THAILAND
and entrepreneurs in Thailand
TECH PLANTER in Thailand 2026
Discovering and nurturing Deep Tech seedsand entrepreneurs in Thailand
ABOUT
- Purpose
- At universities, research institutes, and corporate laboratories, the "seeds" of science and technology are being born, and it takes a lot of time and effort before they sprout into practical applications. The "TECH PLANTER" organized by Leave a Nest with its partner companies is an ecosystem that aims to discover these seeds and serve as a planter to turn them into businesses. Our program in Thailand aimed at discovering and nurturing Deep Tech seeds and entrepreneurs.
- Target
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- Early stage startups and pre-startup researchers’ teams or individuals in Tech fields aiming to solve societal problems.
- Mature startups or SMEs seeking collaborators are also welcome, even if they are close to mass production or PMF establishment.
- Visionaries that aim to change the world and/or their own country to a better place based on the science and tech based seeds.
- Those who are interested in the Japanese market or collaboration with Japanese corporations.
- Categories of the TECH
- Manufacturing, robotics, IoT, AI, agri-tech, bio-tech, healthcare, med-tech, food-tech, care-tech, marine-tech, ecotech, and etc.
- Application Period
- 2025/12/1(Mon)-2026/5/8(Fri)
- Judging Criteria
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A panel of judges consisting of Leave a Nest and its partners will evaluate each of the following items.
- 01NOVELTY
- 02PRACTICABILITY
- 03IMPACT TO THE WORLD
- 04PASSION
- Awards
- Grand Winner: 50,000 THB & Invitation to Present at TECH PLANTER Asia Final 2026.
Leave a Nest Award: Invitation to Present at TECH PLANTER Asia Final 2026.
Corporate Awards: 30,000 THB (Multiple Awards)
SCHEDULE
- 12/1[MON]
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Entry open
Please register from here and fill out the web form to apply.
We also hold information sessions at each university and on an individual to encourage your full registration to tell you how to prepare documents. Please feel free to contact us for more information.
- 5/8[FRI]
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Application deadline & 1st selection
After our closing the application window, a panel of judges consisting of Leave a Nest and its partners will review the applications.
Applicants will be asked to submit information about their team, technology, passion, and future vision via web form.
All applicants will be notified of the results of the screening process and will receive feedback on their applications.
In addition, online individual interviews will be held for those who wish to participate in the presentation review.
- 6/19[FRI]
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Announcement of finalists
Selected Finalists will be announced in the middle of Jun.
For applicants who pass the selection, mentoring will be held to brush up their presentations for the final DEMO DAY.
In addition, it is possible to set up interviews with partner companies for the purpose of business consultation and to develop collaboration projects.
- 7/18[SAT]
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TECH PLAN DEMO DAY in Thailand
The 9 finalist teams that passed our selection will be judged on their presentations.
- 8/1[SAT]
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Supporting Period
Even after the DEMO DAY, the contact point between teams and Leave a Nest remains open, allowing discussions to develop their business.
We are responding to a wide range of start-up issues, from incorporation to prototype development, financing, and R&D.
In addition, collaboration between teams and partner companies is becoming more popular in this period to support business development.
PARTNER
Global Partners
Local Partners
Strategic Partners
ASSET
- ASSET01Leave a Nest Communicator
- ASSET02Japanese Partner Companies
- ASSET03Local Partners
- ASSET04Super Factory Group
SUPPORT
- SUPPORT01Organizing the vision your business
- SUPPORT02Brushing up your presentation
- SUPPORT03Opportunities for collaboration with Japanese corporates
- SUPPORT04Support for R&D and prototype development
- SUPPORT05Support for Knowledge and IP Strategies
- SUPPORT06Investment and support for finance
DEMO DAY
- Name of the DEMO DAY
- TECH PLANTER in Thailand 2026
- Place
- Chulalongkorn University, 10th Floor, Chaloem Rajakumari 60 Building 254 Phayathai Road, Pathumwan Bangkok 10330 Thailand
- Date & Time
- 2026/7/18 (Sat)13:00-18:00 in Thailand Time
- Application Period
- 2025/12/1(Mon)-2026/5/8(Fri)
- Eligible Participants
- Deep tech start ups and University researchers
- Organizer
- Leave a Nest Singapore
- Timeline
@Thailand Time -
- 13:00～13:30
- Opening Ceremony
- 13:30～16:20
- Finalist Presentations
- 16:20～17:30
- Judging, Lightning talks & Poster presentation
- 17:30～18:00
- Awards & Closing
JUDGE
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Chief judge Education Research Institute Head, Leave a Nest Co., Ltd.Dr. Kihoko Tokue
- Raised across five countries, she earned a Ph.D. in ecology and joined Leave a Nest in 2011. After launching the International Development Division, she led global expansion efforts, establishing Leave a Nest Malaysia in 2013 and becoming its Managing Director. She joined the ASEAN Young Leaders Summit in 2015 and became Managing Director of Leave a Nest Singapore in 2016. In 2019, she signed an MoU with Enterprise Singapore to support startups. She leads the TECH PLANTER program in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, and actively fosters international collaboration through bilingual communication, holding a Grade A in the UN English Proficiency Test.
