From 14 to 25 March, 2016, Peter Thiel, U.S. venture capitalist, entrepreneur and author of “Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future”, delivered the course “Startup Thinking” in a series of 6 lectures at Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management (Tsinghua SEM). The course was open to undergraduate and graduate students, who participated in the lectures and tutorial discussions over two weeks. Built upon the book “Zero to One” and adding examples from the Chinese market, Peter Thiel shared his new observations and insights on startups and investing. The course drew a huge crowd of Tsinghua’s students and faculty members, with only standing room available in the classroom.
In his opening remarks at the commencement of the course on March 14, 2016, Dean QIAN Yingyi expressed that Tsinghua SEM was truly privileged to have Thiel deliver the course on “Startup Thinking” as this would be his first course outside the U.S. It was followed by an appointment ceremony where Thiel was presented a certificate of appointment as Distinguished Guest Professor of Management Practice of Tsinghua SEM by Dean QIAN. JIA Ning, Associate Professor of Accounting, Director of Centre for Globalization of Chinese Enterprises, was the faculty coordinator for the course.
Tsinghua SEM Dean QIAN Yingyi presenting a certificate of appointment to Peter Thiel, U.S. venture capitalist, entrepreneur and author of “Zero to One”, as Distinguished Guest Professor of Management Practice of Tsinghua SEM
JIA Ning, Associate Professor of Accounting, Director of Centre for Globalization of Chinese Enterprises, hosting the lectures
Theil’s Tsinghua course was composed of six themes: Zero to One, How Monopoly Works, Anti-Management, The Tyranny of Chance, How to Invest, and Futures. He shared his views and insights on successful companies, investment methodology and perspectives on the future of technology and human society development.
Peter Thiel, U.S. venture capitalist, entrepreneur and author of “Zero to One”, delivering a course on “Startup Thinking” at Tsinghua SEM
Peter Thiel, U.S. venture capitalist, entrepreneur and author of “Zero to One”, delivering a course on “Startup Thinking” at Tsinghua SEM
On March 25, after the final lecture of the course, Peter Thiel had a one-hour dialogue with Professor QIAN Yingyi, Dean of Tsinghua SEM. Open to Tsinghua students and alumni, the dialogue spanned wide-ranging topics. Thiel summarized the similarities and differences between his Stanford and Tsinghua courses, stressed the importance of Contrarian Thinking, and shared his new observation on startups and investing as well as his perspectives on the future of technology and innovation. At the end of the dialogue, Dean QIAN invited Thiel to provide some suggestions to the students who want to be entrepreneurs or just want to be innovative. Thiel advised students to start asking the right questions and create an environment where people can explore different questions. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining relationships by sharing his experience of building PayPal whose founders became PayPal Mafia later. Finally, he encouraged students to always think “it’s just getting started” and find the “great way to build a great life and continue to learn for years or decades”.
Tsinghua SEM Dean QIAN Yingyi in dialogue with Peter Thiel, U.S. Venture Capitalist, Entrepreneur and Author of “Zero to One”
As the class came to an end, Dean QIAN presented Thiel with a special gift, an album with photos and hand-writing messages from the Tsinghua students who attended his course.
Dean QIAN Yingyi presenting the special gift to Peter Thiel
Peter Thiel with Tsinghua SEM students
Peter Thiel signing books for Tsinghua SEM students
Group photo of Peter Thiel and TAs
The course “Startup Thinking” was jointly organized by Tsinghua x-lab and Centre for Globalization of Chinese Enterprises.
Tsinghua x-lab
Launched in April 2013, Tsinghua x-lab is a university based innovation platform promoting creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship. Tsinghua x-lab pioneered interdisciplinary education and practices, experiential learning covering new grounds, and team collaboration. Tsinghua x-lab is jointly established by 14 schools and departments, and it is a non-profit platform, serving students, Tsinghua alumni and faculty members in all stages of project development and across all disciplines. For now, x-lab has reached out to over 15,000 people at Tsinghua and outside it attending seminars, competitions, workshops, salons, and other educational and practical events. Tsinghua x-lab currently supports over 800 projects in different stages.
Tsinghua SEM Center for Globalization of Chinese Enterprises
Tsinghua SEM Center for Globalization of Chinese Enterprises was co-founded by Tsinghua SEM and BNP Paribas in July 2015. The Center aims to become a thought leader on financial and economic globalization, with an emphasis on generating innovative globalization strategies and practices in financial services, and promoting the globalization of Chinese enterprises and the collaboration with global partners through research, education and service to the community.
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