While many MBA graduates pursue traditional career paths in finance or consulting, a smaller but significant number choose to go down the entrepreneurship route. Those who do often find that an MBA provides a unique set of skills and tools that make their startups more successful than average.
China, with its vibrant startup ecosystem, offers a particularly appealing environment for aspiring entrepreneurs. The country is home to numerous tech-driven startups and innovation hubs, making it the ideal location for international students looking to launch their own ventures or join emerging companies. In Beijing alone, 337 new tech companies on average were established daily in 2023.
1. You’ll have access to a thriving startup ecosystem
China's startup scene is booming, with cities such as Beijing and Shanghai offering good access to resources, investors and talent and there have been numerous unicorns founded by alumni from universities in both cities.
Tsinghua University's location in Beijing, for example, provides students with opportunities to engage with the city's vibrant entrepreneurial community. As Jorge Alvaro Montoya Urbano, founder of real-time AI live captions software company Akkadu.ai, says: “The startup ecosystem is the main reason I chose the MBA program at Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management.” Three out of his company’s four private investors from its first-round investment were found in the Tsinghua University's innovation hub, X-Lab.
2. You’ll get great networking opportunities
Business schools in China offer extensive networking opportunities, connecting students with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and potential partners. Strong alumni networks and partnerships with global companies provide students with valuable connections that can aid in securing funding or partnerships for their ventures. “One of my first private investors was one of my professors!” says Jorge. He says he benefited from participating in startup competitions, as well as use of a co-working space, even after graduation.
Studying in China provides unique insights into the local market and consumer behavior, which can be invaluable for entrepreneurs looking to tap into the vast Chinese market. Schools such as Fudan University School of Management (FDSM) and the School of Management at Zhejiang University offer courses and projects enabling them to develop tailored business strategies. Peruvian entrepreneur Marcelo Vergaray studied at FDSM, which is located in Shanghai, China’s second best startup ecosystem. He says he appreciated the opportunity to “learn how to express myself better to a Chinese audience and analyze the problems from a different perspective,” which, he says, helped him navigate cultural barriers.
3. You’ll be able to innovate
China is at the forefront of technological innovation, with startups in sectors such as AI, robotics and renewable energy.
Ying Wen, founder of Yingming Hydrogen Energy Equipment, credits her MBA at Zhejiang University’s School of Management for opening her eyes to emerging trends in renewable energy, leading her to establish a company focused on sustainable technology. She says: “This knowledge led me to realize the importance of transformation in the traditional manufacturing sector, including the shift toward sustainable energy solutions.” She adds, “the sheer scale of the market in China, with its growing focus on innovation and sustainability, makes it a perfect environment for entrepreneurs to explore new business ideas.”
Wen continues to be based in Hangzhou, where Zhejiang University is located, and which has recently emerged as a tech hub of Chinese innovation thanks to the emergence of so-called ‘little dragon’ startups such as DeepSeek, Unitree and Deep Robotics.
4. You’ll get access to government support and initiatives
The Chinese government actively supports entrepreneurship through initiatives such as Made in China 2025, which encourages an environment conducive to innovation and startup growth. This support can provide entrepreneurs with access to funding, resources, and infrastructure necessary for launching and scaling their businesses. In Shanghai there’s a fund for startups in innovative and key industries worth up to CN ¥5m ($690,000) in guaranteed loans.
5. You’ll be able to access diverse entrepreneurial opportunities
From e-commerce to fintech, China has a wide range of sectors where entrepreneurs can innovate with success.
For instance, Antai College of Economics and Management at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU Antai), provides students with the opportunity to explore various ventures through workshops and networking events at its entrepreneurship center. Bill Zhao, an executive at his family business Tonghui Electronic, which focuses on the R&D, production, and sales of electronic measuring instruments, graduated in 2025. He says: “My SJTU Antai MBA classmates came from various industries. This allowed me to gain insights into the development trends and challenges of different sectors, which was extremely beneficial for applying our testing equipment in new fields and scenarios.”
6. You’ll have global reach
Studying in China allows entrepreneurs to connect with international markets. Many Chinese startups have expanded globally and many alumni from these business schools play key roles in these. Marcelo from FDSM says he chose to study in China because it is “the second—but soon to be the first economy in the world,” offering unparalleled opportunities for networking and market access.
7. You’ll get hands-on learning and practical experience
Chinese business programs place a lot of emphasis on hands-on learning through case studies and internships. This practical experience helps entrepreneurs develop the skills needed to navigate real-world business challenges and launch successful startups. Courses such as Design Thinking at these universities involve presenting pitches to investors, providing essential experience for entrepreneurs.
One further opportunity to pitch and prepare for launching a business is to get involved in the invaluable entrepreneurship competitions. The China MBA Entrepreneurship Competition at SJTU, X-lab entrepreneurship competitions at Tsinghua, the China-ASEAN Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition (CAIEC) and many other prestigious contests can help MBA students take their startup ideas from concept to reality.
Image: Blue Planet Studio/iStock
This article was sponsored by the named schools. Written by: Hazel Davis.