ICPN - Italian Chinese Professional Network

What ICPN - Italian Chinese Professional Network does

ICPN (Italian Chinese Professional Network) is a non-profit association founded in March 2018 in Milan, Italy by Matteo Hu (President) and Simone Hong (Vice-President). The organization aims to build a community bridging Italy and China, connecting students, young professionals, and companies through networking events, mentorship, job placement, and educational programs. Its typical programming includes AperiNetwork (summer and winter editions), the Winter Gala, Career Day, Impact She (women empowerment), Breaking Boundaries, and the recurring Mentorship Program. ICPN reports more than 3,000 community members across WeChat, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook, with a 2023 footprint of 10 events, 712 participants, and 22 corporate sponsors.

ICPN's core products and services are community-driven rather than technology-driven. The organization operates event-based networking (AperiNetwork, Winter Gala, themed gatherings), a free annual Mentorship Program linking students with experienced professionals, a Job Posting Portal where corporate partners (Huawei, OPPO, Xiaomi, Gucci Japan, Hogan Lovells, Value China) advertise roles, the OPPO Grow Up Program (paid internships with over 90% conversion to contract), and the High School Hub for younger students. There is no proprietary technology platform; engagement runs on social media, a website portal, and event management tools. The network's competitive positioning rests on cultural specificity — addressing dropout rates among Italo-Chinese students (up to 50% in some schools) and the scarcity of bilingual professional talent in Italy-China corridors.

The business model is non-profit community funding: membership contributions, event participation fees, and corporate sponsorships. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and the mentorship program is offered free of charge. Geographically, ICPN has expanded from Milan to Torino, Roma, Firenze, and Prato within Italy, and internationally to London, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Corporate partners include Chinese technology multinationals, Italian and international luxury/consumer brands, and law firms, reflecting a dual-sided value proposition: talent access for employers and career opportunities for the Italo-Chinese professional community.

Name

ICPN - Italian Chinese Professional Network

Legal name

Italian Chinese Professional Network (ICPN)

Website

https://icpn.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ICPN is a Milan-based non-profit founded in 2018 that connects Italian-Chinese students, young professionals, and companies through networking events, mentorship programs, job placement, and educational initiatives across Italy, the UK, Hong Kong, and China.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Networking Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Outbound Exchange Advising, Placement & Nomination Services (EDAIABAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Internship/Apprenticeship Matching & Work-Based Learning Platforms (EDAFAMAL), Virtual Recruitment Events, Fairs & Webinar Platforms (EDAIACAF)

Keywords

• Professional networking
• Community building
• Mentorship programs
• Career development
• Cultural exchange

Headquarters

HQ city

Milan

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership and community services: As a non-profit organization, ICPN generates revenue through membership contributions, event participation fees, and partnerships with companies for job posting and recruitment services. The organization also receives sponsorship support from corporate partners.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ICPN is a non-profit organization that connects students, professionals, and enterprises in the Italian-Chinese community through networking events (AperiNetwork, Winter Gala, thematic events), a free mentorship program matching students with experienced professionals, a job posting service connecting employers (Huawei, Xiaomi, Gucci, OPPO) with bilingual candidates, and educational initiatives such as the High School Hub and the Oppo Grow Up Program. The organization serves as a bilateral bridge facilitating academic, professional, and business connections between Italy and China.

Product overview

ICPN is a non-profit organization operating as a networking and professional development platform for the Italian-Chinese community. The organization connects students, professionals, and companies through its core offerings: networking events (AperiNetwork, Winter Gala, thematic events), the Mentorship Program, Job Posting services, the Oppo Grow Up Program for career opportunities, and the High School Hub for younger students. These services are designed to facilitate connections between Italy and China across academic, professional, and business dimensions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mentorship Program: A free initiative creating mentorship relationships for students and young workers, connecting them with experienced professionals who share their experiences and knowledge.
• Oppo Grow Up Program
• High School Hub

