Alibaba Group completed the largest technology-sector initial public offering when it went public in 2014.
Alibaba began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on September 19, 2014. The offering raised about $21.8 billion initially, and an over-allotment option increased the total to roughly $25 billion, making it the largest IPO at that time.
The company was founded by Jack Ma and colleagues in Hangzhou, China, in 1999. Its businesses include online marketplaces, cloud computing, logistics, digital media, and other services. Taobao and Tmall are among its best-known commerce platforms.
Alibaba’s listing is sometimes confused with later record offerings, especially Saudi Aramco’s 2019 IPO. The two deals used different sectors and exchanges, and record rankings can change depending on whether proceeds include an overallotment option. IPO proceeds are also distinct from a company’s market capitalization after trading begins.