Future CEO: Beijing
Discover what it takes to build, fund and lead a business through hands-on challenges in entrepreneurship, strategy and finance.
See what the experience is like
Think like a CEO
Could you turn a business idea into a company worth investing in, all before you leave school?
Over two weeks at Zhongguancun Software Park in Beijing, students will explore what it takes to build, manage and grow a business alongside ProEd tutors and UK industry professionals. From developing their own business ideas and researching customers to exploring corporate strategy, marketing and financial markets, students will experience both the entrepreneurial and corporate sides of business.
They'll step into the CEO's shoes through leadership challenges, test their instincts in a trading simulation and discover how investors evaluate business opportunities. Industry visits will offer further insight into how major technology companies operate in China's Silicon Valley.
The programme concludes with the ProEd Zhongguancun Challenge, where students turn their business ideas into complete business plans and pitch them to their tutor acting as an investor.
Students leave with practical business experience, a deeper understanding of leadership and entrepreneurship, a ProEd Certificate of Completion and a letter of recommendation.
Key highlights
Find your big idea
Put human creativity against AI in a business idea challenge and discover how entrepreneurs turn ideas into viable opportunities.
Step into the CEO's shoes
Explore how major companies are structured and led, then take on strategic decisions through a high-pressure leadership challenge.
Understand finance & markets
Discover how companies are financed, explore stocks and bonds and put your knowledge to the test in a live trading simulation.
Pitch like a founder
Develop a business model, explore marketing and negotiation strategies and prepare to pitch your idea from an investor's perspective.
Why Beijing for Summer 2027?
Beijing is one of the world's leading centres for technology, business and innovation, making it an exciting destination for students interested in entrepreneurship, finance and leadership.
At Zhongguancun Software Park, students will explore how businesses are built and grown, from developing startup ideas to understanding the strategies behind major technology companies.
Through practical business challenges, teaching by UK industry professionals and industry visits, students gain insight into how companies operate and how business leaders make decisions.
Programme timetable
Timetable is a guide only and may be subject to change.
Find your big idea
- Take on a human versus AI challenge to develop an original business idea
- Discover how entrepreneurs identify opportunities and turn ideas into businesses
- Begin developing your own business concept
Inside a big company
- Explore how major technology companies are structured and led
- Step into the CEO's shoes in a high-pressure leadership challenge
- Discover how business leaders approach strategic decisions
Know your market
- Research potential customers and analyse the competition
- Explore how startups test business ideas before investing
- Develop your business model and identify what makes it viable
Grow your business
- Explore marketing, branding and social media strategies
- Create a campaign to reach your target customers
- Discover what it takes to do business in China
Follow the money
- Learn how to read business finances and understand financial markets
- Explore stocks, bonds and how investment works
- Put your financial knowledge to the test in a trading simulation
The art of the deal
- Explore negotiation strategies and how business deals are made
- Discover how venture capital and private equity investors assess opportunities
- Prepare to pitch and defend your business idea from an investor's perspective
The Zhongguancun Business Plan Challenge
- Develop your business idea throughout the programme
- Bring your research, strategy and financial planning together into a complete business plan
- Pitch your proposal to your tutor acting as an investor during the final two days
Find your big idea
- Take on a human versus AI challenge to develop an original business idea
- Discover how entrepreneurs identify opportunities and turn ideas into businesses
- Begin developing your own business concept
Inside a big company
- Explore how major technology companies are structured and led
- Step into the CEO's shoes in a high-pressure leadership challenge
- Discover how business leaders approach strategic decisions
Know your market
- Research potential customers and analyse the competition
- Explore how startups test business ideas before investing
- Develop your business model and identify what makes it viable
Grow your business
- Explore marketing, branding and social media strategies
- Create a campaign to reach your target customers
- Discover what it takes to do business in China
Follow the money
- Learn how to read business finances and understand financial markets
- Explore stocks, bonds and how investment works
- Put your financial knowledge to the test in a trading simulation
The art of the deal
- Explore negotiation strategies and how business deals are made
- Discover how venture capital and private equity investors assess opportunities
- Prepare to pitch and defend your business idea from an investor's perspective
The Zhongguancun Business Plan Challenge
- Develop your business idea throughout the programme
- Bring your research, strategy and financial planning together into a complete business plan
- Pitch your proposal to your tutor acting as an investor during the final two days
The ProEd Zhongguancun Challenge
The programme concludes with the ProEd Zhongguancun Challenge, where students bring together everything they've learned to develop and pitch their own business ideas.
Your business plan
Throughout the programme, students develop their ideas step by step, exploring market research, business models, marketing strategies and finance. In the final two days, they'll bring these elements together into a complete business plan.
How it’s supervised
Guided by ProEd tutors with industry experience, students refine their proposals and prepare an investor-style pitch. They'll present their plans to their tutor acting as an investor, with fellow students taking part in the experience.
The Challenge: Can you convince an investor that your business idea is worth backing?
What's included
Included in the fee
Breakfast at the hotel; lunch and dinner at selected local restaurants nearby.
All day travel costs covered
Not included
What past students say
Starts 5 Jul