The Emerging Markets: Innovation and Scaling for Exponential Growth is an executive program in South Africa designed for entrepreneurs, business leaders and decision-makers who want to drive innovation, expand globally, and scale faster in today’s most dynamic markets.
Developed in partnership between Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB), Columbia Engineering, the Ivy League engineering school of Columbia University, and the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI), the program goes far beyond classroom theory.
Over four intensive days, you will:
By the end of the program, you will not only have new insights but also practical ideas for scaling your company globally and positioning it to thrive amid disruption.
Learn how AI, robotics, and Industry 4.0 technologies come together to form intelligent digital ecosystems. Draw from real-world cases on tech giants like Tencent.
Develop innovative business models tailored to South Africa’s dynamic economy and adaptable across other emerging markets.
Gain on-the-ground insights through sessions with local experts and exclusive company visits to leading enterprises. Understand how South Africa is positioning itself as Africa’s gateway for global business and investment.
Apply insights from CKGSB and Columbia Engineering’s world-class professors, who will offer practical, research backed strategies, directly to scale your business globally.
Form strategic connections with entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, and corporate leaders from Africa, China, and beyond. Build cross-border partnerships that can unlock new opportunities for your company.
This program is designed for corporate decision-makers ready to scale, innovate, and transform their business in emerging markets:
In the unlikely event that a program is cancelled, participants will receive a full refund of any tuition paid, or may choose to transfer their enrollment to a future session or another CKGSB open-enrollment program, based on availability.
Founding Dean and Professor of China Business and Globalization, CKGSB
Associate Professor of Marketing, Executive Academic Director of EMBA Program, CKGSB
James and sally scapa professor of innovation in the department of mechanical engineering; co-director, maker space facility; chair, department of mechanical engineering
With over 20,000 members, SACCI is a cornerstone of South Africa’s business community, advocating for sustainable economic growth and fostering connections across sectors. It is committed to empowering SMEs, scaling businesses, and driving innovation across South Africa and beyond.
Since 1864, the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science at Columbia University has been a resource to the world for major advances in human progress. Today, Columbia Engineering is a global leader in engineering education, research, and impact. Located in the heart of New York City, the school convenes more than 250 faculty members and 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students to push the frontiers of knowledge and solve humanity’s most pressing problems. As impassioned problem solvers and prolific innovators, Columbia Engineering is united in its drive to combine deep knowledge with directed action to impact human progress. The school is not only a source of innovation but also a catalyst for entrepreneurial collaboration across multiple fields.
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