Silicon Valley Business Institute

What Silicon Valley Business Institute does

Silicon Valley Business Institute (SVBI) is a privately held, California-based educational institution headquartered in Milpitas, CA, operating an online Master of Business Administration programme offered bilingually in English and Chinese alongside optional in-person global study trips to Silicon Valley, London, and Shanghai. The institution serves working professionals and mid-career executives globally, with a primary concentration of Chinese-speaking learners, and additionally delivers bespoke corporate executive training programmes held at Stanford University and a UC Berkeley summer research programme for middle and high school students.

The core academic product is a 12-course (36-unit) Online MBA delivered through SVBI's proprietary learning management system, combining asynchronous video lectures with live interactive workshops and cluster-based peer learning communities. The platform is accessible on PC, tablet, and smartphone, and integrates an optional experiential component that includes visits to companies such as Google, Facebook, Airbnb, HP, and Intel, plus lectures at Stanford and other partner institutions. Total MBA tuition ranges from $2,450 under the COVID-era Tuition Relief Scholarship to $10,620 under the pay-by-semester plan, with an accelerated 18–24 month completion timeline and test-optional admissions (no GMAT/GRE required). Faculty comprises 50+ senior professors from Stanford, Harvard, UC Berkeley, MIT, and Columbia, supplemented by practitioner instructors from Google, Facebook, Airbnb, IDEO, and 500 Startups, including Nobel laureate Steven Chu and Lean Startup originator Steve Blank.

SVBI generates revenue across four streams: Online MBA tuition (individual learners, $2,450–$10,620), optional global study trip fees (7-day, 12-day, and customized itineraries), customized corporate executive training programmes (delivered at Stanford with SVBI-issued certificates, sold as multi-week delegations to Chinese government economic commissions and enterprises), and a Berkeley summer research programme for high school students. Go-to-market combines self-serve online enrolment via svbi.org with inside sales through WeChat consultation accounts, plus B2B direct sales targeting Chinese government economic commissions and corporations for executive delegations. The institution holds provisional approval from the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE), which must be converted to full accreditation by April 4, 2024.

Name

Silicon Valley Business Institute

Legal name

Silicon Valley Business Institute

Website

https://svbi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Silicon Valley Business Institute is a Milpitas, CA-based private educational institution that delivers a bilingual (English/Chinese) Online MBA program, Stanford-based corporate executive training for Chinese delegations, and global study trips to working professionals seeking Silicon Valley exposure.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Business Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online Professional Schools (MBA/MPA/MPH/Etc.) (EDAHALAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Professional & Executive Short Courses (Non-Degree, International) (EDAIAIAH)

Keywords

• Online MBA programs
• Executive education
• Corporate training programs
• Silicon Valley study trips
• Global business tours

Headquarters

HQ city

Milpitas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Online MBA Tuition: The primary revenue stream is tuition from the Online MBA program. Students pay course assessment fees, enrollment fees, and technology fees. The program offers multiple payment plans: pay-by-semester (6 semesters), one-time payment (full program), or the Tuition Relief Scholarship plan. Total program cost ranges from $2,450 to $8,570 depending on the payment plan selected.
2. Global Study Trips: Optional paid study trip programs including 7-day, 12-day, and customized study trips. Participants pay for the trip to visit companies and attend conferences. These trips are optional and not included in the MBA program tuition.
3. Corporate Executive Training Programs: Bespoke executive training programs for Chinese corporations, government bodies, and investment groups. Programs are delivered at Stanford University facilities with SVBI-issued certificates. Customized curriculum based on client needs in leadership, innovation, transformation, and investment sectors.
4. Berkeley Summer Research Program for High School Students: Tuition-fee-bearing programs for global middle and high school students, involving remote research mentorship and on-site research internships at UC Berkeley labs. Three program tiers available: day program, residential program, and intensive program with additional remote coaching.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Silicon Valley Business Institute delivers a US-accredited (BPPE provisional) Online MBA program in English and Chinese, designed for working professionals and completable in 18-24 months. The core curriculum is reinforced by optional paid global study trips to top technology companies (Google, Facebook, Airbnb, HP, Intel), customized Stanford-based corporate executive training delegations for Chinese enterprises and government bodies, and a UC Berkeley summer research mentorship program for middle and high school students. Tuition is structured across multiple payment plans ranging from $2,450 to $8,570.

Product overview

Silicon Valley Business Institute (SVBI) is an online business education institution offering primarily online MBA programs (in English and Chinese) with optional global study trip add-ons. The core product is the Online MBA, a 12-course accelerated degree program completed in 18-24 months, featuring Silicon Valley-focused curriculum and faculty from top universities and major tech companies. Add-on modules include global study trips (7-day, 12-day, and customized options) to destinations like Silicon Valley, providing hands-on company visits and networking. The institution also offers corporate training programs including Stanford executive education and Berkeley summer programs for younger students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Online MBA (English)

Quantifiable outcome

• 1385+ companies visited across all programs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and supporting.

