping with product design and market research. Human oversight remains crucial, as emphasized by Michelle Lau. Important decisions still require human validation, and users control the level of authority given to AI agents, especially when dealing with sensitive information or financial transactions. Alibaba.com encourages French and European entrepreneurs to apply for the CoCreate Pitch Europe competition, which aims to help small businesses advance beyond basic AI adoption. This year, all applications are submitted through Accio, allowing participants to experience the platform’s capabilities firsthand, from market research to supplier searches, before even reaching the presentation stage. The European final of the competition will be held in London on November 19 and 20.