Innovation in China

Inspire to Impact. The innovation and entrepreneurship centre of the CEIBS MBA programme.

Upgraded in 2025 and operating across two campuses in Shanghai and Shenzhen, InnoLab combines structured methodology, cross-disciplinary community, industry partnerships, and hands-on practice — designed to build the innovation capacity every manager needs in an AI-era economy.

2025
Year upgraded
6,000+
MBA students & alumni served
2
Campuses — Shanghai & Shenzhen
17+
Years of INNOVATEChina
What is InnoLab

An innovation ecosystem at the intersection of business education, methodology, and China market depth.

CEIBS MBA InnoLab is the innovation and entrepreneurship centre of the CEIBS MBA programme, serving all full-time and part-time MBA students and alumni. It draws on the CEIBS community of 34,000+ alumni across industries and geographies to connect learners with practitioners, and practitioners with opportunities.

Every CEIBS MBA student has access to InnoLab — not only those with a startup idea. Some participants use InnoLab to sharpen their innovation thinking and lead change inside established organisations. Others use it to develop independent ventures. Both paths are equally supported.

Vision

Build an open, international innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Mission

Empower CEIBS MBA students and alumni to lead innovation and entrepreneurship across industries.

One Platform · Three Paths

You do not need a startup idea to belong at InnoLab.

The centre is built around three innovation paths — each with its own resources, programming, and community.

PATH 01

Innovator

You want to sharpen your ability to identify opportunities, frame problems, and lead creative solutions — regardless of where your career takes you.
Core Programming
  • Inno Talk
  • Inno Workshop
  • AI Learning Workshop
  • INNOVATEChina
PATH 02

Entrepreneur in House

You are developing an independent venture and need structured support to validate, build, and launch.
Core Programming
  • Full access to Innovator programming
  • Inno Mentoring (early stage)
  • Inno Friday
  • Business Plan training
PATH 03

Entrepreneur in Acceleration

You have developed an independent venture and need deeper support to scale.
Core Programming
  • Entrepreneur Track — BP training
  • Presentation Skill Workshop
  • Inno Mentoring (growth stage)
  • Annual Demo Day
  • Inno Friday
Innovation Events & Programming

A year-round calendar, structured to serve every stage of the journey.

Cadence Programme Description
Annual INNOVATEChina Business Competition Approximately 60 teams from top schools worldwide compete on a real corporate innovation challenge. Now in its 17th year.
Annual InnoLab Demo Day Student and alumni ventures present to investors, industry leaders, and the wider CEIBS community.
Monthly Inno Talk · Inno Workshop Expert sharing sessions and hands-on workshops covering product design, AI applications, membership models, and brand strategy.
Monthly Inno Friday Casual, candid discussion with practising entrepreneurs.
Customised Bespoke Innovation Programmes Tailored workshops and bootcamps for members or corporate partners. Contact InnoLab@ceibs.edu to discuss.
INNOVATEChina

The flagship global competition — now in its 17th year.

INNOVATEChina is CEIBS InnoLab's annual flagship innovation competition, first launched in 2008. Each edition brings together approximately 60 teams from leading business schools worldwide to tackle a real, live challenge set by a corporate partner.

Past corporate partners have included multinational companies and Chinese industry leaders across sectors including mobility, consumer goods, and technology. Recent editions have addressed themes such as sustainable business model design.

The competition is open to participants across all paths. You do not need a startup to compete — INNOVATEChina rewards the ability to frame problems, generate solutions, and present a compelling case to a real business audience.

Established
2008
Annual Participants
~60 teams from top global business schools
Format
Real corporate brief · Team pitch · Expert jury
Contact
innovatechina@ceibs.edu
InnoLab Committee

Embedded within the academic fabric of the CEIBS MBA programme.

Innovation and entrepreneurship are not electives at CEIBS — they are a core part of the curriculum. The InnoLab Committee comprises faculty and core mentors who oversee strategic direction, set business priorities, and guide annual events.

Professor Lingling ZHANG
Associate Professor of Marketing, CEIBS · Associate Dean (MBA) · Director of MBA Programme
Michelle ZHU
Administrative Director, CEIBS MBA Programme Office
Henry KO
Honorary Chairman, Flexport · President, Hong Kong E-Commerce Logistics Association · Adjunct Professor, City University of Hong Kong · Course Director, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen · Advisory Board Member, Tsinghua University Post-graduate Programme
Yong LEI
CEIBS DBA · Founder & CEO, Haoshiqi
Jie ZHANG
CEIBS EMBA · Medical and Healthcare Angel Investor · Mentor, 895 Healthcare Incubator · Dean, Baishan Health Industry School, Sanda University
Frequently Asked Questions

InnoLab, answered.

What is CEIBS MBA InnoLab?
CEIBS MBA InnoLab is the innovation and entrepreneurship centre of the CEIBS MBA programme. Upgraded in 2025, it operates across two campuses — Shanghai and Shenzhen — and serves all full-time and part-time CEIBS MBA students and alumni.
Do I need a startup idea to join InnoLab?
No. InnoLab is open to every CEIBS MBA student and alumnus. The centre supports two parallel paths: innovators who want to sharpen their thinking and lead change inside established organisations, and entrepreneurs developing independent ventures.
What is INNOVATEChina?
INNOVATEChina is CEIBS InnoLab's annual flagship innovation competition, first launched in 2008 and now in its 17th year. Each edition brings together approximately 60 teams from leading business schools worldwide to tackle a real challenge set by a corporate partner.
Is InnoLab membership competitive?
No. InnoLab membership is open, not competitive. CEIBS MBA students and alumni can register as members at any point during or after their programme.
Where is CEIBS MBA InnoLab located?
InnoLab operates across two CEIBS campuses: 699 Hongfeng Road, Pudong, Shanghai 201206, and 142 Zimao Street, Qianhai Cooperation Zone, Shenzhen 518066.
How can corporate partners work with InnoLab?
Companies can co-design innovation challenges as project briefs for student teams, sponsor INNOVATEChina, host workshops, or build recruiting pipelines through project-based collaboration. Contact InnoLab@ceibs.edu to discuss.
Get Involved

Whether you want to test an idea, lead a corporate innovation project, or simply become a more creative problem-solver — InnoLab is where you start.

MBA Students & Alumni

  • Join as an InnoLab member — open to all enrolled CEIBS MBA students and alumni at any stage
  • Register for workshops, competitions, and office hours through the InnoLab member portal
Become a Member →

Industry Mentors & Advisors

  • Register as a volunteer mentor to contribute expertise to workshops, office hours, and competitions
  • Opportunities to serve as competition juror for INNOVATEChina and Demo Day
Contact InnoLab →

Community & Strategic Partners

  • Co-design innovation challenges as real project briefs for student teams
  • Access CEIBS MBA talent through project-based collaboration
  • Discuss custom programmes, sponsored competitions, and recruiting pipelines
Partner With Us →