"From China Agricultural University to Global Entrepreneurship"—FORESTOWN Founder and CEO Shang Yu Invited to Deliver an Inspiring Alumni Talk at CAU’s College of Plant Protection

"The Entrepreneurial Journey from China Agricultural University to the Global Stage"

— FORESTOWN Founder and CEO Shang Yu invited to deliver an inspiring speech as an outstanding alumnus at China Agricultural University's College of Plant Protection.

On the afternoon of October 31, 2025, the lecture hall at the College of Plant Protection of China Agricultural University was buzzing with excitement. Shang Yu, founder and CEO of FORESTOWN International Human Resources Group—a distinguished alumnus who once studied at CAU—returned to his alma mater armed with extensive entrepreneurial experience and profound insights. He delivered a captivating speech titled "The Entrepreneurial Journey from CAU to the Global Stage," inspiring his younger peers with his remarkable story.

Shang Yu shares his entrepreneurial story, filled with boldness and strategic insight. From the very beginning of the company, he keenly turned his gaze toward overseas markets. Although the international HR landscape was already fiercely competitive at the time, there were still numerous untapped niches in specialized sectors. Leveraging a deep understanding of global market trends, the team carefully selected specific industries to focus on, delivering innovative service models and tailored, professional solutions that quickly helped the company establish a solid foothold abroad. Meanwhile, the San Jose headquarters in the U.S., benefiting from the region’s vibrant innovation culture and abundant talent pool, continuously refined its service technologies and streamlined operational processes. Meanwhile, the Hamburg headquarters in Germany, capitalizing on its strategic position as a European hub, actively expanded into the European market, building an extensive network of business partnerships. As the company’s overseas operations grew increasingly robust, it naturally shifted its growth focus back to the domestic market. Drawing on the cutting-edge expertise and proven strategies honed overseas, the company swiftly made significant inroads into China’s HR sector, successfully executing a seamless transition—from international to domestic—and solidifying its strategic expansion across borders.

Once the interactive session began, the atmosphere instantly came alive as students eagerly seized this rare opportunity to share the challenges they’ve been facing. One student asked, "In the early stages of entrepreneurship, how can we quickly mobilize and integrate resources when faced with extreme scarcity?" Another student chimed in, "When our team was working on an agriculture-related startup project, we noticed that market demands were changing incredibly fast—so how can we stay agile and accurately anticipate these shifts?" Yet another student posed the question, "During the process of building a startup team, how can we attract partners who not only share our vision but also complement each other’s skills?" Throughout the session, Shang Yu patiently addressed each question one by one, fostering a lively yet well-organized environment.

This profoundly meaningful speech was like a beacon of light, illuminating the long and winding journey ahead for students pursuing agricultural protection entrepreneurship. Not only did it dispel the fog of entrepreneurial uncertainty among the students with vivid real-world examples and practical strategies, but it also ignited a fiery passion within each of them, kindling the burning desire to turn their ideas into reality. Even after the speech ended, many students remained eager for more, gathering around Shang Yu to continue discussing the intricacies and possibilities of starting their own ventures. All expressed that they had drawn endless inspiration and courage from Shang Yu’s firsthand experiences—and now, determined to follow his example, they will bravely tackle every challenge on their entrepreneurial path, nurturing their dreams with both wisdom and hard work, ultimately blossoming into the success they’ve always envisioned.