Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation opens Startup Thailand 2019, leading Thailand toward becoming a "Startup Nation" and positioning Bangkok as the startup hub of Southeast Asia.

On July 24, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) officially opened "Startup Thailand 2019," Southeast Asia's largest tech startup event, under the theme STARTUP NATION.

Dr. Suvit Maesincee, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, presided over the opening ceremony and delivered a special keynote address on the theme "Southeast Asia: Tech Hub of the World," emphasizing that ASEAN is a key driver of the global economy with high-level capacity in technology and innovation, and that startups are the new economic warriors who will lead the nation to become the world's technology center.

Dr. Suvit Maesincee stated at the opening of Startup Thailand 2019: "Promoting startups is not just the concern of any single group or government agency — it requires collaboration from all sectors to build our country into a 'Startup Nation' that drives economic growth, creates quality jobs for Thais, reduces inequality across all dimensions, and moves Thailand out of the middle-income trap toward a high-income nation in the coming years."

Over the past 5 years, the government has recognized startups as economic warriors — a vital force to drive Thailand toward stable economic value creation by 2037, in line with the National Strategy Vision. Startup development must be pursued as a complete Startup Ecosystem: from building awareness and entrepreneurial spirit, to nurturing and accelerating businesses toward the international stage, generating investment from venture capital, individual investors, and large corporations.

Accordingly, the Cabinet approved the establishment of a "One-Stop Service (OSS)" for startups, serving as a central hub to promote startup business operations both domestically and internationally. The OSS will support entrepreneurs from the Idea Stage through Commercialization, offering incubation, co-working spaces, and coordination services — operated jointly by the National Innovation Agency (NIA) and other relevant ministries including Finance, Commerce, NESDC, BOI, and private sector associations.

Additionally, the government approved the accelerated establishment of a Startup Development and Promotion Fund to provide financial support to entrepreneurs from the concept development stage until they can develop commercially viable products and services.

One key difference for this year's event is that the responsible ministry has changed from the former Ministry of Science and Technology to the new Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation — extending the startup value chain so that innovations emerging from universities can now reach the outside world as spinoff startups.

Dr. Suvit concluded: "This year is also significant for Thailand as we hold the ASEAN Chairmanship. One key role is promoting cooperation among ASEAN member states in all areas, including startups. ASEAN nations are trading nations with high-level capabilities in science, technology, research, and innovation — recognized internationally from Singapore and Malaysia to Indonesia and Thailand. I believe ASEAN will become the Tech Hub of the World within the next few years."

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Soranit Siltharm, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, noted that three years of building new economic actors have generated widespread startup awareness in Thailand, creating the THAILAND STARTUP UNIVERSE — a collaboration between public, private, academic, and community sectors.

This year, STARTUP THAILAND 2019 gathered top startups from Thailand and around the world, plus players from public, private, and community sectors across 25 countries, featuring over 500 startups across 9 venues along Bangkok's BTS and MRT lines — reflecting Bangkok as "the best city in Asia for startups."

Mr. Phanthai Chaiyarat, Director of the National Innovation Agency (NIA), also highlighted key activities at the event including workshops, exhibitions, and startup competitions targeting unicorn-potential ideas.

Startup Thailand 2019: Startup Nation was held July 23–27, 2019 at the Bangkok Innovation Corridor (9 venues). For more details: www.startupthailand.org/st2019 | Facebook: StartupThailand

Date: July 24, 2019 | Source: Thairath Online Editorial Team

Credit: Thairath Money