Advanced Info Service (AIS), the country's biggest mobile carrier by subscribers, has joined hands with IT powerhouse Microsoft to launch a new programme to support local startups' growth through tech solutions.
The project, called AIS x Microsoft for Startups, will enable startups to build their businesses through the cloud, sell their solutions to connected enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), stay connected with the startup community and gain access to essential digital tools.
Sanjay Andrew Thomas, chief information officer at AIS, said the move was meant to help startups play a part in restoring the country's economy. They will be able to gain access to tech resources and solutions under the programme.
The participating startups retain ownership of their intellectual property and customer databases.
According to Mr Thomas, Thailand is still a key destination for startup development due to its strategic location, large market and low costs.
Thailand was ranked 38th out of 140 countries in the competitiveness index and the third in Asean, according to World Economic Forum 2019.
Mr Thomas said some 92% of startups normally falter. In terms of the cause of failure, no actual market for them ranks first at 42%, followed by running out of cash at 29%, not the right team at 23%, and poor tech infrastructure at 6%.
Citing market analysis company CB Insights, he said 70% of startups fail within 20 months of their first financing and another 20% fail within one year.
Fewer than one in 10,000 can become unicorn startups. A unicorn is a startup valued at more than US$1 billion (around 33 billion baht).
Mr Thomas indicated that AIS has a clear determination to work with startups from the beginning.
"It has been proven that ideas from startups are another important key to innovating new services," he said.
Dhanawat Suthumpun, managing director of Microsoft Thailand, said participating startups will receive support in the form of technological resources and access to technologies and customers.
Firstly, startups can create business through Microsoft Azure cloud computing services and connect with the 5G fibre optic network from AIS.
Second, they can connect to AIS' and Microsoft's hundreds of sellers and partners. Startups can seek opportunities to sell solutions to various enterprises.
Third, they can gain access to tools for further development in any language.
Lastly, they can connect to the Thai startup community to share and learn ideas from others.
Through the programme, startups can use Azure for developing products, which opens up opportunities with open-source technology, with support for every language and any kind of work scope, Mr Dhanawat said.