From October 28-31, LinkedWorld, the SAP global partner alliance, held the annual summit in Shanghai. More than 50 representatives from over 20 countries gathered in the city, with half of them visiting China for the first time.
During these days along the Huangpu River, partners not only experienced the charm of this vibrant metropolis with its historic architecture and stunning night views, but also forged genuine connections and found new momentum through meaningful exchanges and collaborative innovation.
Connecting the World:
Uniting Partners from 20+ Nations
On October 29, LinkedWorld CEO Wolfgang presented the alliance’s development to conference attendees. He shared that LinkedWorld now comprises 30 partner members with operations spanning 60 countries. The partners’ cloud business revenue shows robust growth with strong potential, demonstrating LinkedWorld’s thriving momentum and market influence as a global professional IT services alliance.
Compared to individual partners, LinkedWorld’s strength lies in transcending geographical and resource limitations. By connecting exceptional SAP partners worldwide, the alliance delivers premium, responsive digital services to enterprises.
This unique collaboration model and professional value have earned LinkedWorld widespread recognition from SAP and partners alike. Since its official launch at SAP headquarters in Germany in February 2023, the alliance has continuously evolved and innovated, becoming a vital force in driving global enterprise digital transformation.
Building on Altruism:
The LinkedWorld Journey
Two years ago, Michael Lu, Chairman of MTC, initiated the founding of the LinkedWorld alliance. The idea for LinkedWorld was sparked during his studies at CEIBS, where he connected with Professor Weiru Chen.
Michael was deeply inspired by the core principles of decentralized platforms: altruism, federated governance, and co-creation. Through LinkedWorld, he sought to embody these values – enabling partners to empower one another and thrive together.
At this year’s conference, we were privileged to have Professor Weiru Chen from CEIBS deliver insights on platform strategy in digital ecosystems, drawing from Chinese enterprise practices.
Professor Chen emphasized that successful platforms require both “the mindset to assist others to success” and “the ability to make others successful”. This philosophy represents a fundamental shift from “maximum self benefits” to “win-win” thinking. LinkedWorld embodies this transformation – creating value through rules and mechanisms that benefit customers, SAP, and all partners in the ecosystem.
Tech Talks at SAP Labs:
Driving Innovation Forward
On October 30, delegates headed to SAP Labs China for a day of technology and strategy exchange. Dr. Ruicheng Li, President of SAP Labs China, delivered the opening keynote, followed by comprehensive presentations from the SAP team covering product roadmaps, latest developments, and market strategies, providing partners with deep insights into SAP’s strategic direction and innovation priorities.
The afternoon featured multiple product-focused workshops where alliance partners and SAP colleagues explored specific technical solutions and business scenarios together. These interactive sessions enabled partners to gain valuable technical insights while building stronger connections with SAP teams.
As a founding member and host of this year’s summit, we at MTC shared our innovation achievements in China and globally, including AI and industry-specific solutions. We’re deepening our partnerships with SAP and outstanding alliance members worldwide, leveraging the SAP platform to drive innovation and accelerate business transformation.
The day concluded with a tour of SAP Labs, where partners explored cutting-edge technologies including virtual reality and brain-computer interfaces. Walking through the innovation spaces gave everyone a real feel for SAP’s R&D culture and future-focused mindset – the perfect way to wrap up an inspiring day of technical exchange.
Empowering ISVs:
Unlocking Global Opportunities Together
Beyond SAP partners, this summit brought together innovative ISV partners across diverse sectors, each sharing their unique expertise and vision: agritech (Liberali), livestock management (MTC EasyFarm), tax and payment solutions (Invent), cloud computing (Alibaba Cloud), robotics and unmanned aerial systems (AetherLin), retail technology (OVOPARK), and omnichannel commerce (Reabam Cloud).
Through LinkedWorld’s expansive network spanning 60 countries, ISV partners gain valuable access to global opportunities. Whether helping local innovators break into international markets or supporting established multinationals in deepening their global footprint, the alliance creates tangible pathways for growth.
Beyond Borders:
The Future of LinkedWorld
As the LinkedWorld 2025 Shanghai Conference comes to a successful close, we’re not looking at an ending – we’re standing at the beginning of something bigger.
LinkedWorld is evolving into a vital connector between partners and global SAP solution markets, unlocking opportunities for international sales, global brand visibility, and market expansion. We’re creating tangible value that transcends traditional boundaries.
Like Shanghai itself – a city that thrives on openness and diversity – LinkedWorld continues to bring together exceptional SAP partners from around the world. Our approach mirrors the decentralized platform philosophy Professor Chen shared: moving from “maximum self benefits” to genuine “win-win” collaboration.
A Special Thanks
A successful conference doesn’t just happen – it’s made possible by the people behind the scenes. To our dedicated MTC volunteers: your hard work and commitment made LinkedWorld 2025 Shanghai a memorable experience for everyone.
Thank you for making LinkedWorld 2025 such a success.
See you next year!
