Fellowship Program
E-learning or Hybrid learning | Executive Program
Via our Fellowship Program, we provide selected individuals a one-year intensive learning opportunity and extended hands-on guided support focused on entrepreneurship in China, thoroughly preparing aspiring entrepreneurs to successfully launching their business venture, which can be a new start-up or expansion of existing foreign business into China.
In phase 1 of the program, we support you by developing foundational knowledge, and facilitating an on the ground fact-finding mission to China. You combine desktop research and perform applied research following the site visit to China, where new gained information and first-hand insights will be incorporated in the investment plan for the new business venture.
In phase 2 of the program, we continue to support by developing further management knowledge required for efficiently managing daily operations. Dedicated post establishment management support includes providing professional executive coaching to our new entrepreneurs.
During the program we provide leadership assessment resources, a network of peers, and sector expertise, and introductions to providers of targeted financial capital.
Target audience
- Individuals with an interest to establish their business venture in China
- International organizations looking to expand their permanent business presence into China
Delivery
We apply a blended approach to realize an optimized learning experience:
- Executive courses part of the development of knowledge includes online asynchronous and synchronous delivery, enabling the fellow to progress through the materials at an own pace, as well as direct 1:1 in-person and/or online contact with the course professors.
- Intensive in-person guidance and support in preparation to as well as during the factfinding mission to China and subsequent applied research for the preparation of the personalized business plan.
- Regular 1:1 in-person and/or online professional executive coaching.
Duration
The China Fellowship Program takes one year to complete, based on an average time commitment of 15 hours per week.
- Phase 1: Business launch preparation – 6 months
- Phase 2: Business acceleration – 6 months
The first phase of the program prepares fellows for entrepreneurship in China. This phase of the program is aimed at strengthening knowledge and understanding of China’s business landscape, the legal and compliance requirements related to establishing and operating a business venture in China.
Foundational Knowledge
First step is to develop essential knowledge in accordance with applicable Chinese law and regulations on the establishment and modeling of an organization. This newfound knowledge is further complemented with first-hand insights and experiences provided by experienced China-based entrepreneurs. Fellows will develop their foundational knowledge by learning via Digital Campus. Standard study mode is asynchronous, which allows fellows to study at their own convenience.
Focus | Topics |
Investment | Direct and indirect investment structuring Foreign and domestic investment structuring Fully owned vs (Sino-foreign) co-ownership Legal entity selection Localization Incorporation Exit strategy |
Organizational design | Business modeling Organizational Integration (in the case of expansion of existing business into China) Inhouse performance vs outsourcing of corporate functions |
Market and industry | Market and industry intelligence on macro, meso, micro economic level, determining the impact on short, middle, and long term Market and industry attractiveness per segment |
Strategy | Goal identification Strategy formulation |
Factfinding / Applied Research
During phase 1 of the program a factfinding mission to China will be organized*. During this mission multiple site visits will be organized which allow fellows to first-hand experience the characteristics of China’s business environment.
Fellows will participate in matchmaking sessions to obtain relevant contacts who can contribute towards their business case. During the factfinding mission we aim to bring the fellows in contact with incubators, accelerators, localization, and institutional investors relevant to their project, to whom the business ventures will be pitched.
* Organization of an in-person or virtual mission depends on developments of covid-related travel requirements and restrictions.
Focus | Topics |
Matchmaking I – Investment | Representatives from selected Investment Promotion Agencies, Economic Development Zones, Business Parks, Incubators & Accelerators |
Matchmaking II – Organizational design | Representatives from selected corporate service providers (legal, accounting & finance, human resources, and other qualifications pending business interest) |
Matchmaking III – Market and industry | Representatives from selected Chambers of Commerce, foreign embassies and consulates, trade offices Selected business representatives pending business interest |
During the second phase of the program, you will establish your business venture in China. We remain closely connected and provide you with essential management knowledge related to managing business operations in China, as well as customized coaching support to accelerate business development supporting better informed business decisions.
Management Knowledge
Fellows will develop management knowledge by learning via Digital Campus. Standard study mode is asynchronous, which allows you to study at their own convenience.
Focus | Topics |
Human Resources
| Recruitment Employment contracts Payroll, social insurance contribution and Individual Income Tax Effective personnel management |
Business Development
| Fundamentals of sales contracts under Chinese law B2B + B2C marketing in China Chinese business culture and negotiations Preparing for expositions, trade fairs and roadshows in China |
Intellectual Property | Trademarks Patents Copyrights Geographical indicators |
Executive coaching
Our executive coaching aims to help fellows with their unique personal situation of their leadership role and the planned course of their business venture. We do this by asking critical questions, holding up mirrors, presenting ideas, presenting surprising perspectives and sharing experiences. Both from a business and personal perspective. In the process candidates broaden their horizons and learn to see surprising possibilities or solutions.
