OCBC has expanded its invite-only GENesis programme to include the children of high-net-worth customers in Hong Kong. Now in its third year, the exclusive programme has grown steadily since its inception with 27 participants from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Hong Kong. More than half of this year's cohort come from families where at least one parent is a business owner.

Equipping the next generation with entrepreneurial skills to succeed

Recognising the role that the next generation will play in stewarding family wealth, the GENesis programme places a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship and lays a foundation for family conversations around succession and legacy planning. Since wealth transfer conversations often deepen when children are in university or entering the workforce, the programme is tailored to participants between the ages of 18 and 25 years old.

The three-day programme, held from 22 to 24 July this year, offers participants deeper insights into their personal strengths, networking opportunities with business leaders and foundational knowledge in financial planning. For the first time, OCBC has also partnered with the Singapore Management University Executive Development to offer participants certification in a one-day "Entrepreneurship and Innovation Essentials" course, where participants learn entrepreneurial frameworks for innovation.

Enabling next-generation business owners to build a regional network

The inclusion of Hong Kong strengthens GENesis as a regional platform, bringing together the next generation of high-net-worth families from OCBC's key markets including Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. The programme facilitates cross-border networking, ideas exchange and exposure to diverse perspectives on wealth, entrepreneurship and business leadership. GENesis has grown into a distinctive programme that prepares high-net-worth families' next generation to navigate wealth and legacy transitions.

Reflecting on his experience, Nicholas Harijanto, 22, an Indonesian participant who is currently learning the ropes of his family's logistics business, said: "I'm passionate about transportation and am starting to get involved in my family's business. I've also dabbled with private dining since cooking is another passion of mine. I'm learning different aspects of entrepreneurship and the importance of delivering a great customer experience. What I really value about the programme is the cross-cultural exposure and networking with like-minded people. These friendships are valuable - maybe there are even opportunities for business collaborations in future- and we will continue to keep in touch even after the programme."

University undergraduate, Chloe Wong, 19, also found the programme beneficial. "I've always been curious about entrepreneurship and hearing directly from local founders about their entrepreneurial journeys gave me a real look at how businesses are built and the realities behind the scenes. One of the most eye-opening parts of the programme was the personality profiling session, which helped me better understand my strengths as someone who is people-oriented and relationship-driven. While I've always thought about starting a business one day, the programme showed me that entrepreneurship is much more than just having a good idea. It's also about connecting with people and using your unique strengths to do so," she said.

Susan Tan, head of segment, OCBC, said: "Often, our high-net-worth customers are concerned about wealth creation, preservation, succession and legacy planning. Many GENesis participants, who come from business-owning families, may one day assume leadership roles within the family business or start their own ventures. By exposing them to entrepreneurship and financial literacy concepts earlier, we want to give them the confidence to navigate the worlds of business and finance, imparting relevant skills so that they do not have to start from scratch, or figure everything out alone."

Re-disseminated by The Asian Banker