Yale School of Management and Sequoia Capital China Jointly Launch Leadership Program for Entrepreneurs in China

BEIJING, Oct. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Sequoia Capital China, a leading VC/PE firm, the Yale School of Management (SOM) and the Yale Center Beijing are pleased to announce the launch of the "Yale SOM - Sequoia Capital China Leadership Program". A ceremony was held today to welcome the Program's inaugural class. As China's first leadership program that is jointed established by a VC/PE firm and a top global business school, the Program aims to develop and groom the next generation of global business leaders. This initiative also exemplifies Sequoia Capital China's fundamental commitment to be the "Entrepreneurs Behind the Entrepreneurs".

The inauguration of the Program was held at the Yale Center Beijing, with Edward Snyder, Dean of the Yale School of Management and Neil Shen, Founding and Managing Partner of Sequoia Capital China as the keynote speakers.

This Program is unique and pioneering in that it will provide participants with global and multidisciplinary insights into the Chinese and Western entrepreneurial experience and business practices.

During the inauguration ceremony for the program, Neil Shen and Luo Zhenyu, founder of Luogic Show, and Mr. Lang Yongchun, the former CCTV anchor and Senior Vice President of Zhaogang.com, shared their perspectives on entrepreneurship and leadership. Drawing on the experiences of Premier League legend Sir Alex Ferguson, they conducted a lively discussion on "whether leadership means control" and "how to manage star players". 

The first module of the program, "the Logic of Business and Finance," will be taught by Professor Zhiwu Chen, Professor of Finance and Economics of the Yale School of Management. This module aims to develop entrepreneurs into strategic thinkers who have a nuanced and deep understanding of the past, present and future, and help them become innovative leaders who can tackle complex problems.

"As we enter our 5^th decade, the Yale School of Management is now ranked among the top global business schools according to the Financial Times' 2016 rankings. There are many synergies in this partnership. The Yale SOM - Sequoia Capital China Leadership Program will draw on Yale's and Sequoia Capital's wealth of resources to groom exemplary, global entrepreneurs," said Edward Snyder, Dean of Yale SOM. "With the backdrop of an increasingly complex global environment, it is now more important than ever to develop a generation of business leaders in China who can adapt to the new dynamics of the market."

Mr. Neil Shen, Founding and Managing Partner of Sequoia Capital China and a Yale alumnus commented, "Sequoia Capital China, as a long-term value-oriented investor, is highly committed to investing in the growth and success of our portfolio companies. In recent years, we are seeing a burgeoning demand among Chinese entrepreneurs to advance their knowledge and leadership skills. Today, we are thrilled to announce the partnership with Yale SOM and sincerely hope that the Program will offer the entrepreneurs the tools, skills and support they need to tackle the complex leadership and management challenges associated with starting and growing a successful business in the dynamic and ever-changing global marketplace. The launch of the Program is also a testament to our longstanding mission and vision since our founding."

"We have long admired Neil Shen's strategic vision and are grateful for his support in funding the Yale Center Beijing, which was launched two years ago. We at Yale University have had a long-standing commitment to cultivate leaders from diverse backgrounds from around the world. The Program serves as an example of how the Center has become an intellectual hub for developing future leaders," said Carol Li Rafferty, managing director of the Yale Center Beijing. "Today's launch is an important step toward providing world-class learning opportunities for entrepreneurs to become successful global leaders."

The Yale SOM - Sequoia Capital China Leadership Program is a one-year leadership development program hosted at the Yale Center Beijing. After completing the program, participants will receive a certificate of completion from the Yale School of Management.

The inaugural class were selected exclusively from the founders, CEOs and top executives of Sequoia Capital China's portfolio companies, with 43 participants from a variety of sectors including TMT, healthcare, consumer/service and new energy/clean tech.

About Yale Center Beijing

The Yale Center Beijing advances Yale University's fundamental dedication to developing leaders from all sectors of society and all regions of the globe. By leveraging Yale's wealth of resources as a global research university and its historically strong ties to China, the Center aims to further constructive dialogue about pressing issues and the forthright exchange of ideas and knowledge among decision makers and thought leaders.

For more information, please visit: http://centerbeijing.yale.edu

About the Yale School of Management

The Yale School of Management (also known as Yale SOM) is the graduate business school of Yale University and is located on Whitney Avenue in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Yale SOM enters its fifth decade in September 2016. The mission of the Yale SOM is to educate leaders for business and society. By engaging with a great university, connecting globally, and advancing a broad-minded model of business education, it positions its people strategically to maximize their academic and professional development.

For more information, please visit: http://som.yale.edu

About Sequoia Capital China

Sequoia Capital was founded in 1972 in Menlo Park, California. In keeping with its motto the "Entrepreneurs Behind the Entrepreneurs," Sequoia China has built an impressive and diverse portfolio over the last eleven years. This group of approximately 300 dynamic companies deliver high returns on investment using differentiated technologies and innovative business models. They include Alibaba, AutoNavi, Alibaba Pictures, BGI, Beta Pharma, Deppon Logistics, Dianping, Didi, DJI, Ganji.com, JD.com, Jumei, Meituan, Meilishuo, Momo, Noah Private, Plateno Hotels Group, Qihoo 360, Ourpalm, Sina.com, Snibe Diagnostic, SINNET, Toutiao, VanceInfo, VIPshop, WEGO, Wealth Management, Wanda Cinemas, Yuwell Medical, and ZTO Express.

For more information, please visit: https://www.sequoiacap.com

CONTACT: Tingyu Liu, +86 10 6563 7918, [email protected]

SOURCE Sequoia Capital China