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Global Unicorn Program: Scaling for Success in the Age of AI Global Unicorn Program: Scaling for Success in the Age of AI Global Unicorn Program: Scaling for Success in the Age of AI

Global Unicorn Program: Scaling for Success in the Age of AI

Global Unicorn Program Series

Global Unicorn Program: Scaling for Success in the Age of AI

Next editions September 29 – October 3, 2025;
December 8-12, 2025

Fee $12,800 / $18,200

Language English

Location Stanford University Campus, California, United States

A program by CKGSB and the Stanford Engineering Center for Global & Online Education

In collaboration with the Stanford Engineering Center for Global & Online Education, this program equips entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs and key stakeholders with the tools, insights, and skills necessary to lead a new generation of unicorn companies.

Contact us Apply now

    Program Overview

    Step into the future of business with “Scaling for Success in the Age of AI,” an educational initiative between the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) and the Stanford Engineering Center for Global & Online Education.

    This immersive in-person executive education program offers a custom curated curriculum designed to equip you with the indispensable tools, profound insights, and expert skills needed to spearhead the evolution of AI-powered enterprises and successfully scale up into the next stage. Guided by world-class faculty from CKGSB and Stanford University as well as visionary industry experts, you’ll grasp the intricacies of AI integration and tackle challenges facing fast-growing companies.

    Immerse yourself in cross-cultural dialogues, delve into tangible AI and robotics labs, and foster collaboration with peers representing diverse backgrounds united by a shared commitment to pioneering growth. As you embark on this transformative journey, you’ll emerge as a trailblazer of technological innovation, exploring uncharted territories, forging invaluable connections, and unlocking the full potential of AI-driven solutions for your business.

    Why Choose this Program?

    Why Choose this Program?

    Gain Insights from the East and West

    Learn and engage with world-class faculty from East and West as well as key decision-makers across public and private sectors, influential investors, and global innovators.

    Dive into the World’s Leading Technology and Innovation Hub

    Immerse yourself in the world of Silicon Valley and exchange best practices with entrepreneurs and unicorn founders to supercharge your business with innovative strategies.

    Global Innovation Ecosystem

    Join a global cohort of accomplished peers who are driving socially responsible growth.

    Company Visits

    Gain exclusive access to tech giants with insider visits to Google, Microsoft, and Tesla, unlocking invaluable insights for your unicorn journey.

    Who Should Attend?

    This program is tailored for the following organizations and individuals:
    • Entrepreneurs and Intrapreneurs looking to accelerate their paths toward generating economic impact or receive a mass infusion of capital.
    • Investors who want to stay attuned to the next breakthrough technologies and capitalize on the latest mega-trends.
    • Senior Executives in established organizations who are keen to grasp exceptional business opportunities and sustain competitiveness globally.
    • Privately companies, previously conservative in growth, now seek significant geographical or product expansion to attract new investment.

    Program Fee

    • Option 1: $12,800
      Includes tuition and course materials
    • Option 2: $18,200
      Includes tuition and course materials, 4-star hotel accommodation, meals, ice-breaking activities, airport transportation, daily commute service, etc.
      For both options above, CKGSB alumni receive up to 20% off the program fee (talk to our regional representative, found on the back cover of this brochure to apply).

    CKGSB Faculty

    Bing XIANG

    Dr. Xiang Bing is the Founding Dean and Dean’s Distinguished Chair Professor of China Business and Globalization at Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB). Under his leadership, CKGSB has evolved from a fledgling school to one of the most influential business schools in China with a global reputation since 2002.

    Hong CHEN (Academic Director)

    Dr. Chen Hong is Professor of Management Science at the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB). He is one of the founding faculty members of CKGSB and the Associate Dean for Americas. He is also the director of the Clean Energy and Carbon Neutral Development Research Center in CKGSB.

    Ming ZENG

    Ming Zeng is currently Chairman of the Academic Council of the Alibaba Group, an e-commerce, retail, and technology company, based in Hangzhou, China. He served as Chief Strategy Officer of the company from 2006-2017. He has been working closely with Jack Ma, and played an important role in shaping the strategy of the Alibaba Group. Zeng was the founding faculty and former professor of Strategic Management in Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB).

