Alibaba’s IPO: Innovation with Chinese Characteristics?(A)

This is a series of two cases on Alibaba’s listing and how the company’s novel governance structure and other special features led to heated discussions among relevant market regulators and investment communities. The IPO of Alibaba on the New York Stock Exchange in 2014 brought great fanfare, analysis, and criticism from stakeholders before, during, and after the launch. Case A presents justification for the “Alibaba Partnership” and the notable risks to Alibaba (including those related to the “Alibaba Partnership” and those of the VIEs, as disclosed in its prospectus). Other aspects of Alibaba’s corporate governance are also discussed, with some major amendments to the prospectus explained at the end of case A. The case series closes with the question of how much tolerance or trust potential investors will afford Ma in their valuation of Alibaba.