National Innovation Agency Archives

NIA’s ‘SITE 2024’ Achieves Record Success at the MHESI ‘SCI POWER FOR FUTURE THAILAND’ Fair

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) through the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization), or NIA, announced the success in organizing the largest Thai innovation and startup event in the country, STARTUP x INNOVATION THAILAND EXPO 2024 (SITE 2024). With the theme “Innovation for Growth and Sustainability”, the event aimed to accelerate the sustainability of Thailand’s innovative and entrepreneurial startups from every dimension.

This year, a diverse group of startups and innovators participated in the expo, the MHESI Power of Interdisciplinary Research for Sustainable Development of Thai Economy, or the MHESI Fair. The event attracted over 600,000 visitors and generated more than 500 million Baht.

Dr Krithpaka Boonfueng, Executive Director of the NIA, revealed that “SITE 2024, the largest Thai Startup x Innovation Expo in the country, took place for the first time within the MHESI Fair, which several agencies under the supervision of the MHESI, were jointly showcasing the diverse potential of science, technology and innovation to drive Thailand into the future. This made the overall event this year more dynamic and vibrant, with over 600,000 attendees and generating income exceeding 500 million baht.”

For SITE 2024, NIA organized five highlight activities that acquired significant attention from visitors including:
– Forums: Featuring seminars and workshops with leading speakers from both domestic and international backgrounds, addressing the question of creating innovative businesses.
– International Hackathon: In collaboration with King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang and other partners, the hackathons focused on “Saving the World with AI.” comprising a total of 22 activities.
– Business Matching: SITE 2024’s Business Matching sessions connected startups and entrepreneurs in business discussions with investors and large companies, totalling 34 pairs with seven-leading VC / CVC / corporations, including Beacon Venture Capital, Bangchak Initiative and Innovation Center, Y&Archer, True Incube, InnoSpace (Thailand), AIS the Startup, and ALLY Global Management.
– Marketplace: Showcasing innovative products from over 300 startups and innovative enterprises.
– Startup Thailand League 2024: National Championship Round, featured 14 teams. The winning team was “MedStream Innovations” from King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, which was recognized for designing and producing organ-on-chip devices tailored to the needs of medical and pharmaceutical researchers. The first runner-up was team “Scamtify” from Thammasat University, for its platform to easily detect online scams with a single click. The second runner-up was team “DigiPeak” from Mae Fah Luang University, for its automated unmanned aerial vehicle system designed for precision agriculture.

The event also included the presentation of the Prime Minister Award 2024, which honors individuals and organizations for their contribution to promoting and supporting the development of the country’s startup ecosystem. A total of 12 awards were given, divided into two categories:

I. National Startups 2024:
– Startup of the Year: SkillLane
– Global Tech Startup of the Year: Buzzebee
– Evangelist of the Year: Mr. Saran Sutantiwong
– Investor of the Year: CU Enterprise
– Best Brotherhood of the Year: AIS The Startup, Katalyst, KBank, LiVE Platform
– Best Contributor in Human Capital Development: Chulalongkorn University

II. Innovation for Sustainability
The winners are: Siam Commercial Bank, Kasikorn Bank, UOB Bank, and Thai Beverage Co., Ltd.

Additionally, the NIA signed agreements to establish collaborative innovation networks with 13 agencies, both domestic and international, including:

– Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa) of Thailand
– National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA)
– Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)
– Leave a Nest Singapore, Pte. Ltd.
– Techsauce Media Co., Ltd.
– IMPACT Muang Thong Thani
– The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
– Montgomery County, Maryland
– The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI)
– Kasetsart University
– Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences (CRAES)
– Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand (SME Bank)

These collaborations aim to strengthen the Thai innovation ecosystem across its various dimensions and create opportunities to expand the international market for startups and innovative entrepreneurs.

Those interested in learning more are welcome to register at https://www.mhesifair.com and like us on Facebook @ NIA: National Innovation Agency, Thailand.

