Buying Alibaba shares is usually considered safer than investing in start-ups, but this depends on a variety of factors. Here are some key points： ### 1. **Company size and stability** -**Alibaba**: As the world's leading e-commerce and technology company, Alibaba has a huge user base, a mature business model and stable cash flow. It has undergone many years of market tests and is relatively stable. -**Start-up companies**: Start-up companies are usually in the early stage of development, their business models may not be verified, their profitability is uncertain, and their risks are higher. ### 2. **Market position** - **Alibaba**: It occupies an important position in the fields of e-commerce, cloud computing, financial technology, etc., and has a strong market influence and competitive advantage. -**Start-up companies**: May face fierce market competition, and may even be squeezed out of the market by more powerful opponents. ### 3. **Financial performance** - **Alibaba**: It has stable revenue and profits, and its financial situation is relatively transparent, making it easier for investors to evaluate its value. -**Start-ups**: Financial data may be opaque and may even lose money for a long time, relying on financing to maintain operations. ### 4. **Risk and reward** -**Alibaba**: Although it is relatively safe, the growth potential of the stock price may not be as good as that of high-growth start-ups. -**Start-ups**: The risk is higher, but if successful, the return may be very considerable (for example, investors who invested in Amazon or Tesla in the early days received huge returns). ### 5. **Policy and regulatory risks** - **Alibaba**: As a Chinese company, it may face policy changes and regulatory risks, such as antitrust investigations. -**Start-ups**: May face risks such as industry regulation, technological failure, or insufficient market acceptance. ### 6. **Liquidity** - **Alibaba**: As a listed company, stocks are highly liquid and investors can buy and sell at any time. -**Start-up company**: If it is an unlisted company, the liquidity is poor, and it may be difficult to exit the investment. ### Conclusion From the point of view of safety and stability, investing in Alibaba stocks is usually safer than investing in start-ups. However, if you are willing to take higher risks in pursuit of higher potential returns, a startup company may be more suitable. The final choice should be based on your risk tolerance, investment objectives and investment duration. **Recommendation**: Before investing, conduct an in-depth study of the company's fundamentals, industry trends and risk factors, and consult a professional financial adviser if necessary.