    Stanford Faculty

    Yi Cui

    Yi Cui is the Fortinet Founders Professor and a Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Energy Science and Engineering, and Photon Science at Stanford University. He is also a Senior Fellow at Woods and a Professor, by courtesy, of Chemistry. Cui studies the fundamentals and applications of nanomaterials and develops tools to better understand them. His research interests include nanotechnology, batteries, electrocatalysis, wearables, 2D materials, environmental technology (water, air, soil), and cryogenic electron microscopy.

    Pamela HINDS (Academic Director)

    Pamela Hinds is Fortinet Founders Chair and Professor of Management Science & Engineering, Co-Director of the Center on Work, Technology, and Organization and on the Director's Council for the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design. She studies the effect of technology on teams, collaboration, and innovation. Pamela has conducted extensive research on the dynamics of cross-boundary work teams, particularly those spanning national borders. Pamela is a Senior Editor of Organization Science. She is also co-editor with Sara Kiesler of the book Distributed Work (MIT Press).

    Hau L. LEE

    Hau L. Lee is the Thoma Professor of Operations, Information and Technology at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. His areas of specialization include global value chain innovations, supply chain management, global logistics, inventory modeling, and environmental and social responsibility. Professor Lee has published widely in journals such as Management Science, Operations Research, Harvard Business Review, Sloan Management Review etc. From 1997-2003, he was the Editor-in-Chief of Management Science. Professor Lee was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2010.

    Melissa Valentine

    Professor Melissa Valentine is an Associate Professor at Stanford University in the Management Science and Engineering Department. Prof Valentine studies how technology is changing work and organizations. Recent studies include how experts can develop new capabilities and expertise using algorithms and how managers can use AI and algorithms to design and manage flash teams. She and collaborators have received best paper awards for research in both management and HCI conferences. Her work has been covered in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, Wired, Fast Company, and The Financial Times.

    Carissa Little

    Carissa Little is the Associate Dean of Engineering for Global and Online Education, Stanford center for professional development. She oversees the unit responsible for developing and delivering online, in-person, and blended Stanford learning experiences to matriculated Stanford students and to learners around the world.

    Michael Bernstein

    Michael Bernstein is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Stanford University, where he is a Bass University Fellow and STMicroelectronics Faculty Scholar. His research in human-computer interaction focuses on the design of social computing systems. This research has won best paper awards at top conferences in human-computer interaction, including CHI, CSCW, ICWSM, and UIST, and has been reported in venues such as The New York Times, Science, Wired, and The Guardian.

    Kuang Xu

    Kuang Xu is a Tenured Associate Professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business. He is an expert in Operations Research, AI and Data Science innovation, supply chains and logistics, and data-driven decision-making. He is a Co-Creator of AI and Data Science Strategy, the first Stanford course focusing on the strategy, management and entrepreneurship of AI and Data Science. He is a Co-Director of the Stanford GSB Value Chain Innovation Initiative.

    * Stanford's faculty is subject to change

    Industry Speakers

    Eric Colson

    Eric Colson is the former Chief Algorithms Officer Emeritus at Stitch Fix, and former VP of Data Science & Engineering at Netflix.

    About the Organizers

    Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business

    Established in Beijing in November 2002, CKGSB is China’s first privately-funded and research-driven business school. The school aims to cultivate transformative business leaders with a global vision, social responsibility, innovative mindset, and the ability to lead with empathy and compassion.

    Stanford Engineering Center for Global & Online Education

    The Stanford Engineering Center for Global & Online Education is the global and online education unit within Stanford Engineering and the operator of Stanford Online, the School of Engineering’s portal for academic, professional, and lifelong education offered by schools and centers throughout Stanford University. CGOE (formally known as Stanford Center for Professional Development) has been a leader in global, online, and extended education since 1995, working closely with faculty across Stanford University to design and deliver educational programs to learners worldwide. CGOE extends access to Stanford credit-bearing graduate courses and degrees, credentialed professional and executive education, and lifelong learning to a global audience. https://cgoe.stanford.edu/

    Any questions? Contact our program manager

    Ms. Renee RONG

    Program Manager

    +1(781) 333 9055

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