Source: The National Innovation Agency (NIA)

NIA’s SITE 2024 Achieves Record Success at the MHESI ‘SCI-POWER FOR FUTURE THAILAND’ Fair

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), through the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization) or NIA, gathered to announce the recent success of the largest Thai innovation and startup expo in the country, STARTUP x INNOVATION THAILAND EXPO 2024 (SITE 2024). Under the theme “Innovation for Growth and Sustainability”, the expo aimed to accelerate the sustainability of Thai innovation businesses and startups in every dimension.

This year, a diverse group of startups and innovators gathered to participate in MHESI’s showcase of the immense potential of interdisciplinary studies to drive sustainable economic development in Thailand, or the MHESI Fair. The event attracted 600,000 visitors and generated more than 500 million Baht.

Dr Krithpaka Boonfueng, Executive Director of the NIA, explained that “SITE 2024, the largest Thai Startup x Innovation Expo in the country, took place for the first time within the MHESI Fair, which was co-organized by several agencies under the supervision of the MHESI, showcasing the diverse potential of science, technology and innovation to drive Thailand into the future. Which made this year’s event more dynamic and vibrant, with over 600,000 attendees and generating income exceeding 500 million baht.”

For SITE 2024, NIA organized five highlighted activities that enjoyed significant attention from visitors, including:
– Forums: Featuring seminars and workshops with leading speakers from both domestic and international backgrounds, addressing the question of creating innovative businesses.
– International Hackathon: In collaboration with King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang and other partners, the hackathons focused on “Saving the World with AI.”
– Business Matching: A total of 22 Business Matching activities connected startups and entrepreneurs in business discussions with investors and large companies, totalling 34 pairs. Seven leading VC / CVC / Corporates participated, including Beacon Venture Capital, Bangchak Initiative and Innovation Center, Y&Archer, True Incube, InnoSpace (Thailand), AIS The Startup, and ALLY Global Management.
– Marketplace: Showcasing innovative products from over 300 startups and innovative enterprises.

– Startup Thailand League 2024: National Championship Round, featured 14 teams. The winning team was “MedStream Innovations” from King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, which was recognized for designing and producing organ-on-chip devices tailored to the needs of medical and pharmaceutical researchers. The first runner-up was team “Scamtify” from Thammasat University, for its platform to easily detect online scams with a single click. The second runner-up was team “DigiPeak” from Mae Fah Luang University, for its automated unmanned aerial vehicle system designed for precision agriculture.

II. Innovation for Sustainability
The winners were Siam Commercial Bank, Kasikorn Bank, UOB Bank, and Thai Beverage Pcl

Additionally, the NIA signed agreements to establish collaborative innovation networks with 13 agencies, both domestic and international, including:

– Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa) of Thailand
– National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA)
– Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)
– Liveaness Singapore, Pte. Ltd.
– Techsauce Media Co., Ltd.
– IMPACT Muang Thong Thani
– Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
– Montgomery County, Maryland
– The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI)
– Kasetsart University
– Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences (CRAES)
– Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand (SME Bank)

These collaborations jointly aim to strengthen the Thai innovation ecosystem across its various dimensions and create opportunities to expand the international market for startups and innovative entrepreneurs.

Those interested in learning more are welcome to register at https://www.mhesifair.com
and like us on Facebook @ NIA: National Innovation Agency, Thailand.

Please contact:
Dujrapee Chaovanapricha
The National Innovation Agency (NIA)
Email: dujrapee.c@nia.or.th

Source: The National Innovation Agency (NIA)

Countdown to the first ever Thai innovation and startup network expo ‘SITE 2024’ at SCI Power For Future Thailand

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) by the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization) or NIA is hosting “STARTUP THAILAND x INNOVATION THAILAND EXPO 2024” or SITE 2024 under the concept of “Innovation for Growth and Sustainability” to accelerate the creation of sustainability for Thai businesses and start-ups in all dimensions. There will be an exhibition of exciting innovations, a knowledge transfer session, business opportunity expansions, and cutting-edge innovative products to spark new ideas. The goal is to foster strength and sustainable growth for Thai startups and innovative entrepreneurs. This year’s event will be organized in conjunction with SCI Power For Future Thailand – an event promoting the utilization of scientific research for sustainable economic development from 22 – 28 July 2024 at Zone C, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.