• Cardinal Pitch Club (CPC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 August 2016SVBI served as the exclusive business school partner for the 2016 US-China Investment Summit (中美投资峰会) co-organized with Cardinal Pitch Club and Stanford's Financial and Risk Modeling program. The 5-day summit (August 24-28, 2016) at Santa Clara Convention Center covered cross-border investment, innovation, and venture capital topics with SVBI providing the academic and networking components.
• Stanford UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSVBI collaborates with Stanford University's professors who serve as faculty for SVBI programs. Faculty members including Thomas Kosnik, Tom Byers, Robert Burgelman, Barry Katz, Michael Barry, and Robert Sutton teach at SVBI's executive programs and online MBA. SVBI conducts Stanford executive training courses at Stanford University campus as part of its programs.
• UC Berkeley (University of California, Berkeley)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSVBI partners with UC Berkeley's College of Chemistry (globally ranked #1) for high school student research programs and executive training. The Berkeley College of Chemistry serves as the hosting institution for SVBI's summer research internships, with Berkeley professors serving as mentors. SVBI also uses UC Berkeley facilities for some executive training programs.
• Harvard UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeveral SVBI faculty members hold appointments at both Stanford and Harvard, including Michael Barry (Harvard Business School and Stanford) and Robert Burgelman (Harvard and Stanford). These cross-appointments enable curriculum development and knowledge sharing across both institutions.
• GooglecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoogle is a key company visited during SVBI's global study trips and executive programs. Google executives participate as guest speakers and hosts for program participants. The company's campus serves as a learning destination where SVBI students gain insights into Google's innovation culture, technology strategy, and organizational management.
• Facebook (Meta)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFacebook is included in SVBI's global study trip itinerary and executive training programs. SVBI students visit Facebook's campus to learn about the company's technology, culture, and business model as part of their Silicon Valley immersion experience.
• AirbnbsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAirbnb is featured in SVBI's company visit program as part of the Silicon Valley immersion curriculum. Students and executive delegates tour Airbnb's facilities and engage with company representatives to learn about the company's innovation strategy and culture.
• Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE)coreOthersSVBI holds provisional approval from the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) to offer degree programs including the Online MBA. BPPE approval is a regulatory requirement for operating postsecondary education institutions in California and is a fundamental prerequisite for SVBI's legitimacy as a degree-granting institution.
• MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMIT is mentioned as one of the top universities (along with Stanford, Berkeley, and Harvard) that SVBI cooperates with for its training programs. MIT-affiliated faculty and facilities are incorporated into SVBI's executive education curriculum.
• Columbia UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerColumbia University is listed among the top US universities (with Stanford, Berkeley, Harvard, and MIT) that SVBI cooperates with for executive training programs. Columbia faculty participate in SVBI's international business training and summit events.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hult International Business School: Global business school with a one-year online MBA option and campuses in Boston, San Francisco, London, and Dubai. Targets mid-career international professionals similarly to SVBI and competes in the bilingual, globally delivered MBA category.
• Quantic School of Business: Fully online, accredited MBA and executive programs aimed at working professionals globally, with active mobile-first delivery and a tuition model that competes head-to-head with SVBI's Online MBA on accessibility and price.

Broad incumbents

• IE Business School: Spain-based international business school with a well-known Online MBA, bilingual delivery, and a strong footprint in Latin America and Europe. Overlaps with SVBI on globally distributed, non-residential executive learners but competes from a much larger brand.
• Imperial College Business School: UK-based business school offering an online Global MBA aimed at professionals worldwide. Comparable to SVBI in targeting internationally mobile mid-career learners, but with significantly stronger accredited brand equity.
• MIT Sloan Executive Education: Executive education arm of MIT Sloan offering short courses and custom corporate programs at MIT facilities, including for international cohorts. Directly comparable to SVBI's Stanford-based executive training line but at much higher price points and brand prestige.
• Stanford Graduate School of Business Executive Education: Operates the Stanford executive programs that SVBI leverages for its corporate training. The owner of the underlying brand and venue; competes with SVBI for the same corporate delegations but at premium pricing and with full degree-granting authority.
• UC Berkeley Haas Executive Education: Berkeley's executive education arm, the same institution SVBI partners with for its high-school summer research program. Comparable to SVBI's executive training line on Bay Area brand and corporate access, with the backing of a fully accredited institution.

Regional players

• China Europe International Business School (CEIBS): Leading China-based business school with MBA, EMBA, and executive programs widely used by Chinese SOE executives and government officials. Comparable to SVBI on the Chinese corporate/government training side, but operates as a top-tier regionally dominant brand rather than a US-anchored online provider.
• Draper University: San Mateo-based entrepreneurship training program with Silicon Valley immersion for international students, including Chinese delegations. Closest peer to SVBI's study-trip and executive-tour offerings targeting Chinese executives and investors, though narrower on traditional MBA content.
• Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB): China-headquartered business school focused on Chinese entrepreneurs, executives, and government officials, with US study-tour components. Directly comparable to SVBI's executive training delegations from Wuhan, Tus-Holdings, and similar Chinese SOEs and investment groups.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/silicon-valley-business-institute

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Silicon Valley Business Institute