University of Sydney Business School and CKGSB partner to foster unicorns in new energy and industrial disruption in Asia

Fostering the next generation of unicorns with a focus on new energy, digitalisation and disruption to traditional industries in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region will be the focus of a new strategic partnership between The University of Sydney Business School and Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB).

Announced on 13 August 2024 in Sydney, the partnership further leverages the University of Sydney Business School’s research into the dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystems throughout Australia and Asia, enhancing Australia's integration into Asian value chains.

Professor Leisa Sargent, Dean of the University of Sydney Business School and Bing Xiang, Founding Dean and Dean’s Distinguished Chair Professor of China Business and Globalisation at CKGSB, signed the agreement on behalf of both schools.

Professor Sargent noted: “This collaboration represents a significant step towards integrating cutting-edge digital and environmental, social, and governance strategies in traditional sectors, further enriching our commitment to shaping industry-ready leaders who can navigate and innovate in complex, global markets.”

Unicorns are privately owned start-up companies valued at over US$1 billion. The University of Sydney has a proud history supporting the formation of successful start-ups, including skin repair innovator Elastagen and therapeutics developer Kinoxis.

“Unicorn companies play a key role in generating economic disruption, which is central to economic development and social advancement for both developed nations like Australia and developing economies. This is particularly important in promoting upward social mobility, especially among young people,” said Dean Xiang.

“CKGSB has spent years working with leading schools and institutions to build a global ecosystem for the next generation of unicorn and soon-to-be-unicorn companies, with a renewed and enhanced emphasis on global responsibility, social purpose and long-term perspective. We are delighted to partner with the University of Sydney to offer a program that can help future unicorn leaders to sustainably grow in Australia and the broader Asia-Pacific region.”

The Global Unicorn Program on New Energy and Disruption of Traditional Industries in Sydney combines CKGSB’s attested strengths in educating established and future unicorn leaders with the University of Sydney Business School’s Asia-Pacific expertise and ability to produce industry-ready talents.  

This compact program aims to develop growth-stage entrepreneurs, investors and government officials, especially those engaged in new energy and green economy sectors, to upskill their digitalisation capabilities, incorporate ESG into their business operations and policymaking processes, and explore growth opportunities in Australian and Asia-Pacific markets.

The program is now open for applications and will take place from February 11–14, 2025 in Sydney. For more information about the program, please visit: https://english.ckgsb.edu.cn/program/new-energy-and-the-disruption-of-traditional-industries/ 

CKGSB’s Global Unicorn Programs are region- and sector-focused, spanning across RCEP, GCC, Europe and the Americas, covering future tech and deep tech, life sciences and healthcare, luxury management and social innovation. The programs are offered in partnership with leading schools like Stanford, Columbia Engineering, UC San Diego, Johns Hopkins, ESMT, ESCP, and the University of Sydney, and top institutions, such as the Executive Council of Dubai, Ministry of SMEs and Startups of South Korea, Seoul Metropolitan Government and UNESCO, to offer rich, interdisciplinary knowledge to participants.