St.Gallen Institute of Management in Asia (SGI-HSG)

What St.Gallen Institute of Management in Asia (SGI-HSG) does

The St.Gallen Institute of Management in Asia (SGI-HSG) is the University of St.Gallen's regional outpost in Singapore, operating since the launch of the Asia Term exchange programme in 2003 and formally established as an institute by 2011. Headquartered at 110 Amoy Street in Singapore with a 7-person team, it functions as a non-profit educational hub that coordinates the University of St.Gallen's Asia-related teaching, research, and executive-education activities.

SGI-HSG's product portfolio centres on four programme families: the Asia Term (a flagship four-month Bachelor-level exchange with Singapore Management University, August–December), Asia Compact (master-level intensive courses in Singapore during semester breaks covering topics from AI Governance to Fintech Innovation and Private Equity), the St.Galler Private Equity Navigator (a DACH-focused certificate course in St.Gallen), and the HSG-SMU Wealth Management Study Mission (an annual Zurich-based programme). Supporting offerings include Summer Schools in Asia and Switzerland, thesis supervision by Prof. Dr. Stefan Morkötter, and two research Competence Centres covering Business Development (family-firm succession in Asia) and Customer Centricity. Underlying infrastructure is standard academic tooling — learning management systems and video conferencing — with no proprietary technology stack.

The business model is professional-services-style education revenue: modest per-participant executive-education fees (e.g., CHF 2,450 for the PE Navigator), integrated tuition flowing through the parent university's fee structures for Asia Term and Asia Compact, and partnership-driven corporate engagement (25+ corporate partners annually) that funds student consulting projects rather than direct institute revenue. Go-to-market relies on university channels, the HSG alumni network, the SMU partnership, and direct executive-education enquiries, with no external private investment or equity ownership.

Name

St.Gallen Institute of Management in Asia (SGI-HSG)

Legal name

St.Gallen Institute of Management in Asia (SGI-HSG)

Website

https://singapore.unisg.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SGI-HSG is the University of St.Gallen's 7-person Singapore-based educational hub, running the Asia Term Bachelor exchange, Asia Compact master courses, executive education (St.Galler PE Navigator, HSG-SMU Wealth Management Study Mission), and Summer Schools that bridge DACH and Asia-Pacific learners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Singapore

HQ country

Singapore

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Executive Education Programme Fees: Revenue is generated through course fees for executive education programmes such as the St.Galler Private Equity Navigator (CHF 2,450 per participant). Additional revenue comes from programme fees for Asia Compact courses, Summer Schools, and custom executive education offerings delivered in Singapore and Switzerland.
2. Academic Exchange and Programme Fees: The Asia Term exchange programme allows University of St.Gallen students to study at Singapore Management University. While the core exchange is part of the university's academic programme, students incur costs for travel, accommodation, and personal expenses during their 4-month stay in Singapore.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SGI-HSG delivers management education programmes that connect the University of St.Gallen with the Asia-Pacific region. Its core offerings include the Asia Term (Bachelor-level 4-month exchange with SMU), Asia Compact (Master-level intensive courses during semester breaks), executive education programmes (St.Galler Private Equity Navigator, HSG-SMU Wealth Management Study Mission), Summer Schools in Asia and Switzerland, and Thesis Supervision supported by research Competence Centres.

Product overview

The St.Gallen Institute of Management in Asia (SGI-HSG) offers a portfolio of educational programmes that connect the University of St.Gallen with Asia. The core offerings include the Asia Term (a flagship Bachelor exchange programme in Singapore), Asia Compact (master-level intensive courses in Singapore during semester breaks), and Executive Education programmes (St.Galler Private Equity Navigator and HSG-SMU Wealth Management Study Mission). Supporting offerings include Summer Schools in both Asia and Switzerland, Thesis Supervision, and research-oriented Competence Centres covering Business Development, Customer Centricity, Wealth Management, Intercultural Competence, Entrepreneurship, and Global Innovation. The institute serves as the University of St.Gallen's hub for Asia-related activities, coordinating teaching, research, and executive education that bridges Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Asia Term: The HSG Asia Term is the University of St.Gallen's flagship exchange programme at the Bachelor level. During four months from August to December, HSG students study and live in Singapore.
• Asia Compact
• St.Galler Private Equity Navigator
• HSG-SMU Wealth Management Study Mission
• Summer Schools in Asia & Switzerland