Focus | Topics |
Organizational coaching | Enhancement of overall performance of the organization |
Leadership coaching | Growth and development of personal leadership skills |
Performance coaching | Improvement of work performance and efficiency |
Outcomes Phase 1
Successful completion of Phase 1 of the Fellowship Program results in achievement of the following outcomes:
- A well-researched business plan.
- First-hand insight and experience of China’s business environment.
- New gained contacts relevant to the development of the new business venture.
- New gained foundational knowledge related to performing investment, organizational design, market- and industry and strategy formulation.
Upon successful completion of Phase 1, you will make the decision whether or not to establish their business venture in China. A private decision to be made. When the decision is made to proceed with incorporation, you will move onwards towards Phase 2 of the Program.
Students who decide not (directly) to establish a business venture will receive a Diploma in Entrepreneurship in China issued by the Institute for China Studies acknowledging their performance in the program. Deferred entry into Phase 2 of the Program is possible up to 1 year after completion of Phase 1.
Outcomes Phase 2
Successful completion of Phase 2 of the Fellowship Program results in achievement of the following outcomes:
- Establishment of the business venture in China.
- Becoming member of the China Entrepreneur’s Cycle, connecting with peers and relevant business contacts.
- New gained managerial knowledge related to human resources management, sales and business development and protection of intellectual property.
- New gained knowledge and insights in the execution of your new leadership role, customized towards the business case delivered via 1:1 executive coaching.
Upon successful completion of Phase 2, you will be able to successfully manage their business operations in China and have developed a business network relevant to their organizations. You will receive an Advanced Diploma in Entrepreneurship issued by the Institute for China Studies acknowledging their performance in the program.
After completion of the program
Committed to success, after completion of the program, we remain in close contact with you. For regular contact our China Entrepreneur’s Circle forms an important platform for maintaining and gaining new business contacts. Upon completion, students become ambassadors of the program by sharing insights and experiences to new students via public speaking at our networking events, factfinding missions to China, seminars, and webinars.
At the start of Phase 2 of the program, you will incorporate your business venture in China. Committed to long-term success, we optionally perform co-investment into selected business ventures, resulting into acquiring a minority shareholding. Preconditions for co-investment include an excellent performance during the first phase of the program, as well as the composition of a well-researched business plan which is deemed highly feasible, and which is directly executional.
Stages
- Pre-startup
- Early-stage startup
Industries
- […]
Locations
- Preferred locations for co-investment include mainland China’s Yangtze River Delta, which includes Shanghai municipality, Jiangsu province, Anhui province, Zhejiang province, as well as Hong Kong S.A.R.
Term
- The initial co-investment term ranges between 3 and 5 years, although extension of the term is possible.
We understand that realizing sustainable business growth in China can be difficult and that organizations may lack the internal resources to execute new strategies.
Our publications, courses and programs are designed to continuously develop you(r teams) understanding, insights, skills and qualifications related to doing business in China and with Chinese enterprises. We understand that organizations sometimes have a need for direct, actionable information and intelligence, or require immediate specialized business support.
Therefore, the Institute for China Studies is transforming research knowledge in the following actionable business solutions in the fields of Foreign Direct Investment & Market Entry, Business Intelligence, Business Development, Corporate Finance & Accounting and Risk Management.
How we deliver value
Tailored knowledge
Factfinding mission to China
Professional executive coaching
Dedicated business support
Our program includes executive courses part of the development of knowledge, enabling the fellow to progress through the materials at an own pace, as well as direct 1:1 in-person and/or online contact with the course professors.
During the first half year of our program a factfinding visit to China is organized, where students gain new information and first-hand insights to be incorporated in the investment plan for the new business venture.
During the program our fellows will receive 1:1 professional coaching with a hands-on and experienced China-focused entrepreneur who helps set priorities, discusses options and pitfalls and supports you with practical knowledge, in order to get results faster.
We understand that realizing sustainable business growth in China can be difficult and that organizations may lack the internal resources to execute new strategies. We transform research knowledge in actionable business solutions.
Contact us
Would you like to know more?
Would you like more information about the course and the admission requirements? Then request a free study consultation. Of course, free of charge and without obligation. This way you will learn more about the content of the entrepreneurship program, the teaching materials, the factfinding mission to China, the online learning environment and professional 1:1 coaching.