On September 3, 82 Global BBA Year 2 students from emlyon business school’s 2026 Fall Asia Campus Semester (ACS) stepped into neoBay · Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship Community, marking the launch of a key practical component of the 2026 Project Creation & Entrepreneurship (PCE) course.

As part of the PCE learning experience at emlyon’s Asia Campus, ACS connected with its long-standing partner, neoBay, bringing learning beyond the classroom and into China’s real-world innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. By connecting students with innovation and entrepreneurship platforms, industry companies, and international entrepreneurs building businesses in China, the program offered students a more authentic and diverse perspective on the Chinese market, enabling them to observe how technology, industry and business come together beyond the classroom.

Under the theme “Beyond Stereotypes — How Can Technology Truly Be Transformed into Business in China?”, the event combined an introduction to the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, a course introduction, corporate case studies, and a roundtable discussion. Together, these sessions extended the learning objectives of PCE into a real-world Chinese innovation environment and offered students new perspectives as they begin exploring and developing their own projects.

From Technological Transformation to the Bigger Picture

The first part of the event focused on the connections between technological innovation, industrial development and social transformation. Dr. Zhigang ZHANG, Associate Professor of Student Innovation Center of Shanghai, Jiao Tong University, Board Member and General Manager of Shanghai neoBay Venture Capital Co., Ltd, Secretary-General of International Ecosystem for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IEIE), Chairman of the Board of Shanghai neoSystem Future Industry Technology Promotion Center, delivered a keynote on “The Synergy Between Technology, Industry and Society in the Era of the Machine Intelligence Revolution.”

Against the backdrop of the rapid development of machine intelligence, the session explored the relationship between technology, industry and society, providing students with a broader framework for understanding the ecosystem in which technological innovation takes place.

For students learning about project creation and entrepreneurship, technology itself is only one part of business innovation. Understanding technology within the wider context of industrial and social development is equally important when considering how technological innovation can move from an idea to real-world application.

Following the keynote, Mr. Yang XU, International Cooperation Manager of Shanghai neoBay Venture Capital Co., Ltd., Director of Shanghai Minhang Overseas Talent Entrepreneurship Park introduced students to the neoBay innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Built around the resources of universities, research institutions, companies, investors and other stakeholders, neoBay has developed an open and collaborative innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. For students entering this environment for the first time, the session provided a closer look at the different players involved in China’s innovation and entrepreneurship landscape, as well as the real-world environment in which innovative projects move from ideas to implementation.

From the Classroom to Practice

The next session was led by Dr. Jane ZHANG, Adjunct Professor at emlyon business school’s Asia Campus, who introduced the PCE course and its practical objectives. As a key practical component of PCE, the accelerator moved students’ learning environment beyond the classroom and into an innovation and entrepreneurship hub. Through corporate case studies, industry exchanges and discussions, students had the opportunity to explore real examples of technology entrepreneurship in China.

This approach also reflects emlyon’s educational philosophy of putting practice and action at the heart of learning. Students are not only expected to develop project ideas, but also to observe real-world problems, understand market needs and consider how technology can be transformed into solutions that create tangible value.

Dr. ZHANG also highlighted the importance of teamwork and time management throughout the course, encouraging students to move beyond ideas and take concrete steps toward bringing their projects to life.

From Corporate Cases to Commercialization

During the corporate sessions, representatives from different technology-driven companies shared concrete examples from their respective industries.

Dr. Simon WANG, CEO of SHANGHAI HANGSHU TECH, introduced the company as an “industrial digitalization solutions provider.” He also emphasized the determination and commitment required to become an entrepreneur, drawing a clear contrast between university life and the realities of entrepreneurship.

He explained that for technology start-ups to establish themselves in an intensely competitive market, they need to rely on proprietary technologies while also building trust-based partnerships. Entrepreneurs must also develop a solid understanding of areas such as legal and financial management, which are essential to navigating the realities of running a business.

Next, Dr. Xiao LU, CEO of Shanghai Bio-lu Biomaterials Co., Ltd., delivered a presentation on “Innovative Biomaterials for Bone Regeneration.”

Moving from industrial digitalization to biomaterials, the two cases illustrated the wide range of fields in which technology entrepreneurship can take place. Dr. Lu also shared his personal transition from a researcher to a business leader, discussing the practical challenges involved in mass production, regulatory approval and physician education.

For Global BBA students, these cases not only showcased different pathways for technological development, but also brought the question of “How does technology become business?” into the concrete realities of running a company.

Breaking Stereotypes | Understanding Chinese Technology Entrepreneurship from Multiple Perspectives

The final roundtable discussion returned to the theme “Beyond Stereotypes — How Can Technology Truly Be Transformed into Business in China?”

Moderated by Mr. Yang XU, the discussion brought together Dr. Jane ZHANG, Adjunct Professor at emlyon business school, Mr. Sheng JIANG, CEO& Co-founder FD Groups China, and Dr. Xiao LU, CEO of Shanghai BIO-LU Biomaterials Co., Ltd.. Bringing together perspectives from different companies and industries, the discussion centered on one key question:

In a complex and dynamic market like China, what does it really take for a technology to become a successful business?

For international students studying in China, this exchange offered a perspective that goes beyond traditional classroom case studies. Direct conversations with business leaders enabled students to explore China’s innovation practices from the perspective of real companies and industries, while encouraging them to think more deeply about the relationships between technology, markets, businesses and entrepreneurs.

Bringing the Classroom into the Real World

For international students coming to Shanghai, understanding China goes far beyond observing a rapidly developing market. Visiting companies, meeting entrepreneurs and discovering the local innovation ecosystem provide opportunities to challenge preconceived ideas about technology, business and entrepreneurship — and may well become one of the most valuable aspects of their Asia Campus experience.

From an initial idea to understanding market needs, observing how technology is applied and thinking about how to create projects that deliver real value — this is at the heart of the practical experience that PCE aims to offer.

More importantly, by encountering real entrepreneurs, businesses and innovation projects at the very beginning of their PCE journey, students are encouraged to move from learning about entrepreneurship to actively engaging with it — exploring their own ideas, asking new questions and taking the first steps toward turning concepts into tangible projects.

Looking ahead, emlyon will continue to work closely with neoBay and other innovation and entrepreneurship partners in China, bringing more authentic, fresh and diverse business experiences into the classroom. Through these long-term collaborations, students will be encouraged to learn through action, explore in real-world environments, and develop a more open perspective on China while building connections between Asia and the wider world.

Let education connect with the real world, let global perspectives meet China’s innovation ecosystem, and let every idea have the opportunity to become action.