On March 14, 2025, the Gen Z New York Brand Summit unfolded in the heart of Manhattan, bringing together a dynamic cross-section of emerging brand leaders, designers, and entrepreneurs. Organized by the Global Art Innovator Club (GAIC) and GaGro, the summit was a vibrant display of Gen Z’s creative force and its potential to reshape global markets.
The event, held in collaboration between the two youth-led non-profit organizations, marked a pivotal moment in their shared mission to amplify the voice of emerging Chinese entrepreneurs on the world stage through the lens of sustainability, design innovation, and intergenerational collaboration. It was a bold statement about the future of cultural entrepreneurship, driven by young creatives fluent in both tradition and transformation.
Bridging Cultures Through Design and Dialogue
GAIC, an award-winning international leadership organization and New York-registered NGO, was founded by Weiyu Liu and a team of emerging visionaries from Parsons School of Design. Their mission is to harness the synergy between art, design, and sustainable brand development. GAIC distinguishes itself through its emphasis on cross-brand collaboration, bringing together creators and companies to redefine brand-building through an ecological and socially responsible lens.
Leading the event’s production was Ashley Wang, one of GAIC’s core organizers. Her precise coordination and strategic oversight helped set the tone for a day that celebrated authenticity and ambition. Photographer Jocelyn Pan captured the vibrant atmosphere, highlighting both candid conversations and key moments of exchange among participants.
GaGro, meanwhile, shares a kindred purpose. The U.S.-based non-profit is dedicated to harnessing the power of Generation Z to uplift Chinese youth and cultural brands, both at home and abroad. From roadshows and brand showcases to international academic summits, GaGro curates opportunities for young leaders to engage with global audiences and industry experts alike.
Together, GAIC and GaGro curated the Gen Z New York Brand Summit as a launchpad for Chinese cultural brands aiming to scale internationally, and as a safe, stylish space for young voices to be heard and celebrated.
A Platform for Innovation and Global Ambition
Throughout the summit, panels and presentations sparked conversation on how Chinese-founded brands can not only enter the U.S. market but thrive by leveraging their unique cultural DNA. Speakers included young founders, product designers, and strategists who shared their experiences navigating global expansion while remaining rooted in cultural authenticity.
One of the key themes that emerged from the day was the importance of sustainable development, not just environmentally, but also economically and socially. Many Gen Z brand leaders are rejecting the fast-paced, disposable nature of conventional consumerism, choosing instead to build community-focused enterprises that integrate heritage with purpose.
The summit offered a rare glimpse into how this generation is redefining success. Attendees discussed how aesthetics, storytelling, and identity-building are becoming as crucial as profit margins, particularly when entering markets like New York, where diversity and innovation are prized.
Community, Collaboration, and the Road Ahead
Both GAIC and GaGro emphasize collaboration as central to their values. The summit was as much about community-building as it was about brand strategy. By gathering students, creators, and cultural entrepreneurs under one roof, the event fostered connections that are likely to spark new projects and partnerships across borders.
Many participants commented on the value of finding like-minded peers who are also balancing cultural heritage with modern design language. “There’s something deeply inspiring about seeing people your age doing work that matters on both a personal and global scale,” one attendee noted.
For GAIC, the Gen Z New York Brand Summit is only the beginning. The organization is actively seeking to expand its partnerships, inviting brands, schools, and cultural institutions to join its growing network of innovators.
Similarly, GaGro is looking to scale its impact by continuing to spotlight young Chinese creators in global contexts, whether through exhibitions, forums, or creative incubators. As a new generation of Chinese entrepreneurs comes of age, GaGro hopes to ensure their stories are not just told, but celebrated.
Insights from the Frontlines of Entrepreneurship
The summit featured a wide array of speakers whose ventures span industries from food and beauty to fashion and cultural tourism. Each of them offered a distinct perspective on how to navigate the complexities of launching and scaling a culturally grounded brand in global markets.
From the food and beverage sector, Zhao Yong offered insights into transforming traditional Chinese restaurants through data-driven operations and localized marketing. “It’s not just about competing on product,” he said, “it’s about competing for space in the consumer’s mind.”
Chelsea, an entrepreneur in the pet fashion industry, shared how she relied on market research and community engagement, opting to partner with local pet stores to slowly build brand recognition. Her success reflects the importance of understanding regional consumer behavior and adapting branding strategies accordingly.
Han Guowei, best known for turning the Great Wall into a cultural tourism brand through events like the “Great Wall Marathon,” spoke to the long-term vision needed to build a successful cultural brand. He called Gen Z Chinese students abroad “key bridges” for global cultural exchange, encouraging them to look beyond commerce and think about their brand’s deeper cultural mission.
Guan Kailu, founder of the beauty brand Hua Zhi Xiao, described how she successfully entered the North American market by shifting the brand narrative from “protecting a girl’s heart” to “protecting the inner child.”
From the jewelry sector, Aris shared how integrating online and offline sales strategies, including livestreaming, enabled her brand to grow steadily while receiving real-time customer feedback. Livestreaming, she said, is more than just a sales tactic. It’s an instant feedback loop that can guide product development.
Celebrating a Generation with Global Vision
Ultimately, the Gen Z New York Brand Summit was a celebration of a generation unwilling to be confined by geography or tradition. Through collaboration, innovation, and cultural fluency, the event demonstrated how young Chinese brand leaders are reshaping global narratives — one product, one conversation, and one idea at a time.
In a world increasingly defined by complexity and cultural hybridity, organizations like GAIC and GaGro are showing what it means to lead with integrity and imagination. Their work is a reminder that the future of global branding isn’t about assimilation — it’s about authenticity, vision, and the courage to build across borders. For more information, please visit the GAIC website.
Jenny Wang is a writer and editor focusing on modern and contemporary art. She is the editor-in-chief of IMPULSE Magazine and contributes art criticism to publications such as Vogue Scandinavia, Cultbytes, and Odalisque. She holds a B.A. from Columbia University.