385 Teams Compete in Bangkok's Sustainable Startup Challenge

Young innovators from four continents are gathering in Bangkok to prove that doing good and doing business can go hand in hand.

Sasin School of Management and SCG Chemicals launched the Bangkok Business Challenge 2026, drawing 385 student teams from 83 universities worldwide. The global competition challenges students to create sustainable, innovation-driven startups that tackle real-world problems. Nearly half of the participating schools are joining for the first time, showing growing international interest in impact entrepreneurship.

The stakes are significant. Winners will share a prize pool of $42,900, with top honors including H.M. The King of Thailand's Award and the Sustainability Award. But the real prize might be the connections students make with accomplished entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders who serve as judges and mentors.

Twenty finalist teams have advanced to the semi-finals with solutions ranging from medical technology to green innovation. Teams from Vietnam, Italy, Bangladesh, China, and the United States are competing alongside regional neighbors. Their ventures tackle challenges in energy, healthcare, food security, and the circular economy.

"We equip people with the leadership skills, the entrepreneurial mindset, and the insight to develop solutions for tomorrow's world," said Associate Professor Dr. Piyachart Phiromswad, Deputy Director for Learning Solutions at Sasin. The competition encourages students to believe change is possible and gives them a platform to launch world-changing innovations.

SCG Chemicals has supported the challenge for over a decade, viewing it as more than just a business plan contest. "This competition is a space that empowers the next generation of innovators from around the world to transform ideas into solutions that create tangible, positive impact," said Dr. Suracha Udomsak, Chief Operations and Innovation Officer at SCGC.

The Ripple Effect

The competition's impact extends far beyond the prize money. Partnerships with Kasikorn Bank, Boon Rawd Brewery, and other major organizations provide students with real-world expertise and resources to transform promising concepts into scalable ventures. These connections help bridge the gap between classroom innovation and market reality.

Previous competitions have launched successful startups that continue operating today, creating jobs and solving problems in their communities. This year's focus on energy solutions, green innovation, and circular economy aligns with urgent global needs.

The semifinal teams represent the breadth of student innovation, from MedVision XR's healthcare technology in Taiwan to Mycora Biotech's sustainable solutions in Malaysia. Each team brings fresh perspectives shaped by their local challenges and global ambitions.

Tomorrow's business leaders are proving that sustainability and profitability aren't competing goals.