The Bangkok Business Challenge, the longest-running startup competition for aspiring future entrepreneurs, is gearing up for another year, with Sasin School of Management hosting the event and SCG Chemicals (SCGC), a leading innovator in chemical solutions, as its titled sponsor. This year's concept is "Growing Impactful Ventures," aiming to drive businesses forward sustainably. The competition is open to undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students from all disciplines and universities, nationally and globally, who possess the entrepreneurial skills, creativity, and innovative thinking to scale their ventures from inception to practical business implementation. The event will take place from June 20-22, 2024, at Sasin School of Management, as part of the Sasin Impact Entrepreneurship Week 2024 (SasinIEW).
“The Bangkok Business Challenge acts as a springboard for aspiring entrepreneurs to take on global issues for a more sustainable tomorrow,” said Dibyendu Bose, Deputy Director of Strategy, Impact & Innovation at Sasin.
As a leader in the petrochemical industry committed to sustainability, SCGC has been the title sponsor of BBC for over nine years.
“This year marks the 9th year that SCGC has partnered with Sasin to develop Thai startups to scale globally. This partnership not only promotes a global startup ecosystem but also enhances the capabilities of young entrepreneurs in developing businesses with a positive impact, driving meaningful change, and creating a sustainable future for all. Particularly, it emphasises using green innovations and solutions to create businesses that contribute to a low-carbon society,” said Niwat Athiwattananont, Technology & Product Development Director of SCGC, “SCGC is committed to creating chemical innovations to enhance the quality of life, addressing megatrends by developing eco-friendly plastic innovations in line with Circular Economy principles under the SCGC GREEN POLYMER™ brand. We offer green solutions based on the Low Waste, Low Carbon approach to tangibly achieve sustainability goals and move towards a low-carbon society. In addition to driving sustainable business, SCGC recognises that promoting and supporting university-level startup entrepreneurs through the Bangkok Business Challenge is another way to foster widespread sustainable business practices.”
BBC has seen a total of 276 teams from around the world applying to participate, a 60% increase from the previous year. These teams come from 62 higher education institutions across 19 countries, spanning five continents. A total of 20 teams have advanced to the semifinals. The competition's evaluation criteria place over 20% emphasis on sustainability and positive impact. Esteemed judges from various business sectors, including Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Chairperson of Toshiba Thailand Co., Ltd., will be selecting the best teams. The top teams will receive the prestigious HM The King’s Award and the HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s Sustainability Award. Additionally, winning teams will receive cash prizes totalling over 42,000 USD (approximately 1,500,000 THB).
The 20 teams advancing to the semi-finals are:
- Mantra Kombucha from Nong Lam University - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- SeaNergy from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh
- Kairos from Putra Business School, Malaysia
- ProPika from University of Arkansas, United States
- Cardicare from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh
- Boo from Universitas Prasetiya Mulya, Indonesia
- Karobar App from Itahari International College, Nepal
- OxyJet from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh
- MetaCycler Bioinnovations from University of Waterloo, Canada
- Ne.Sense from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan
- CARSUP from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
- MediFind from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Vietnam
- Akar from Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia
- Allegrow from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong
- Thaniie Wise Wishlor from Mahidol University, Thailand
- JT Space from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong
- Oli from Asian Institute of Management, Philippines
- KaseChar from Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand
- XOBIFY from Khon Kaen University, Thailand
- Wicked XR from Queensland University of Technology, Australia
For those interested, further updates can be found at https://bbc.sasin.edu/2024, and you can show your support for the Thai representative teams through live streaming on Facebook: Bangkok Business Challenge http://www.facebook.com/bangkokbusinesschallenge.