Alibaba.com Limited, an investment holding company, provides software, technology, and other related services primarily on the online business-to-business B2B marketplaces worldwide. The company offers transaction-based and other Internet-based services, such as software applications, domain name registration, Website hosting and solutions, email hosting, and technology-related consultation services on various market places and platforms. It operates alibaba.com, a trade platform for importers and exporters; aliexpress.com, a transaction-based wholesale platform for small buyers seeking shipment of small quantities of goods; Alibaba.com Dropshipping Solutions to support existing ecommerce businesses and entrepreneurs; and 1688.com, a Chinese-language online platform for B2B and small-quantity wholesale transactions. The company is also involved in the research and development of computer software, data processing, and Internet technology; and provision of Internet content, software, technology, education, management, business consultation, finance and legal advisory, server operation and maintenance, advertisement, marketing, and administrative services. In addition, it offers escrow services to B2B marketplace; e-commerce solutions; Internet services; enterprise and financial management tools through an Internet-based software-as-a-service model; business management software; Internet infrastructure services; and export related services. The company was founded in 1999 and is based in Hangzhou, China. Alibaba.com Limited operates as a subsidiary of Alibaba Group Holding Limited.