The Thai Startup Trade Association (Thai Startup) reaffirms its commitment to “Pioneer the New Economy” by preparing to host the grand “Thai Startup Day 2025: Pioneer the New Economy” event, celebrating its 11th anniversary. The event will bring together gurus, top startup executives, and investors to drive the Thai startup scene onto the global stage, revealing that despite global economic challenges, Thai startups remain resilient and continue to grow.
Bangkok, Thailand – The Thai Startup Trade Association, or “Thai Startup,” has announced its major annual event, “Thai Startup Day 2025: Pioneer the New Economy,” on the occasion of its 11th anniversary of the association’s establishment. This event is not just a significant celebration but also a major mobilization of efforts to enhance the capabilities of Thai startups. It reaffirms the commitment to building an ecosystem conducive to sustainable growth, enabling Thai entrepreneurs to compete proudly on the global stage, in line with the association’s firm resolution to “Pioneer the New Economy.”
The concept of “Pioneer the New Economy” is not merely a slogan but reflects the crucial role of startups as spearheads driving innovation and creating new business models that will lead Thailand fully into the digital economy era. The association recognizes startups as the primary mechanism for structural economic change, generating high-quality employment, and enhancing the country’s long-term competitiveness. This event, therefore, is like planting a significant flag, demonstrating Thailand’s readiness to become a regional hub for innovation and technology, attracting domestic and international investment, and inspiring a new generation to dare to start businesses and create change.
Vision from the Leader: Challenges, Opportunities, and Thai Startup’s 11-Year Journey
Mr. Thanawit Tonkanya, President of the Thai Startup Trade Association, shared his perspective on the current state of the Thai startup scene, noting that despite facing challenges from a slowing global economy, Thai startups continue to demonstrate outstanding potential.
“Although Thai startups currently face challenges from the global economic slowdown, we still see growth in Thai startups across many industries that have been able to continuously raise funds in the recent period. This reflects the potential and innovation of Thai entrepreneurs who can adapt and create opportunities amidst challenges,” Mr. Thanawit Tonkanya stated.
Looking back at the journey over the past 11 years, the President spoke of the commitment to building a strong ecosystem: “Throughout the past 11 years, the Thai Startup Trade Association has been committed to building an ecosystem conducive to the growth of Thai startups through advocating for supportive government policies, building networks with domestic and international partners, and organizing activities to enhance knowledge and skills for entrepreneurs.” The association’s core mission focuses on three key areas, or the “3Ms”: Manpower (building a digital workforce), Money (financial support), and Market (propelling Thai startups into the market).
Under the ‘Manpower’ framework, the association has initiated projects to develop essential skills and knowledge for personnel in the digital and technology sectors to meet the demands of the rapidly growing startup market. In terms of ‘Money,’ the association acts as a bridge connecting startups with various funding sources, including Venture Capital, Corporate Venture Capital (CVC), Angel Investors, and financial institutions, as well as providing information and advice on fundraising.
For ‘Market,’ the association supports the market expansion of Thai startups, both domestically and internationally, through business matching activities, building networks with large corporations, and promoting the adoption of startup innovations in various industries. “In the past year, we have focused on systematically building a Thai startup database through the Thai Startup Directory project and promoting connections between startups, investors, and large corporations,” Mr. Thanawit added.
Mr. Thanawit also emphasized the critical importance of startups to the Thai capital market ecosystem. “Startups are a crucial starting point for innovation development and economic growth in the digital age, and they will be a key force in driving the capital market in the future.” For this reason, the Capital Market Development Fund (CMDF) places importance on and continuously supports the development of Thai startups.
“The Thai Startup Directory project is a crucial jigsaw piece that will help all sectors understand and access comprehensive information about Thai startups, leading to more effective support and investment. Currently, over 500 startups have registered in the system, and we invite all Thai startups to register to become part of this database that will help you gain wider recognition and access more business opportunities,” Mr. Thanawit further stated.
The Thai Startup Directory is not just a list of startups but a strategic tool that helps create transparency and increases access to in-depth information about the Thai startup ecosystem. For investors, this information aids in efficiently finding and assessing the potential of interesting startups, reducing the complexity of initial due diligence. Large corporations can use the Directory to find new business partners or startups with technology that can meet their organizational needs (Corporate Innovation). Government agencies and policymakers can use this data for trend analysis, planning, and implementing targeted support measures that truly meet the needs of startups. Having comprehensive and systematic data is therefore a crucial foundation for developing a robustly growing ecosystem.
The Next Step: Focusing on Collaboration, Expanding Opportunities, and Reducing Obstacles
Regarding the future direction of the association, Mr. Thanawit Tonkanya concluded with plans: “The association will focus on building collaborations with domestic and international partners to expand business opportunities for its members, while also pushing for policies that will reduce obstacles for Thai startups in conducting business, aiming to connect startups with both local and foreign investors.” These plans reflect a commitment to elevate Thai startups to the next level, enabling them to access diverse funding sources and expand effectively into international markets. Building strong collaborative networks will be key to unlocking the potential of Thai startups for exponential growth.
Highlights of Thai Startup Day 2025: A Stage for Knowledge and Inspiration
Thai Startup Day 2025: Pioneer the New Economy is not only a platform to showcase the association’s vision but also a hub of knowledge and experience from experts across various industries. Attendees will hear insights from successful startup founders, investors, and leading industry specialists, including:
- Mr. Prapan Charoenprawatt, Senior Executive Vice President, Head of Issuer Marketing Division, SET; President, Market for Alternative Investment (mai); President, LiVEx (Live Exchange); and Managing Director, Live Fin Corp Co., Ltd.
