Skip to playerSkip to main content
  • 1 hour ago
CGTN Europe interviewed Rob Kniaz, founding Partner of H-Tree Capital
Transcript
00:00Let's get more on those Alibaba results.
00:03Let's go back to Rob Nice, founding partner of H3 Capital,
00:06that London-based technology venture capital firm.
00:09I think we've got you. I think we can hear you at this time.
00:11I certainly hope so.
00:12So you were going to tell me whether or not these were results you were expecting?
00:18Yeah, I think they're good.
00:19I think it's becoming pretty clear that Alibaba is the definitive tech company
00:23of the entire China region, the same way Google could be said for Europe and the U.S.
00:27I think it's really strong. They're just going from strength to strength.
00:30The company says that they've entered into their investment phase.
00:34I thought they were doing that already.
00:37I think for all these companies, it's continual investment.
00:39That's how technology is. You have to keep investing.
00:42Investors seem to be rewarding their investment in AI,
00:45which is tremendously expensive right now.
00:46But you're basically building a defensible base that once you come out on top
00:50becomes almost insurmountable.
00:52It's interesting to see the market's reaction because those shares are up
00:56despite that 53% drop in profit.
01:00Is that all about Alibaba's domestic AI chip that wowed the global tech market not long ago?
01:07I think the AI is obviously cutting into or going into CapEx right now.
01:12But I think the real upside there is they're spending a lot now on quick commerce,
01:16so the very fast deliveries across China.
01:18That's a very low-margin business, but, again, they want to create market share
01:21the same way Amazon would have done in the U.S.
01:23So they're spending a lot in that right now.
01:25Revenue has gone up, but margins are very low.
01:27So I think looking at the company, they're spending almost a break-even
01:31or loss-making scenario there to build market share in e-commerce in general
01:35and particularly with the instant shopping.
01:37So what's your outlook for Alibaba relative to rivals,
01:42to competitors across the e-commerce and AI hemisphere?
01:48I think they're the big gorilla in the room,
01:51and I think it's theirs to lose, frankly.
01:53I think they're in a great position.
01:54Similar to Google in the U.S., you can afford to be slow to the game
01:57or you can afford to make mistakes when you're that powerful.
01:59You know, Google's done a great job catching up now with Gemini 3.
02:02I think the same way, Alibaba has a lot of leeway in the China market
02:06to do lots of things right now and even make some mistakes
02:08and still come out on top in the long run.
02:10So I would not bet against them.
02:12Rob Nye, it's great to have you.
02:14Thanks for hanging in there.
02:16It was good to chat.
Be the first to comment
Add your comment

Recommended