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Chief judge
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Faculty at the School of Management (SOM), Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)Dr. Dieter Trau
- Prof Trau holds an engineering degree (Dipl. Ing. FH) from the Aachen University of Applied Science, Germany, 1994 in Chemical and Bioengineering and a PhD from the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST) 2001 in Chemistry. From 1994 to 1998 he worked as a Research Engineer at the Institute of Bio- and Chemical Sensors in Müenster, Germany. At that time he also started his entrepreneurial activities with the foundation of the biotechnology companies Xantec (1995), 8sens biognostic (2000) in Germany, AYOXXA Pte Ltd (2010), Tip Biosystems Pte Ltd (2014) and E3A Healthcare Pte Ltd (2019) in Singapore. He became a cofounder of AVECRIS Pte Ltd in Singapore in 2018. He was a Research Fellow, Assistant Lecturer/Assistant Professor at HKUST from 2001 to 2004. In 2004 he joined the Division of Bioengineering and the Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS) as an Assistant Professor. He was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2013. In July 2019 he was hired as the Dean of Engineering by the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) as a full Professor and also took over the role of the Founding Director of the AIT Entrepreneurship Center. In June 2023 he completed his 4-year tenure as Dean and continues as a full Professor at the Department of Industrial Systems Engineering (ISE) teaching medical engineering and bio-nanotechnology. Today, he is a Faculty at the School of Management (SOM) at AIT teaching entrepreneurship and holds several Director Positions in his startup companies.
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Vice Dean for Research Affairs and Innovation, Kasetsart UniversityProf. Dr. Siripon Anantawaraskul
- Prof. Dr. Siripon Anantawaraskul is a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Kasetsart University, Thailand. He obtained his Ph.D. and M.Eng. in Chemical Engineering from McGill University, Canada, and specializes in polymer reaction engineering, polyolefin structure characterization, process modeling, and AI applications in polymer engineering. His research integrates advanced computational modeling, machine learning, and chemical engineering to develop next-generation polymer materials and manufacturing processes. With nearly 60 publications in leading international journals, Prof. Siripon has established himself as a leading expert in polymer science and engineering, actively bridging academic research with industrial innovation and advanced manufacturing.
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Executive Director, NIADr. Krithpaka Boonfueng
- Dr. Krithpaka Boonfueng is the Executive Director of the National Innovation Agency (NIA), Thailand. She is a visionary leader in shaping the national innovation ecosystem, driving strategic initiatives that empower deep-tech startups and foster public-private collaborations to accelerate the country's innovation-driven economy.
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Venture Partner, Vectors CapitalDr. Wanwipa (Jeab) S.
- Dr. Wanwipa is a seasoned ClimateTech investor and sustainability champion. With a strong background in science with a BS from MIT and a PhD. from Princeton and a passion for innovation, she has successfully bridged the gap between research and real-world impact. Her academic career includes leading bio- and chemical technology studies, resulting in publications in leading journals and receipt of Mitsui Chemicals Award (TECH PLANTER Thailand 2019). She honed her skills in corporate innovation at RISE, fostering entrepreneurship and leading technology incubation programs. Currently at Vectors Capital, Dr. Wanwipa manages the entire investment process for ClimateTech startups (Pre-Seed to Series A). Her focus areas encompass renewables, storage, hydrogen, EV infrastructure, CCUS, and sustainable fuels.
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Managing Director. VISUP Company LimitedDr. Apiwat Thongprasert
- Dr. Apiwat Thongprasert is the Managing Director of VISUP, specializing in microchip design, RFID, IoT, and IP strategy. With extensive experience in high-tech B2B and international business, he drives the commercialization of deep-tech research into global markets.
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Manager, Japan Tobacco Inc.Mr. Kosei Konno
- Charles Konno is a serial entrepreneur born in Beijing and raised in Los Angeles. He graduated from Peking University and Waseda University before joining Japan Tobacco (JT), where he worked in finance and international M&A. He currently leads venture building, new business development, and fund management in the wellness and food & beverage sectors. With extensive experience across the U.S., ASEAN, China, the Middle East, and East Africa, he specializes in innovation and cross-border business development. He is fluent in Japanese, English, and Chinese.
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Senior Technology Strategist, Soken Chemical & Engineering Co., Ltd.Mr. Akihiro ISUMI
- Soken Group is a research-driven polymer manufacturer, specializing in a wide range of technologies from plant design to polymer development, including adhesives, particulates, coatings, and biomass materials. They actively seek collaboration opportunities such as technical partnerships and investments to leverage their diverse manufacturing technologies.
