The Economics and Management School of Wuhan University EMBA/MBA 2025 U.S. Study Tour successfully concluded on August 12th. During the two-week program, 13 faculty and students gained knowledge in classrooms at Stanford University and Babson College, engaged with future business trends through visits to tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, and Intel, and exchanged ideas with alumnus Huang Chunhua at his company, Pasaca Financial Inc., experiencing firsthand the intersection of cutting-edge theory and enterprise practice.

1. Stanford University Classes: Frontier Thinking in Innovation and AI
On August 5th, the study program officially commenced at Stanford University. At the Beckman Center, Professor Chuck Easley delivered an engaging and insightful lecture on the evolution of Silicon Valley's innovation ecosystem, guiding students through a century of development from Federal Telegraph to today's tech giants. He emphasized that Silicon Valley's success stems from the continuous interaction among four key elements—universities, capital, industry, and talent—coupled with a culture that "embraces failure and iterates quickly."

Professor Xia Chun, a longtime Stanford researcher, taught a compelling venture investment class. Drawing from his extensive practical experience, he broke down the three essential factors for identifying unicorn startups: timing (market), location (product and technology), and teamwork (people). Using his investment in ZOOM as a case study, he shared his decision-making process and considerations as an angel investor.

2. Silicon Valley Tech Company Visits: Dialogues with Giants and Startups
Outside the classroom, students visited leading tech companies to experience innovation up close.

Tours of Intel, Apple, Microsoft, Empo Health, and Adaptive AI provided deep insights into how tech giants leverage user-centric product thinking and systematic strategic planning. Students observed that embracing new AI tools requires not only technological adoption but also the determination to solve real-world problems.

These visits highlighted how established companies build barriers through scale and systematic capabilities, while startups find breakthroughs through agility and courage. Together, they form Silicon Valley's unique innovation ecosystem.

3. Meeting with Distinguished Alumnus Huang Chunhua: Global Vision and Social Responsibility
The study tour included a visit to the Los Angeles headquarters of Pasaca Financial Inc., founded by Wuhan University alumnus Huang Chunhua. Mr. Huang shared his insights on the five key elements of business success and discussed his investments in emergency disaster prevention, risk management, next-gen information infrastructure, and fintech. He emphasized that "business is not just a profit machine but a force for social progress," demonstrating his forward-thinking market strategies and strong sense of social responsibility.

4. Babson College Courses: Strategic and Leadership Insights
Professor Jay Rao of Babson College used a "gorillas, chimpanzees, and monkeys" model to vividly illustrate market competition dynamics. Through case studies like Gillette and Dollar Shave Club, he revealed how large corporations respond to disruptors. He also highlighted how mid-sized companies, like Plansee Group, excel in niche markets through R&D and collaboration.

In the "CEOs Leading Change" session, he emphasized the CEO's role in digital transformation as both a strategist and a culture shaper, using examples from The Washington Post and Domino's Pizza. He stressed that technology, data, and culture are the core drivers of sustainable innovation. Interactive activities like the marshmallow challenge, case analyses, and group discussions underscored that while starting a business is easy, scaling it is hard, and execution is as critical as strategy.

This study tour was meticulously organized by the Wuhan University School of Economics and Management Graduate Office and U.S.-based InnoED Education Group. It aimed to cultivate EMBA and MBA students' global perspectives, entrepreneurial spirit, and understanding of frontier technologies and innovation. By embedding "classroom knowledge" into the "real world" and transforming "international vision" into "actionable methodologies," this experience has equipped participants to drive their enterprises forward in the new business era.