Dr. Krithpaka Boonfueng, Executive Director of the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization) or NIA states that “NIA is forging ahead in its role as the “Focal Conductor” of innovation, bridging collaborations with both domestic and international partners. This effort aims to promote and support innovative entrepreneurs and startups in every dimension, leading to sustainable economic and social impacts for the country. Additionally, NIA plays a crucial role in policy formulation and facilitating the innovation ecosystem to enhance business potential and value creation. This includes fostering continuous innovation development among entrepreneurs, startups, and the public sector. The annual STARTUP THAILAND x INNOVATION THAILAND EXPO (SITE) is a key tool in this endeavour, elevating Thai innovative entrepreneurs and startups by providing them with opportunities for sustainable growth.

This year “STARTUP THAILAND x INNOVATION THAILAND EXPO 2024” or SITE 2024 will be held under the concept of “Innovation for Growth and Sustainability” with 3 main objectives: 1) Raising awareness of innovation; 2) Driving business growth and sustainability; and 3) Creating opportunities for startups and innovation-based entrepreneurs, consisting of 5 highlighted activities:

– Forum: A stage that brings together leading start-ups and innovators in Thailand and expert lecturers from abroad who will join to update the world’s innovation trends. They are ready to exchange knowledge and inspire innovation development, including Road to Unicorn by the NIA’s executive team, Scale-up Thailand Fueling by Coach, Cash, and Connect by Assoc. Prof. Dr Natcha Thawesaengskulthai, PhD, Startup and Innovation Ecosystem in Montgomery County, Maryland, USA by Judy Costello, Global Startup Scaling for Thai Startups by Linda Nguyen Schindler and a seminar and brainstorming session on developing financial and investment capabilities for innovation projects in the area of solving environmental and climate problems in Thailand by NIA and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)

– Marketplace: A comprehensive innovation marketplace featuring over 300 startups and innovative entrepreneurs who will introduce cutting-edge products and services that respond to innovation trends for business sustainability in the future world. There were also innovative products on display at the booth from international agencies, including Japan, Korea and China.

– Business Matching: A forum for meeting business cooperation, which is an important opportunity for startups and entrepreneurs to expand their ideas into innovative businesses, find partners and receive advice to grow their businesses strongly. Investors, venture capital firms and large companies joined the stage, including AIS the Startup, ALLY Global Management, Bangchak, Beacon Venture, InnoSpace (Thailand), MAX Venture, True Incube and Y&Archer.

Prime Minister Award: An award ceremony honoring and recognizing contributors who have participated in promoting and supporting the development of the country’s startup ecosystem and strengthening the business potential of Thai startups to enter the international market.

– Startup Thailand League 2024: The National Pitching of Thailand Championship round consists of the final 14 teams of the startup business idea competition activity at the higher education level. This year, it was organized under the concept “Turn your dreams to build your business with a different idea.”

“This year, SITE 2024 is especially significant as it is held in conjunction with the “SCI Power” Fair, a major event promoting the utilization of higher education, science, research, and innovation for sustainable economic development. This fair serves as a crucial platform to showcase the potential of economic development through higher education, science, research, and innovation. It aims to inspire learning in these fields to improve quality of life, aligning with lifestyles at all stages of life. We believe that SITE 2024 will spark new knowledge and ideas for creating technology and innovation, enhance commercial opportunities, and expand business prospects for promising startups. The government and relevant agencies are ready to support these efforts to increase global competitiveness, enhance the country’s reputation, and further develop the national economy.”, Dr Krithpaka concluded.

For those interested, can get more details and register at https://www.mhesifair.com and Facebook: NIA: National Innovation Agency, Thailand.