Envision Capital founder Kevin Wang Gang has an MBA from Massey University.
Kevin Wang Gang says his New Zealand education helped him to become one of China’s most successful venture capitalists.
“Studying entrepreneurship in New Zealand built my business mind,” he says. “It shaped my way of thinking and gave me a very important skill set that I still use in my work today.”
Mr Wang is founder and manager of Envision Capital in Shanghai and was on Forbes China’s list of best venture capitalists for ten consecutive years. He originally trained as an engineer but later decided he wanted to enter the business world – and eventually start his own business.
So, he moved to New Zealand, spent a year perfecting his English and then began studying for a Master of Business Administration at Massey University, focusing on entrepreneurship.
He says his studies taught him to think critically, come up with his own ideas and apply them to real-world situations.
“We were taught knowledge, but more importantly we were taught how to apply that knowledge in a systematic and practical way,” he says. “Learning to think critically meant I knew what to do when I was in new situations. I knew the right questions to ask, which helped me decide which steps to take.
“If you have the right mind, right action and right execution, you can get things done and become very successful. That’s why I often recommend to people that they study in New Zealand. I don’t know anywhere else where they could learn that way of thinking.”
Experiencing cultural differences in a positive way
While the MBA programme at Massey University was high pressure, Mr Wang and his classmates were given lots of support.
“The professors and lecturers were very good quality, and the class was very interactive. We were able to learn from our professors, from our own research and from each other,” he says.
“Working with the class taught me how to deal with people from different countries and cultures. That is very useful in business because it teaches you how to resolve disagreements and build relationships.”
Mr Wang also found the MBA programme was a good bridge to the business world. After graduation, he gained extensive experience in equity investment and business and financial management, before founding Envision Capital in 2009. He is responsible for the fund’s strategic, investment and operational management, focusing on quality investment in IT and environmental protection technology.
He still keeps in touch with his Massey classmates, many of whom went on to start their own businesses or gain senior roles in existing corporates or government. Looking back, Mr Wang says studying in New Zealand was a great start to his business career.
“The quality of education in New Zealand is excellent. I would absolutely recommend it to other international students who want to succeed in business,” he says.
Mr Wang says he still misses living in New Zealand. “I’ve travelled around the world, but I still think New Zealand is one of the best places to live. I love the ocean, the greenery, the friendly people, the clean air and the nice food,” he says. “I was born in China, but I consider myself a New Zealander as well.”