- Mr. Jakchai Boonyawat, Manager of the Capital Market Development Fund (CMDF)
- Dr. Chinawut Chinaprayoon, Executive Vice President, Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa)
- Mr. Pariwat Wongsamran, Deputy Director (Innovation Ecosystem), National Innovation Agency (Public Organization) (NIA)
- Ms. Paiyada Harnchaisukskul, Fund Manager, Technology and Innovation-Based Enterprise Development Fund (TED Fund)
- Mr. Jirayut Srupsrisopa, Founder & Group CEO, Bitkub Capital Group Holdings Co., Ltd.
- Mr. Yod Chinsupakul, CEO, LINE MAN Wongnai
And many other distinguished speakers will join to provide in-depth understanding on various aspects crucial for startup entrepreneurs. Interesting topics include ‘New Generation of Thai Startup,’ which will paint a picture of the future and the new wave of the industry; ‘Thai Startup to Global,’ offering guidelines and strategies for taking Thai businesses to the world market; and ‘The Way of Unicorn,’ which will decode the success of unicorn-level startups. This content is designed to spark ideas, inspire, and provide essential tools for entrepreneurs and those interested in the startup scene.
The gathering of these high-caliber speakers reflects the strong collaboration of all sectors in the ecosystem. This includes government agencies regulating and promoting the capital market, such as the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), the Market for Alternative Investment (mai), and LiVEx (Live Exchange), which play a crucial role in creating funding channels for growth-stage startups, as well as the Capital Market Development Fund (CMDF), which provides financial support for key startup development projects.
Simultaneously, government agencies directly involved in promoting the digital economy and innovation, such as the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa) and the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization) (NIA), along with the Technology and Innovation-Based Enterprise Development Fund (TED Fund), will share knowledge and support guidelines, which are highly beneficial for entrepreneurs seeking access to resources and government assistance.
Furthermore, hearing firsthand experiences from successful startup founders like Mr. Jirayut Srupsrisopa of Bitkub Capital Group Holdings, a pioneer in Thailand’s digital asset industry, and Mr. Yod Chinsupakul from LINE MAN Wongnai, a leading lifestyle platform, will inspire and provide invaluable lessons to younger startups, especially under the highly anticipated topic ‘The Way of Unicorn,’ which will delve into the journey of building a billion-dollar business.
Honoring Achievements: Awards for Success and Perseverance
The event will also feature a prestigious awards ceremony to honor the success and dedication of Thai startups that have pioneered and positively impacted their industries, including:
- “The Pioneer Legacy Award”: For Thai startups that are pioneers and have achieved outstanding success in their field. This year, five recipients are 2C2P (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Zipevent Co., Ltd., SkillLane Technology PCL, Living Mobile Co., Ltd., and Shippop Co., Ltd. Each of these companies has played a significant role in driving innovation and setting new standards in their respective industries.
- “One Million Club 2025”: Awarded to startups that have surpassed 1,000,000 users this year, reflecting their growth and broad consumer reach.
- “Startup Survivor Club 2025”: An award to honor startups that have demonstrated perseverance, successfully navigated challenges for over 10 years, and continue to grow strongly today.
These awards signify more than just accolades; they create ‘Role Models’ of success for the Thai startup community. ‘The Pioneer Legacy Award’ recognizes those who dare to think, dare to do, and pave the way in new businesses—essential entrepreneurial qualities. The ‘One Million Club 2025’ underscores the importance of user base creation and scalability, which investors seek. The ‘Startup Survivor Club 2025’ highlights resilience and adaptability, crucial factors for long-term business survival and growth. Recognizing success in these various dimensions will help stimulate comprehensive development within the ecosystem.
Challenges and the Path Forward for Thai Startups
Although the overall picture for Thai startups shows growth potential, several challenges need collective solutions. Beyond the volatile global economy, many Thai startups still face difficulties accessing funding in the seed and growth stages, particularly during the ‘Series A Crunch,’ where many struggle to secure further investment. Additionally, the shortage of highly skilled tech talent and the complexity of certain regulations and laws remain obstacles hindering agile growth.
The Thai Startup Trade Association is aware of these issues and has been striving to advocate for policies and measures to help reduce these barriers. Collaborating with the government to improve laws to be more conducive to startup businesses, promoting investment from both domestic and international sources, and developing human capital are key missions the association continuously prioritizes. The Thai Startup Day 2025 event is part of this effort to brainstorm and foster collaboration to overcome these challenges together.
Networking Opportunities and Information Access
In addition to knowledge sharing and the awards ceremony, Thai Startup Day 2025 will offer attendees opportunities to build business networks through networking activities designed to promote discussions, idea exchange, and collaboration among entrepreneurs, investors, and others in the startup ecosystem. This is an excellent chance to expand connections and find new business partners.
For those interested in following news and further details about the Thai Startup Directory project, a key database for the Thai startup scene, as well as other activities of the Thai Startup Trade Association, information can be found on the website https://data.thaistartup.org/ and the Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/thaistartupofficial.
In conclusion, “Thai Startup Day 2025: Pioneer the New Economy” is not only a celebration of the Thai Startup Trade Association’s 11 years of achievements but also a clear signal of its commitment to driving the Thai startup scene forward strongly and sustainably. The convergence of experts, investors, and entrepreneurs at this event is expected to create a significant ripple effect, spark creativity, and open new doors for Thai startups to become the “Pioneers of the New Economy” that will genuinely lead Thailand to prosperity in the digital age.
#ThaiStartupDay2025 #PioneerTheNewEconomy #ThaiStartup #ThaiStartups #NewEconomy #CMDF #Innovation #Ecosystem #Startup #TechStartup
