Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB), in collaboration with the University of Sydney Business School, successfully launched the inaugural Global Unicorn Program Sydney Module – New Energy and the Disruption of Traditional Industries from February 11-14. The program, which focused on innovation within the RCEP business landscape and opportunities for Chinese and Australian businesses, brought together over 30 distinguished founders, CEOs, chairmen, and business leaders from diverse sectors. Participants had the opportunity to share insights, explore new business opportunities, and engage in discussions on driving innovation and sustainability across borders.
The four-day program combined theoretical insights with real-world applications, offering participants a comprehensive understanding of key trends shaping the new energy landscape and disruptive innovation. Led by expert faculty from CKGSB and the University of Sydney, the sessions provided deep insights into emerging opportunities across China, Australia, and the broader RCEP region. CKGSB’s Dean Xiang delivered a compelling lecture on “The Next Generation of Unicorns and Social Innovation”, exploring the critical factors driving the rise of high-growth companies.
Dr. Wei Li from the University of Sydney shared her expertise on Australia and RCEP’s Renewable Energy Market and Opportunities, highlighting investment potential and policy landscapes. Other key sessions included discussions on Bottleneck Technologies for New Energy, Global Digital Transformation, and a dynamic Unicorn Panel featuring success stories from ASEAN, China, and South Korea. Additionally, the program examined Oceania’s Entrepreneurial Successes, offering valuable insights into the region’s thriving innovation ecosystem.
Beyond the classroom, participants engaged in exclusive site visits, including a tour of the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and the Tech Central Scale-Up Hub, providing firsthand exposure to Australia’s financial and technology sectors. This immersive program empowered executives with the knowledge, strategies, and networks necessary to navigate the evolving landscape of new energy and disruptive innovation in the Asia-Pacific.
On the first day of the program, the 2025 RCEP Business Forum, co-hosted by CKGSB and the University of Sydney Business School, provided insights into shifting trade dynamics and the global energy transition. Professor Steven Maguire welcomed over 120 business leaders, policymakers, and academics, while Former Australian Trade Minister Andrew Robb AO discussed globalization’s impact on supply chains. Maroun El Khoury, Executive Director of Investment NSW, highlighted Australia’s $3.1 billion investment in renewable energy zones. CKGSB’s Founding Dean Bing Xiang emphasized RCEP’s role in global trade amid geopolitical frictions, while Associate Dean Li Wei underscored the urgency of green energy, noting that renewables are now the cost-saving choice.
The program advances CKGSB’s mission to foster innovation and scale, empowering the next generation of unicorns and driving economic disruption. It successfully brought together visionary leaders, equipping them with the tools and insights to lead in today’s rapidly evolving global landscape. Building on the success of this inaugural program, we invite you to join us for the 2026 Sydney and Melbourne Programs. This one-week experience will continue exploring transformative opportunities in the dynamic RCEP and Asia-Pacific markets, Australia’s pivotal role in the transition to net-zero emissions, and the technological disruptions reshaping traditional industries.
