The National Innovation Agency (Public Organization), in collaboration with Thai Union Group Public Company Limited, Mahidol University, Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, Deloitte Thailand, and LOTTE Fine Chemical brought 8 startups who have joined the Accelerator Program under the SPACE-F FoodTech Incubator and Accelerator Program Batch 4 to present their innovations at the SPACE-F Batch 4 Accelerator Demo Day, which was held as part of the Startup x Innovation Thailand Expo 2023 (SITE2023) at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.
The Accelerator Program under SPACE-F Batch 4 was a four-month startup acceleration program that focused on creating business opportunities and driving innovation in collaboration with SPACE-F’s corporate partners. The program aimed to foster collaboration and advance innovation in Thailand’s food industry. For this year, eight groundbreaking startups successfully completed the program. The Demo Day provided an opportunity for these 8 startups to showcase their solutions and successes, and to connect with new potential clients, partners, and investors.
Dr. Pun-Arj Chairatana, Director of the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization), delivered an opening remark to highlight the expansion of SPACE-F program to become a formidable platform that empowers FoodTech startups, fosters ecosystem-wide collaboration, and positions Thailand as a regional FoodTech hub. “The showcasing of 8 startups from our SPACE-F Batch 4 Accelerator Program demonstrates how their cutting-edge technologies address urgent global problems and reshape the future of the food industry. The achievements of these startups are a testament to the limitless potential that lies within the FoodTech sector,” Dr. Pun-Arj Chairatana said.
Dr. Tunyawat Kasemsuwan, Group Director, Global Innovation, Thai Union Group Public Company Limited discussed the role of Thai Union in supporting SPACE-F startups as one of the founding members and one of the key corporate partners in SPACE-F. “SPACE-F was established to build a collaborative FoodTech ecosystem. Thai Union continues to support SPACE-F alumni by connecting them with their international network. Through the ever-growing network, SPACE-F alumni gain access to new investors, partners, and opportunities to expand globally.
The startups presenting at the Demo Day were hand selected by the corporate partners to conduct proof-of-concept trials to address specific problem statements. Thai Union also had this privilege to work with the selected Accelerator startups to great success, and we expect that the collaboration will extend beyond the program.”
Ms. Tongjai Thanachanan, Executive Vice President and Chief Sustainability and Strategy, Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, another key corporate partner of SPACE-F program throughout the past 3 years, added that this group of startups showcases remarkable breadth of the global talents. The diversity of the startups spans across a wide spectrum of food and beverage sectors. They have given us the confidence that SPACE-F will emerge as a prominent innovation platform to propel Thailand to become a global hub for sustainable food and beverage innovation.
Get to know SPACE-F Batch 4’s 8 Accelerator startups:
- AlgaHealth (Israel): Developer of novel proprietary microalgae strains and innovative patent-protected solutions for stable and sustainable manufacture of Fucoxanthin.
- AmbrosiaBio (Israel): Proprietary, disruptive enzyme technology platform designed to convert high-calorie, obesity-promoting sugars into both rare, practically no-calorie sugars.
- Lypid (USA): Pioneering alternative vegan fat to make alternative protein as good as original meat.
- MOA (Spain): Produce a sustainable food by transforming by-products, through a fermentation process using microorganisms.
- Pullulo (Singapore): Alternative plant-based protein using microbial protein using upcycled fruits and vegetables.
- Seadling (Malaysia): Natural plant-based supplements for healthier pets made from fermented seaweed.
- TeOra (Singapore): Proprietary technology platforms for natural, sustainable solutions to prevent disease and promote growth in aquaculture using precision fermentation.
- The Leaf Protein Co. (Australia): Producer of high quality and sustainable plant-based protein ingredients from plant leaves.
All 8 startups participating in the SPACE-F Batch 4 Accelerator Program were excited to be a part of the program, particularly in joining the Demo Day, and being able to meet and connect with key stakeholders and top talents in the ecosystem. The program was a great opportunity for the startups to collaborate with SPACE-F’s corporate partners and explore new business, partnership, and investment opportunities in the Thailand market.
After the pitching session, Prof. Banchong Mahaisavariya M.D., President of Mahidol University gave a closing remark expressing his pleasure in getting to become a part of the successful SPACE-F Batch 4 Accelerator Demo Day and seeing a large number of audiences throughout the pitching session. “Mahidol University commits in providing research facilities and equipment, together with experts in varieties of areas, that would be readily available to support and facilitate the future generation of SPACE-F FoodTech Entrepreneurs. The Faculty of Science and The Institute for Technology and Innovation Management, under Mahidol University, put great effort and dedication to accomplish these innovation-driving goals under SPACE-F’s vision and mission in order to help promote the SPACE-F startups and create “Food-Tech Startup Ecosystem” in Thai universities and our country.”
Mr. Jae-ho Lee, Team Leader, Food and Pharma Development Team from LOTTE Fine Chemical, SPACE-F’s newest corporate partner, also added that, “Through SPACE-F program, LOTTE has been discussing on the investment and cooperation with the companies from SPACE-F Batch 3. LOTTE plans to continue to invest and share LOTTE’s know-hows with the startups. We are building a foundation for children, humanity, and beautiful Earth. Let’s start a journey to create another new success together.”
With the participation of more than 200 innovators, including executives and employees from both public and private sectors, investors, and business owners from Thailand and abroad, SPACE-F Batch 4 Accelerator Demo Day was yet another great success for SPACE-F and an important progression for the food and startup ecosystem in Thailand.