Products and services

• Asia Term Four-month Bachelor-level exchange programme held in Singapore from August to December in collaboration with Singapore Management University (SMU). HSG students study and live in Singapore, combining classroom instruction by both SMU and HSG faculty with company visits, guest lectures, and cultural activities. Fully integrated into SMU's curriculum with over 700 alumni since 2003.
• Asia Compact Master-level intensive courses held in Singapore during semester breaks, combining lectures, case studies, company visits, and cultural exposure. Courses cover themes such as AI Governance, Fintech Innovation, Private Equity, and Intercultural Competence for master's students.
• St.Galler Private Equity Navigator Certificate course on the Private Equity asset class held in St.Gallen, Switzerland. Directed by Prof. Dr. Stefan Morkötter, the programme provides practice-oriented and research-based knowledge on Private Equity concepts, structures, and market developments, targeting professionals from private banking, wealth management, family offices, and advisory services in the DACH region. Priced at CHF 2,450 per participant.
• HSG-SMU Wealth Management Study Mission Annual study mission in which SMU Master of Wealth Management students travel to St.Gallen and Zurich for an intensive week exploring the Swiss wealth management landscape, including a Practitioners' Day in Zurich with visits to Swiss financial institutions such as Pictet Bank, UBS, Julius Baer, Sygnum, and EFG International.
• Summer School in Asia Two-week summer programme for high school students and recent graduates held at SGI-HSG's premises in Singapore during the first two weeks of August. Offers courses, company visits, social events, and preparation for university studies, with expected travel and accommodation costs of CHF 1,000 to 1,500.
• Summer School in Switzerland Two-week summer programme for high school students and recent graduates held in St.Gallen and beyond during the first weeks of July, providing experience at the University of St.Gallen with courses, cultural activities, and social events.
• Thesis Supervision Thesis supervision by Prof. Dr. Stefan Morkötter for students interested in writing theses on Private Equity, credit risk, banking, family offices, or financial aspects of family firms. Selected projects focus on empirical finance with quantitative components; research projects focusing on Asia are highly welcome.
• Competence Centre for Business Development Research centre focusing on growth opportunities, SME competitiveness, and family business succession in Asia. Examines factors that increase SME competitiveness including innovation environment and organisational structures, and investigates succession processes in Asian family firms. Led by Prof. Dr. Thomas Zellweger.
• Competence Centre for Customer Centricity Research centre focused on challenges and success factors of Customer Centricity in Asian markets, covering dynamic customer needs, competitive advantage, and productivity improvement through customer-centric practices. Led by Prof. Dr. Marcus Schögel.
• Business Consulting (Asia Term Course) Core compulsory course of the Asia Term where over 120 students from St.Gallen and SMU attend lectures and work in groups of 4-5 on real-life consulting projects with corporate partners such as Audi Singapore, Jungheinrich Lift Truck Singapore, and Zurich Life Insurance Singapore. Students develop consulting skills, intercultural competence, and project management capabilities.
• Business Development in Asia (Asia Term Course) Three-day intensive compulsory course during the Asia Term introduction week, covering business development concepts, growth opportunities, and business systems in Asia using strategy, entrepreneurship, and comparative management frameworks.

Quantifiable outcome

• 700+ students have completed the Asia Term exchange programme since 2003
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 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

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• HSG Alumni AssociationminorOthers · 1 January 2012The HSG Asia Term Alumni Club was founded in 2012 as an official alumni club of HSG Alumni, providing a platform for former Asia Term students to reconnect, network, and share their experiences in Asia.
• Singapore Management University (SMU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003Since 2003, the Asia Term has been jointly developed with SMU and is fully integrated into SMU's curriculum. The exchange programme allows HSG students to study and live in Singapore for four months, participating in a carefully designed programme with ample intercultural experiences.
• Singapore Management University (SMU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2000Long-standing strategic partnership with SMU for the Asia Term exchange programme. Students from University of St.Gallen study at SMU and participate in fully integrated curriculum alongside local students. Joint programmes include the HSG-SMU Wealth Management Study Mission and collaborative consulting projects. The partnership spans all levels from university presidents to faculty, PhDs, and undergraduate students.
• Pictet BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution during the Practitioners' Day in Zurich as part of the HSG-SMU Wealth Management Study Mission. Students visit the bank and attend talks by senior industry leaders.
• UBSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuest speaker organization during Practitioners' Day in Zurich, providing senior industry insights to students on wealth management practices.
• Julius BaerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuest speaker organization during Practitioners' Day in Zurich, contributing to student learning about private banking and wealth management.
• SygnumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital asset bank guest speaker during Practitioners' Day in Zurich, providing insights on emerging trends in digital assets and wealth management.
• EFG InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuest speaker organization during Practitioners' Day in Zurich, contributing to student understanding of Swiss private banking.
• CEMS Global Alliance in Management EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDominic Rainsborough holds a double degree in Accounting and Finance from University of St.Gallen and International Management at CEMS, indicating institutional ties to the CEMS alliance.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• INSEAD: INSEAD operates a major Asia campus in Singapore and is a global leader in executive education and MBA programmes. It is directly comparable to SGI-HSG as a top business school running a Singapore-based hub that bridges global executives with Asian business exposure.
• EDHEC Business School: EDHEC operates an Asia campus in Singapore with executive and specialised programmes, making it a direct structural peer to SGI-HSG as a European business school's Asia outpost serving executives and masters students.
• London Business School: London Business School runs executive education programmes across global hubs including Asia. It competes with SGI-HSG for senior executives seeking cross-border management education and wealth management content.
• IMD Business School: IMD is a Switzerland-based business school globally recognized for executive education and is a close competitor for the St.Galler Private Equity Navigator audience in the DACH region. Both compete for the same wealth management and family office executive segment.
• ESSEC Business School: ESSEC runs an Asia-Pacific campus in Singapore and offers degree and executive programmes with a strong Europe-Asia focus. Its Singapore hub model closely mirrors how SGI-HSG delivers Asia-oriented programmes for a European parent institution.

Regional players

• NUS Business School: NUS Business School is a leading Asia-based business school offering degree and executive programmes with deep regional corporate networks. It competes with SGI-HSG for executive education mandates and Asia-focused master's students.
• HKUST Business School: HKUST Business School is a top Asian business school with strong executive education and a focus on China and broader Asia markets. It is comparable as a regional incumbent serving Asia-focused executives and exchange students.

Broad incumbents

• Singapore Management University (SMU): SMU is SGI-HSG's core strategic partner and a much larger Singapore-based business school offering undergraduate, masters, and executive programmes. It is comparable as a local incumbent and the primary channel for the Asia Term exchange.

Emerging players

• SP Jain School of Global Management: SP Jain is an Asia-rooted business school with multiple international campuses and a focus on cross-cultural business education. It overlaps with SGI-HSG on the Asia-Europe executive and masters segment from a different geographic base.
• Hult International Business School: Hult operates global campuses including in Asia and emphasises practical, international business education. It overlaps with SGI-HSG on globally mobile master's students seeking Asian business exposure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/sgi-hsg

Compliance4 records

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 St.Gallen Institute of Management in Asia (SGI-HSG)