Products and services

• ICPN Networking Events Recurring networking events including AperiNetwork (summer and winter editions), Winter Gala, Networking Dinners, and themed events such as Impact She (women empowerment) and Breaking Boundaries, designed to connect Italian-Chinese professionals, students, and companies in relaxed social settings.
• Mentorship Program A free annual mentorship initiative that creates mentorship relationships between students/young professionals and experienced professionals who share their career experiences, academic insights, and professional guidance for career development.
• Job Posting Service Recruitment platform connecting companies with ICPN community members for job opportunities, featuring job postings from Italian and Chinese employers including Huawei, Xiaomi, Gucci Japan, Hogan Lovells, and Value China.
• Oppo Grow Up Program Career development program providing recent graduates access to paid internship and entry-level positions at OPPO, with roles in business management, HR, testing engineering, and demand planning. The program has achieved over 90% internship-to-contract conversion rate in past editions.
• High School Hub Platform for high school students with Italian-Chinese backgrounds or interest in China, facilitating connections, discussions, and knowledge sharing across Italy through WeChat groups. Addresses the high dropout rate (up to 50%) among Italo-Chinese students by providing early engagement and support.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3000+ community members across multiple platforms
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cattolica Chinese Student Association (CCSA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2019Partnership agreement signed to create synergies between associations and build a network of Italo-Chinese student associations across Italian universities. Both organizations share values of collaboration and resource sharing.
• Bocconi Chinese Student Association (BCSA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2019Protocol of understanding signed to work together with other Italo-Chinese associations to expand horizons and strengthen networks. BCSA strongly believes in the potential of collaborations.
• WoShou - Chinese Italian Polimi Student AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2019Alliance to create a network of professional relationships between associations of Italy's most prestigious universities, favoring sharing of ideas and experiences in an international environment.
• Tor Vergata Chinese Student AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2019Partnership aimed at intensifying synergies between associations and pursuing common objectives in support of Italo-Chinese students.
• Politecnico di Torino Chinese Student Association (CSSAPoliTo)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2019Partnership to build a network taking advantage of China's rise and related social and economic trends, aligned with ICPN's forward-looking approach.
• Huawei ItaliaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHuawei Italia participated as guest speaker at the 'Educating for the Future' forum organized with Hantang association and Rome International School, discussing importance of education for international profiles.
• Dentons (大成)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational law firm participated as guest speaker at the 'Educating for the Future' forum alongside ICPN, LUISS university and BCSA.
• OPPOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOPPO partnered with ICPN for the 'Oppo Grow Up Program' offering paid internships and entry-level positions. Over 90% of internship positions have been converted to contracts in past editions.
• XiaomiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJob posting partner for various positions including Technical Support roles through the ICPN job posting platform.
• HuaweiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJob posting partner offering multiple positions including Compliance Specialist, GTM Manager, Procurement Specialist, and Marketing Specialists through ICPN platform.
• Gucci JapanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJob posting partner for Marketing Regional Liaisons Specialist position through ICPN recruitment services.
• Hogan LovellsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational law firm offering stage (internship) positions through ICPN job posting platform.
• Value ChinaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner company posting Account Manager and Administration/Accounting Assistant positions through ICPN platform.
• Politecnico di MilanominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner through WoShou association, collaborating on student networking and professional development initiatives.
• LUISSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner that collaborated with ICPN at the 'Educating for the Future' forum alongside Huawei Italia and Dentons.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• InternChina: UK- and China-based organization providing China-focused internship programs, cultural training, and study/internship placements. Comparable to ICPN in offering structured China-related internship placement and cultural orientation for international students.
• Young China Watchers: Global community of young professionals focused on China-related topics, with chapters in major cities and an events-led model similar to ICPN. Comparable in target audience (young China-focused professionals), community-led GTM, and event-driven engagement, though more policy/cultural than career-services oriented.

Direct peers

• AIESEC: Global youth-run non-profit operating leadership development and cross-border internship exchange programs in 100+ countries. Comparable to ICPN in mission (international youth talent mobility), non-profit structure, and reliance on volunteer chapters and corporate partners for placements.
• China-Italy Chamber of Commerce (CICC): Bilateral chamber of commerce connecting Italian and Chinese businesses, professionals, and institutions. Shares ICPN's positioning as a bridge between the two markets but operates at a corporate/B2B level rather than student/young-professional focus.
• IAESTE (International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience): International non-profit facilitating paid technical internships for students across 80+ countries. Comparable to ICPN in placing students into cross-border work-based learning experiences and operating through a network of national committees.

Broad incumbents

• Bocconi Alumni Association: Official alumni network of Bocconi University with chapters worldwide, offering networking, mentorship, and career services to graduates. ICPN partners with BCSA inside Bocconi but competes for the same Italo-Chinese graduate audience the alumni association serves.
• European Union Chamber of Commerce in China (European Chamber): Established chamber representing European businesses in China across multiple industries. Operates at a much larger scale than ICPN and serves institutional corporate members, but addresses similar cross-border Europe-China business and talent interests.
• EU-China Business Association (EUCBA): European-wide association promoting EU-China business relations and policy advocacy. Broader and more policy-oriented than ICPN, but addresses the same bilateral Europe-China economic relationship that ICPN serves at the talent/networking level.
• Confindustria China / Confindustria Estero: Italian employers' federation with international desks supporting Italian companies expanding abroad, including into China. Much larger institutional player that intersects with ICPN's corporate audience but does not specialize in the Italo-Chinese student/young-professional segment.

Regional players

• Politecnico di Milano Alumni Association (Polo Territoriale): Alumni network of Politecnico di Milano offering mentorship and career support to graduates including Chinese international alumni. Directly intersects with ICPN's WoShou partner channel and competes for the same Polimi Chinese student/professional population within Italy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/icpn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 ICPN - Italian Chinese Professional Network