A salon bringing together the creators of the newly released college student entrepreneurship reality show Gold Rush 2026 was held at the Communication University of China on Thursday.
The program, which airs on Hunan Satellite TV, recruits university student entrepreneurs from around the globe to present and compete in project road shows across several key sectors.
These include artificial intelligence and information technology; new consumption and AI-driven cultural technology; advanced manufacturing and high-end equipment; new energy and new materials; modern agriculture and the health industry; as well as aerospace, marine and low-altitude economies. The program seeks to promote cross-cultural exchange and the integration of entrepreneurial resources between China and other countries.
During the salon, Tong Dandan, an entrepreneurship mentor for the program, shared her observations from an academic perspective. She noted that the program has broken down previous barriers to entrepreneurial knowledge by transforming private business discussions into public learning resources. She encouraged young entrepreneurs to look for innovative entry points in areas such as "blank markets" and "niche markets".
Wang Tian, deputy director of Hunan Satellite TV and executive producer of Gold Rush 2026, delivered a keynote speech on the core competitiveness of content creation amid the current AI boom. She argued that the core strength of content workers lies in their "deep understanding of and high empathy with people".
"Only by staying closely connected to the real world can content carry weight," Wang said, encouraging future creators to immerse themselves in life, develop aesthetic judgment, and document the era with content full of vitality.
During the question-and-answer session, students of the Communication University of China actively engaged with the salon guests on topics such as program production, entrepreneurial pain points, career development for media professionals and the audience appeal of content themes.
When a student asked what value an entrepreneurship program offers to viewers who have no intention of starting a business, Li Chen, the program's director, responded that the core competencies required for entrepreneurship and employment are essentially the same, adding that the program ultimately showcases the charm of human nature and the brilliance of individuals.
