News & Highlights

  • January 2025
  • EVENT

8th Annual HBS Women’s Leadership Forum: “Leading with Strength Through Uncertainty”

On June 22nd, Harvard Center Shanghai and HBS Club of Shanghai - supported by HBS Race, Gender & Equity Initiative- successfully hosted the 8th Annual HBS Women’s Leadership Forum. Centered on the theme “Leading with Strength Through Uncertainty,” the forum convened prominent female leaders and over 100 alumni and guests for a dynamic discussion. The forum explored how women leaders are navigating a world defined by constant disruption and the rise of AI—not by resisting change, but by grounding their leadership in enduring values such as trust, responsibility, and intentionality, while also seizing opportunities aligned with long-term trends and driven by their passions and strengths.
  • MAY 2025
  • ALUMNI EVENT

Dinner Discussion with Kosmo Kalliarekos: Private Equity in Asia

On May 28, 2025, the HBS Club of Shanghai invited Kosmo Kalliarekos (MBA Class of 1991 and HBS Asia-Pacific Advisory Board member) to share his insights about two decades of Private Equity in Asia. Mr. Kalliarekos is the Chairman of North Asia and Partner in the EQT Private Capital Asia. During the insightful dinner discussion, Mr. Kalliarekos traced the origins and evolution of private equity in the US, explored the unique opportunities for PE firms across Asia, and discussed the critical importance of global managerial and operational talents for successful investment execution. In addition, the participants also discussed actionable ways the broader HBS community should contribute value and navigate challenges amid the current turbulent global landscape. The evening was marked by engaging personal anecdotes and deep insights drawn from diverse industry perspectives and backgrounds.
  • MAY 2025
  • EVENT

Democratizing Wall Street: An Evening with Professor Joseph Pacelli

In May 2025, Professor Joseph Pacelli delivered talks in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Singapore under the theme “Democratizing Wall Street”. The talks were organized by the HBS Club of Shanghai, the HBS Association of Hong Kong, and the HBS Club of Singapore, respectively. During the talk, he explained the sources of misinformation that investors faced in capital markets, discussed the origins of conflicts of interest, and analyzed the efficacy of new intermediaries, such as social media and technology (e.g., Robo-Analysts), in leveling the playing field between retail investors and institutional investors. In addition, he also explored the implications of misinformation for managers and discussed ways in which managers could play a more proactive role in improving their information environment with participants.
  • March 2025
  • EVENT

2025 New Venture Competition Asia-Pacific Regional Final

On March 9, at the 2025 New Venture Competition Alumni Track Asia-Pacific Regional Final, eight teams from China, Australia, Indonesia, and India presented their innovative business ideas. Noolie, which focuses on empowering children throughout Southeast Asia with nutrient-rich treats, received the Best Investment Award and will represent APAC at the Global Finale. Turmerik and VoxPop AI were honored with the Best Innovation and Best Social Impact Awards, respectively.
  • February 2025
  • ALUMNI EVENT

HBSAHK Signature Conference 2025

On February 22, 2025, the HBS Alumni Club of Hong Kong (HBSAHK) celebrated its 45th anniversary with the 9th Signature Conference at Cloud 39, The Henderson. Centered on “Leadership in an Era of Change”, the event featured keynote speaker Eddie Yue (MBA 1998), Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, alongside panels on AI, global supply chains, and education. Speakers included HBS alumni such as Dr. Victor Fung (PHD 1971), Dr. John Quelch (DBA 1977), Mr. Sebastian Man (MBA 1985), Mr. Joe Ngai (MBA 2000), and Ms. Jolie Chow (MBA 2010). With 300+ attendees, including HBS alumni and business leaders, the conference sparked engaging discussions and even “cold calls” from the audience. A dynamic exchange of ideas left participants inspired to lead with resilience in a rapidly evolving world.

New Research on the Region

  • August 2025
  • Teaching Material

Social Enterprise in South Asia

By: Brian L. Trelstad and Malini Sen

The research note presents an overview of the evolving social enterprise ecosystem across South Asia, encompassing eight countries: India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and the Maldives. It explores the rise of social entrepreneurship and analyzes current market dynamics through real-world examples of enterprises fostering social innovation and inclusive growth. The note emphasizes the pivotal role social enterprises play in addressing inequality and market inefficiencies. It also examines the influence of philanthropy and impact investment in shaping the sector, while highlighting regulatory gaps that hinder further progress.

  • August 2025
  • Case

Bobobox: Pods or Cabins?

By: Das Narayandas and Billy Chan

Following the success of their tech-enabled capsule hotel business in Indonesia, Bobobox founders Indra Gunawan and Antonius Bong seized the opportunity created by a dramatic shift in travel preferences during the COVID-19 pandemic. They developed a second accommodation product: vacation cabins. The rapid traction of the cabins put them at a crossroads. With limited resources as a startup, should they focus on the standardized, more scalable sleeping pod business—or the upscale, high-margin cabin business?

  • July 2025
  • Case

Insilico’s Rentosertib Dilemma: A Star in the Pipeline?

By: Michael Lingzhi Li, Brian Mao Fu and Billy Chan

In 2024, the AI biotech firm Insilico Medicine faced a pivotal decision about its new drug, Rentosertib. Discovered and designed using artificial intelligence to treat a lung disease, Rentosertib had successfully advanced to Phase II trials — a first in global pharmaceutical history. Insilico could license the drug, consistent with its low-risk, revenue-generating model, or continue internal development to validate its full-stack AI capabilities. The decision would shape not only the future of Rentosertib, but also how Insilico balanced risk and ambition in deploying its AI tools—defining its identity as either a bold full-stack clinical innovator or a disciplined pioneer in early-stage discovery.

See more research

Shanghai Staff

Nancy Dai
Managing Director and Executive Director, Harvard Center Shanghai; Executive Director, Asia-Pacific Research Center
Brian Fu
Researcher
Crystal Gu
Program Coordinator
Shu Lin
Senior Researcher
Cindy Liu
Senior Program Coordinator
Tracy Qin
Manager for Administration

Singapore Staff

Adina Wong
Assistant Director, Research
Harold Zhu
Researcher

Hong Kong Staff

Billy Chan
Senior Researcher
Kitty Chow
Executive Secretary
Connie Yeung
Assistant Director, Administration