Today, while researching the prospects of the global energy transition at McKinsey’s Houston office, CEIBS MBA 2021 alum Tony Li sometimes recalls the autumn of 2019, when he had just returned to Shanghai from New Zealand. Back then, he was standing at the crossroads of transitioning from a consultant in the forestry industry into a business decision maker. The CEIBS MBA was the lighthouse that helped him find his way forward.

Why did ACROBiosystems pursue a global-first strategy from the outset? What has driven its international success? And what lessons can it offer to other Chinese companies eyeing overseas expansion? In this article, CEIBS alumnus Mike Chen Yiding (Global EMBA 2021) – founder, chairman, and CEO of ACROBiosystems – reflects on his journey from ground zero to global reach, sharing insights for fellow pioneers looking to take Chinese innovation to the world.