HEC Paris Launches the Wisdom Frontiers Entrepreneur Program in Beijing

Held over three days, the opening module brought together internationally renowned academics, senior HEC Paris leadership, global business executives and leading Chinese entrepreneurs for a series of keynote speeches, academic sessions and networking events. The program provides a platform for participants to explore some of today’s most pressing business challenges, including global energy transition, international business expansion, corporate governance, institutional economics, family business succession and artificial intelligence.

Bringing together world-class expertise

The opening ceremony welcomed several distinguished speakers from academia and industry.

Andrea Masini, Associate Dean of HEC Paris opened the program with a keynote on the global energy transition. Drawing on International Energy Agency data and global industry trends, he explored how Chinese companies can leverage their strengths in new energy technologies to accelerate international expansion.

Elisabeth Moreno, former French Minister, international executive shared her insights on leading organizational and international transformation. Her session focused on helping Chinese companies navigate globalization, cross-cultural management and sustainable international growth.

Barbara Stöttinger, Associate Dean of Executive Education at HEC Paris, welcomed participants to the program and highlighted its distinctive pedagogical approach. Designed specifically for experienced entrepreneurs, the program combines world-class faculty, tailored learning experiences and close interaction with international business leaders, while continuously adapting its content to participants’ evolving business challenges.

As Academic Director of the HEC Paris WFEP, Diego Caspari presented the program’s learning philosophy, highlighting that it has been specifically designed to address the real-world challenges faced by today’s entrepreneurs, including international expansion, brand building, corporate governance and leadership. He emphasized HEC Paris’ Executive Education approach, which combines cutting-edge academic research, practical insights from global business leaders and peer-to-peer learning, creating an integrated learning journey tailored to the needs of the cohort.

The event also featured James A. Robinson, recipient of the 2024 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences and Professor at the University of Chicago. Professor Robinson delivered a keynote on institutional economics, examining how inclusive institutions contribute to long-term economic prosperity, sustainable business development and successful international expansion. Following his session, he met participants for an extended discussion and book signing of Why Nations Fail.

Learning from peers and global leaders

The program also emphasized peer learning and international dialogue.

Representing the class, Ye Fei, Chairman and CEO of Michelin China, and Li Ren, Chairman and CEO of Hangzhou Zhongyi shared their entrepreneurial journeys and reflected on the challenges of international expansion, global supply chain management and building trusted global brands.

In addition, Jean-Paul Agon, Chairman of the Board of HEC Paris and Chairman of L’Oréal, joined the ceremony online. He congratulated participants on joining the program and shared his perspectives on leadership, global brand building and long-term value creation. During an interactive discussion, he answered participants’ questions on international business development and invited the participants to visit L’Oréal’s global headquarters in Paris during their Paris module in September.

Supporting the next generation of global entrepreneurs

The HEC Paris WFEP has been designed to accompany Chinese entrepreneurs as they navigate increasingly complex global business environments.

Rather than offering standardized executive education, it combines cutting-edge academic research with practical business experience, while continuously adapting its content to participants’ strategic priorities. Through close interaction with HEC Paris faculty, international executives and an exceptional entrepreneurial cohort, participants gain access to global perspectives, cross-border networks and practical insights that support sustainable long-term growth.

More broadly, the program reflects HEC Paris’ commitment to strengthening academic and business exchanges between world and China, while contributing to the development of responsible entrepreneurial leadership capable of creating lasting economic and societal impact.