Global Unicorn
Programs

Welcome to CKGSB’s Global Unicorn Programs, where we collaborate with top institutions to build a global ecosystem for the next generation of unicorns and unicorn-to-be companies.

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Upcoming
programs

About Our Unicorn Programs

Unicorn-specific Programs

Since 2015, we were the first business school to offer programs exclusively designed for unicorn and emerging unicorn enterprises. Now, we’re extending our unicorn ecosystem worldwide, becoming the first business school to globalize this unique unicorn-focused curriculum.
Partnerships with Top Companies

Our established partnerships, dating back to 2015, encompass a diverse range of collaborations with prominent Chinese companies and Global 500 leaders – such as Amazon, Alibaba, Bytedance, Baidu, Tencent, JD.com, and Microsoft (China).
Targeting Founders
and Co-founders

Our unicorn programs cater to founders and co-founders of unicorn and aspiring unicorn companies globally. Over 1,188 founders with at least Series A funding, including those behind 151 total unicorn companies and 41 CB Insights-listed unicorns 2017-2022, have studied at CKGSB.
Partnerships with
world-leading institutions

Through our valuable partnerships with leading global institutions, such as Johns Hopkins, Columbia Engineering, SDA Bocconi, we offer unrivalled insights derived from the fusion of Eastern and Western perspectives.

OUR DIFFERENTIATION

THE NEXT GENERATION
OF UNICORNS

Advancing Global Responsibility

Contributing to tackling some of the most pressing issues facing humanity, such as climate change and sustainable development, and global economic recovery.

Cultivating a Long-term Perspective

Promoting equity among generations. Providing long-term incentives for political and business leaders to truly care about the long-term future of humanity and our planet.

Fostering Social
Mobility

Contributing to addressing major social issues, including income and wealth inequality (inclusive growth) and declining social mobility.

PROGRAMS

In collaboration with world-leading institutions, our programs offer unrivalled global perspectives tailored to the needs of each industry.

Flagship Past
programs

Stanford December 2024
UC San Diego September 2024
Paris September 2024
New York June 2024
DUBAI February 2023
MILAN November 2023
SINGAPORE May 2023
SEOUL September 2023

Stanford

UC San Diego

Paris

New York

DUBAI

MILAN

SINGAPORE

SEOUL

StanfordDecember 2024

Scaling for Success in the Age of AI

In December 2024 at Stanford’s University campus, we held Scaling for Success in the Age of AI in partnership with the Stanford Engineering Center for Global & Online Education. Led by industry experts, a world-class faulty and corporate leaders from AWS, Google, Microsoft, Tesla and Netflix, the program covered topics including VC perspectives on AI, how AI is deployed at scale in leading enterprises, and advancement in robotics.

Partners

UC San DiegoSeptember 2024

The Biotech Innovation Program

We partnered with UC San Diego in September 2024 to offer startups in the biotech industry the tools to scale up to unicorn status. Participants visited companies such as Avidity Biosciences, BD, and Globus Medical.

Partners

ParisSeptember 2024

Global Unicorn Program in Luxury & Tech

We teamed up with ESCP Business School, to examine how revolutionary technologies are transforming today’s luxury sector, such as generative AI, blockchain, and web 3. Participants went on exclusive field visits including to lure department store Galerie La Fayette, the family-owned luxury leather goods house Létrange, and the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Partners

New YorkJune 2024

Frontiers in Digital Innovation: AI, Future of Tech & Data Science

In June 2024, CKGSB welcomed over 30 founders, CEOs and executives, at Berkeley University’s campus to dive into the latest trends in AI and its impact on the business world. Participants visited AI giants such as Nvidia, AWS, C3.ai, and Autodesk.

Partners

DUBAIFebruary 2023

Unicorn Forum and Module

Our first Global Unicorn program took place in Dubai specifically designed for business leaders in GCC, India, Central Asia and Africa. It was jointly delivered with The Executive Council of Dubai. CKGSB also served as the sole academic partner to the World Government Summit (WGS).

60

60 unicorn and soon-to-be-unicorn entrepreneurs,
CEOs and investors
10

Over 10 countries and regions – including China, Africa, South
Korea, Cyprus, Italy, Russia, Australia, Poland and UAE
500

Over 500 tech firms -Investment pitching opportunities to the DIFC Innovation Hub, a leading innovation ecosystem in UAE with over
500 tech firms

MILANNovember 2023

Global Unicorn Program in Luxury Management: Food, Fashion and Furniture

CKGSB partnered with SDA Bocconi School of Management to offer a unicorn program with a special focus on fashion, food, furniture and luxury management.

Testimonial QUOTE: “This course greatly improved my understanding of market dynamics, helping me to develop innovative strategies to support Lombardy's businesses. The lectures were fascinating, revealing a shift in assessing unicorns based on intrinsic values rather than just market values." -- Giorgio Gallizioli, participant of the program

40%

40% of participants represent companies generating over $1 billion in annual revenues.

Partners

SINGAPOREMay 2023

Unicorn Forum and Module

We partnered with Whampoa Group to explore new challenges and opportunities in the RCEP region.

94

Convened 94 entrepreneurs and investors. Participants were from public enterprises and start-up companies ranging from Series D to Pre-IPO stage
7

Participants came from over 7 countries including Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Switzerland

Partners

SEOULSeptember 2023

Unicorn Forum and Module

CKGSB partnered with South Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Seoul Metropolitan Government and Maekyung Media Group for this unique unicorn program that focused the regions advanced startup ecosystem such as med-tech, culture and entertainment and e-sports.

The program took participants on company visits and pitching with leading companies such as Genesis, Yanolja and Samsung.

Partners

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Pioneering Unicorn-specific Programs First in China, Now Globally.

In 2015, we established ourselves as the pioneering business school to introduce programs tailored specifically for unicorn companies in China, collaborating with industry giants like Alibaba, Tencent, JD.com, Baidu, and ByteDance. In 2016, we expanded this ecosystem globally, offering programs for unicorns.

Today, our partnerships extend to renowned institutions such as Columbia Engineering, the Stanford Center for Professional Development, SDA Bocconi, and The Executive Council of Dubai, offering you invaluable insights and strategies for scaling up across diverse international markets.

Our unicorn ecosystem in numbers

Alumni
Founders
Companies which have made unicorn status
Companies listed on CB Insights
(2017-2022)

Sato KATSUHIRO, Professor, Waseda Business School - Global Unicorn Program Singapore

I truly felt that the program was excellently structured with a smooth flow of content. It covered strategic competitiveness, customer-centricity, supply chain, digital aspects, and featured real voices from guest speakers and terrific entrepreneurs.

Sato KATSUHIRO, Professor, Waseda Business School - Global Unicorn Program Singapore

FAN Min, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board for Ctrip.com

It’s a pleasure to participate in CKGSB’s Global Unicorn Program, especially with an internationally renowned university like Columbia University. I believe that we are entering the ‘intelligent era’ and with that we’ll have a lot of questions for where we are headed in the future. It’s a valuable opportunity to learn from experienced professors and scholars, including many industry practitioners.

FAN Min, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board for Ctrip.com
Charles GUAN, CTO and Co-founder of Rich Data Co.

I would wholeheartedly recommend CKGSB’s Global Unicorn Program to aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders. With exceptional professors, well-designed courses, and a vibrant student community, CKGSB offers invaluable resources for scale-ups looking to accelerate their growth and achieve long-term success.

Charles GUAN, CTO and Co-founder of Rich Data Co.