Thailand gets first foodtech startup accelerator
Thailand, known for its delicious food and diverse restaurant scene, has been chosen by US-based workspace and startup service provider WeWork as a destination for a foodtech startup accelerator.
WeWork said it – through its startup unit WeWork Labs – entered a partnership with Thailand’s National Innovation Agency, food conglomerate Thai Union Group and Mahidol University’s science faculty to launch the “SPACE-F programme” which aims to build a sustainable ecosystem to nurture foodtech startups in Thailand, a first for the country.
SPACE-F will provide services for startups and seeks to empower the next wave of innovation in foodtech. There are two tracks to the programme: an incubator track for initial stage startups and an accelerator track for growth stage startups, both for Thai and non-Thai nationals, and it is accepting applications from now until July 31, 2019 here.
The foodtech programme focuses on the following areas: health and wellness food, alternative proteins, smart manufacturing, packaging solutions, novel food and ingredients, biomaterials and chemicals, restaurant tech, food safety and quality, as well as smart food services.
The programme will run for up to 15 months for the incubator track and three to eight months for the accelerator tracks. Its non-equity model allows founders to have full ownership of their intellectual property and their developed products.
Space-F will be located at Mahidol University’s faculty of science in Bangkok’s Rachathewi district. It will give participating startups access to a lab as well as high-tech machinery and instrumentation. WeWork Labs will also connect them with local and international mentors. Participants will also have opportunities to meet with investors, including Thai Union Group and other venture capital firms, and to cooperate with Thailand’s numerous food manufacturers
“The time is ripe for foodtech advancements, and along with the perfect partners for this programme, we are excited to select Thailand as the first stop to launch our partnered Food Labs programme and help bring to life some of today’s brightest ideas right here in Thailand,” said Adrian Tan, Head of Southeast Asia for WeWork Labs.
Pun-Arj Chairatana, executive director of Thailand’s National Innovation Agency, added that the agency’s aim wasto “create greater platforms for nurturing deep tech startups in the food industry.”
“We are delighted to partner with WeWork and leverage its food labs platforms to further accelerate startups to grow beyond Thailand seamlessly. Together with our strength in innovation, this will help foster new initiatives leading to a better quality of life, improved global food security and innovative job creation, as well as showcasing Thailand’s ability to compete on the global stage,” he added.
Startups in the SPACE-F programme can also apply for Thailand’s new Smart Visa which was recently introduced by the Thai government and provides numerous privileges and incentives to help attract skilled manpower.
Thailand, known for its delicious food and diverse restaurant scene, has been chosen by US-based workspace and startup service provider WeWork as a destination for a foodtech startup accelerator. WeWork said it – through its startup unit WeWork Labs – entered a partnership with Thailand’s National Innovation Agency, food conglomerate Thai Union Group and Mahidol University’s science faculty to launch the “SPACE-F programme” which aims to build a sustainable ecosystem to nurture foodtech startups in Thailand, a first for the country. SPACE-F will provide services for startups and seeks to empower the next wave of innovation in foodtech. There are...
Thailand, known for its delicious food and diverse restaurant scene, has been chosen by US-based workspace and startup service provider WeWork as a destination for a foodtech startup accelerator.
WeWork said it – through its startup unit WeWork Labs – entered a partnership with Thailand’s National Innovation Agency, food conglomerate Thai Union Group and Mahidol University’s science faculty to launch the “SPACE-F programme” which aims to build a sustainable ecosystem to nurture foodtech startups in Thailand, a first for the country.
SPACE-F will provide services for startups and seeks to empower the next wave of innovation in foodtech. There are two tracks to the programme: an incubator track for initial stage startups and an accelerator track for growth stage startups, both for Thai and non-Thai nationals, and it is accepting applications from now until July 31, 2019 here.
The foodtech programme focuses on the following areas: health and wellness food, alternative proteins, smart manufacturing, packaging solutions, novel food and ingredients, biomaterials and chemicals, restaurant tech, food safety and quality, as well as smart food services.
The programme will run for up to 15 months for the incubator track and three to eight months for the accelerator tracks. Its non-equity model allows founders to have full ownership of their intellectual property and their developed products.
Space-F will be located at Mahidol University’s faculty of science in Bangkok’s Rachathewi district. It will give participating startups access to a lab as well as high-tech machinery and instrumentation. WeWork Labs will also connect them with local and international mentors. Participants will also have opportunities to meet with investors, including Thai Union Group and other venture capital firms, and to cooperate with Thailand’s numerous food manufacturers
“The time is ripe for foodtech advancements, and along with the perfect partners for this programme, we are excited to select Thailand as the first stop to launch our partnered Food Labs programme and help bring to life some of today’s brightest ideas right here in Thailand,” said Adrian Tan, Head of Southeast Asia for WeWork Labs.
Pun-Arj Chairatana, executive director of Thailand’s National Innovation Agency, added that the agency’s aim wasto “create greater platforms for nurturing deep tech startups in the food industry.”
“We are delighted to partner with WeWork and leverage its food labs platforms to further accelerate startups to grow beyond Thailand seamlessly. Together with our strength in innovation, this will help foster new initiatives leading to a better quality of life, improved global food security and innovative job creation, as well as showcasing Thailand’s ability to compete on the global stage,” he added.
Startups in the SPACE-F programme can also apply for Thailand’s new Smart Visa which was recently introduced by the Thai government and provides numerous privileges and incentives to help attract skilled manpower.