Mr. Akihiro ISUMI, a Senior Technology Strategist, has extensive experience in material development for regenerative medicine within the pharmaceutical industry. He primarily focuses on biotechnology, medical, and materials development. Additionally, drawing from his experience as the General Manager directing international business at a medical device venture, he explores startups with scalable business models.
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Regional R&D Director, Ezaki Glico Co. Ltd.Mr. Norio Asahara
- Glico manufactures not only confectionery and ice cream, but also a wide range of food categories such as beverages, dairy products, processed foods and baby milk powder. Mr. ASAHARA is the director of research and development in Glico Asia Pacific. He is looking for new research partners as well as technical support, investment and opportunities for various collaborations such as buying of new ingredients. He is responsible for new business in Asia Pacific.
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Senior Research Engineer, Taisei CorporationDr. Claudia Fujita
- Claudia was born in Germany and studied Water Management with a specialization in groundwater management. A study-abroad experience in Japan inspired her to pursue a career there and challenge herself in a new environment. Since joining Taisei Corporation, she has worked on a wide range of environmental, energy, and underground construction technologies, gaining experience in both research and construction. Passionate about connecting Japan’s technological strengths with global innovation, she is now based at Taisei’s Innovation Hub in Singapore, building bridges between Japan and Southeast Asia through technology, innovation, and collaboration.
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Growth Manager, UntroD Asia Capital / Assistant Manager, Iwatani SingaporeMr. Junki Ishii
- Junki joined Iwatani Singapore in 2020, where he engaged in the trading of inorganic chemical raw materials such as rare earths. He currently serves as an Assistant Manager at the company and is seconded to UntroD Asia Capital as a Growth Manager. He is currently focusing on new business development through collaboration and investment with startups. Leveraging his deep expertise in chemistry, he is dedicated to evaluating technological potentials and driving open innovation. He holds a Master's degree in Chemistry from the Graduate School of Tokyo University of Science, where he conducted research on photocatalysts.
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FINALIST
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- Nano Coating Tech Co., Ltd.
Theme:
Nano Coating Technology for improving performance and reduce maintenace costs. -
- Plasma Innovation Co., Ltd.
Theme:
Plasma-Activated Liquids (PAL) for Microbial Reduction and Low-Chemical Processing -
- CHOSEN Digital Co., Ltd.
Theme:
EV Energy Aggregator and Virtual Power Plant -
- LALAMAI
Theme:
Smart Biodegradable adult diaper with integrated UTI early-screening for aging societies. -
- Terra Agritech
Theme:
Water Hyacinth Biochar-Bacterial Cellulose Agricultural Substrate for Nutrient Retention -
- KS: Clean & Sustain
Theme:
Utilization of waste for biodegradable biosurfactants and eco-friendly textile processing -
- Chula Food Tech
Theme:
Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE) combined with Spray-Drying Microencapsulation -
- GlycoSphere
Theme:
Recyclable PcGH5 platform. Converts underused bagasse to prebiotic oligosaccharides. -
- Hillkoff Co., Ltd
Theme:
Coffogenic™ Bioactive Coffee Fruit Extract Technology
LIGHTNING TALK
| Team | Theme | Representative |
|---|---|---|
| BioSmart Materials and Technology (BMT) | Biosmart Soil Amendment for Saline Agriculture and Sustainable Crop Production | Dr. Thidarat Boonsri |
| Noble Dent Tech | Self-cleaning dental mirror preventing fogging, splashing, and contamination. | Peerawas Akrawanichcha |
| Oxygenity | Automated Used Cooking Oil Collection for SAF Feedstock Supply Chain | Sakol Sachdev |
| Smart Leak Detection Lab | Data-Driven Hydraulic Modeling System for Water Leak Detection and Localization in Pipe Networks | Dr. Jiramate Changklom |
| The Knowledge+ | Sustainable vulcanized insulation membranes for energy-efficient buildings. | Napat Paraphat |
| Zuppar Reborn | PiSticka, biodegradable fruit stickers from agricultural waste replacing plastic produce labels. | Thaweechai Amornsakchai |
NEWS
2026/07/17
TECH PLANTER Thailand 2026 Demo Day is Happening this Saturday!
- English News
- Thailand
2026/07/13
TECH PLANTER Thailand 2026 Announces Distinguished Judges and Ecosystem Partners
- Thailand
2026/07/10
Announcement of Finalists and Lightning Talk Speakers for TECH PLANTER Thailand 2026
- Thailand
2025/12/11
Tech Venture Meetup Thailand Successfully Concludes for activities in Thailand for 2025! Leave a Nest will be in Thailand for 2026! Join the Thai ecosystem today!
- TECH VENTURE MEETUP
- Thailand
- ニュース