PROGRAMS
Three pathways. Different starting points.
Learn, build and validate real demand through three programs.
Venture Builders
For international students and early teams
Ideas, customer validation, team formation and pitching.
Launchpad
For teams preparing to enter China
Entry assessment, establishment preparation, policy and basic operations.
Venture Studio
For researchers and mature ventures
Challenge matching, localization, corporate pilots and commercial collaboration.
PATHWAY 01 · Idea to Venture
Venture Builders
For international students, young talent and early teams, organized by Startup Alliance with university entrepreneurship networks and mentors.
Purpose
Move from entrepreneurial interest to a defined problem, team and venture proposition.
What participants receive
Venture training, customer validation, business-model support, team formation, mentor feedback and pitch preparation.
What participants build
A venture proposition and pitch, with connections to follow-on incubation, competitions and support.
Delivered seven-day cohort: 49 international master's and doctoral students from 28 countries and 25 universities; 12 ventures presented at Demo Day. The path combines campus sourcing, venture training, mentors, team formation, incubation and ITEC access.
PATHWAY 02 · Prepare to Land
Launchpad
For technology founders ready to establish or operate in China, including overseas teams, international-student founders and competition ventures.
Assessment, milestones, establishment and specialist coordination, a policy roadmap, mentors and customer introductions. Outputs are a clear venture plan, operating foundations and the next validation milestones.
A clear point of contact
A founder account manager coordinates services, mentors and milestone reviews.
A written venture plan
Agree scope, outputs, timing and costs in a tailored written proposal.
Validate the business
Test customer demand and operating assumptions to inform the next stage.
Scope is agreed per venture; policy support, approvals, investment, customers and pilots are not guaranteed.
PATHWAY 03 · Build with Partners
Venture Studio
For Chinese technology companies exploring global opportunities with international venture teams.
Chinese technology × international venture teams × global market validation
Technology starting point
Chinese companies bring deployable technology, commercial intent and a defined challenge.
Build together
Match international entrepreneurs, PhDs, technical specialists and market talent.
Evidence-based decisions
Test customer needs, technology fit and business models; assess pilots, licensing or venture creation.
Market assessment, customer evidence, an application or product concept and a next-stage recommendation. IP, contributions and deliverables are separately agreed.
PhD and scholar industry practice sits within this pathway. Co-building scope, IP, contributions and deliverables are agreed for each project.
Not sure which pathway fits?
Tell us about your venture and stage — we will point you to the right pathway and the next concrete step.
Book a free consultation →