The National Innovation Agency (Public Organization), or NIA, under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), held its Open House: FoodTech Growth Journey — now in its second year — as part of Thai Kitchen 2026: Crafted FoodTech Accelerator Program, the initiative to lift the Thai food industry onto the global stage. The event was held online via Zoom on 6 March 2026, giving innovation-based food-technology entrepreneurs, both SMEs and startups, a chance to learn about business development pathways, government support, and how to join Thai Kitchen 2026.
Dr. Krichpaka Bunyafueng, Director of the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization), opened the event and invited innovation-based food-technology entrepreneurs to apply. “Supporting food-innovation businesses is one of NIA’s key priorities,” she said. “The government has set out a national strategy for Thailand to become the ‘Kitchen of the World’ and to add value to the Thai food industry. Thai Kitchen was created as a key mechanism for raising the capability of Thai entrepreneurs, so they can use technology and innovation to differentiate themselves and compete sustainably in global markets.”
Dr. Suraat Suphajatturat, NIA Deputy Director for Innovation Finance, then outlined the financial support mechanisms available to drive Thai FoodTech entrepreneurs into global markets, and Khun Montha Kaihiran, Director of Startup Promotion, spoke on the importance of building an innovation ecosystem that supports FoodTech businesses across the entire value chain.
Khun Tienwanan Jomsueb, Innovation Promotion Officer, presented the details of Thai Kitchen 2026 — an accelerator for food-innovation entrepreneurs built around expert mentoring, business-partner matchmaking, and the creation of opportunities for market expansion and access to investment.
The event also featured alumni of last year’s Thai Kitchen cohort sharing their experience in a session titled “Thai Kitchen Growth Journey: How Thai Food-Innovation Entrepreneurs Reach Global Markets,” tracing the paths of founders who have successfully used innovation to grow. The day closed with a Strategic Partners panel on the role every sector plays in co-creating the future of Thai food innovation.
“Thai Kitchen 2026” is therefore a significant opportunity for Thai food-innovation entrepreneurs to grow their businesses by leaps and bounds and compete globally, backed by NIA and its network of partners across the national food industry.
Innovation-based food-technology entrepreneurs interested in joining Thai Kitchen 2026 could apply up to 15 March 2026 at https://forms.gle/Euesuh8cBs31gVsc6 There is no cost to take part in the programme.
For more information, please contact:
Phone: 02-017 5555 ext. 543
Mobile: 094-753-6155
Email: Tienwanan.j@nia.or.th
