Bangkok – 10 September 2026. The National Innovation Agency (Public Organization), or NIA, under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), together with Kasetsart University, is stepping up support for Thailand’s innovation-driven food-technology entrepreneurs through Thai Kitchen 2026: Crafted FoodTech Accelerator Program. The accelerator helps food-innovation companies use technology and innovation to grow their businesses, develop products and services that meet market demand, and connect with knowledge, networks and business opportunities. It is another key step in building on Thailand’s strength as the “Kitchen of the World” to become a “Future Food Innovation Hub”. Agriculture and agro-industry play a major role in the Thai economy, with combined exports of more than 1.7 trillion baht, which makes bringing technology and innovation into the food business a vital lever for adding value and strengthening the country’s competitiveness.
Dr. Krichpaka Boonfueang, Executive Director of the National Innovation Agency, said: “The heart of developing innovation-driven entrepreneurs is not just having a good product or technology — it is the ability to turn innovation into something the market needs and to create real business opportunities. Thai Kitchen therefore aims to take entrepreneurs beyond product development into understanding the market and proving customer demand, or Market Validation, building the right business model, and preparing for the next stage of growth — so that Thai food innovation is not only competitive, but can expand and grow sustainably in international markets.”
One of the goals of Thai Kitchen 2026 is to create tangible change for entrepreneurs. Demo Day is the stage that showcases the Transformation Journey of all 12 companies — from the problems and challenges they faced before joining the programme, through learning, experimentation and business development, to real, scalable change: upgraded products, a clearer understanding of market needs, sharper strategies and business models, and readiness for future growth. The companies also presented their goals, business opportunities and post-programme plans, connecting them with partner networks and business collaborations as well as funding and innovation-support mechanisms that can speed up getting their innovations to market and scaling their businesses.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Srijitra Charoenlarpnopparut, Vice President for Innovation and Academic Services, Kasetsart University, added: “Thai Kitchen 2026 aims to build a new generation of food entrepreneurs who do not just make quality food, but use Food Technology and Innovation as tools to differentiate and add value to their businesses, while developing the capability to understand and respond to fast-changing consumer needs. This programme is more than a place to learn — it connects food knowledge, technology and expertise with the world of business, helping turn ‘innovation potential’ into ‘business opportunity’ and laying the foundation for Thai entrepreneurs to grow strong, competitive businesses and reach global markets sustainably.”
Thai Kitchen Demo Day was held at IMPACT Culinova, one of the partners helping to develop and drive the food-innovation district. The event gave the 12 food-innovation companies incubated by Thai Kitchen 2026 a stage to present their capabilities and business progress to experts, investors, the private sector and food-industry stakeholders, under the theme “Crafting the Future of Food: Turning Innovation into Market Success”.
The event also featured a special activity, “Signature Dishes Created by Expert Chefs from the Entrepreneurs’ Products”, showing how food innovations move from concept and product to real-world use through creative menus. Guests could taste and see the many ways the products can be taken further, in a new experience that brings innovation, flavour and business opportunity together.
Another highlight of Thai Kitchen Demo Day was the awards ceremony honouring entrepreneurs with outstanding results throughout the programme, reflecting the potential, commitment and progress built through Thai Kitchen 2026: Crafted FoodTech Accelerator Program. Three awards were presented:
- Popular Vote Award — for the company that received the most votes from guests, recognising the interest, acceptance and impression it created through its presentation and innovation: Kinsen 2019 (Thailand) Co., Ltd. — Kinsen: flourless chicken-breast noodles
- Best Engagement Award — for companies that showed outstanding, consistent commitment and participation in programme activities, as assessed by the NIA and Kasetsart University teams: O&P Quality Trade Co., Ltd. — Nutriflow: meal-replacement and weight-management products; and Baan Muen Pee Co., Ltd. — Baan Muen Pee: calcium-fortified crispy fish sticks
- Best Performance Award — for the company with outstanding business results and progress, clearly applying the programme’s knowledge and experience to its business, judged on performance throughout the programme together with the Demo Day judging panel: Chim Thai Co., Ltd. — MAKVAN: Thai sauce made with makwaen pepper powder
These awards also encourage Thai food-innovation entrepreneurs to keep developing their capabilities and businesses on the way to future growth and success. Eight more companies presented under three main groups:
Modern Heirloom: Thai regional food in a contemporary form, linking local identity with innovation
- Thung Kula Inter Trade Limited Partnership — KULABEEF: ready-to-eat Thai Wagyu larb from Thung Kula Rong Hai, with beef fermented using jasmine-rice koji
- Thanyatouch Inter Trade Co., Ltd. — Kreungton: ready-made holy-basil sauce that keeps the traditional flavour
High-Value Thai Food & Fruits: adding value to Thai food and fruit through advanced technology and processing
- Sakon Nakhon Sang Suk Co., Ltd. — Bienvica: sparkling rose and cactus drink
- Lemon Me Farm Co., Ltd. — LEMON ME: lime-peel rolls made with a bitterness-reduction technique
- Makkham Co., Ltd. — Raisiriwat: mixed-fruit sheets
- Sinar Brew Co., Ltd. — Sinar Brew: pineapple vinegar made with a single-step co-fermentation process
- K2N Marketing Solutions Co., Ltd. — Early Me: ready-to-mix soy milk powder
Future Food: health food, alternative food, smart food systems and future production
- Silver Bear Co., Ltd. — Telarde: plant-based fish sauce
Thai Kitchen 2026: Crafted FoodTech Accelerator Program is a collaboration between the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization) and Kasetsart University to build an ecosystem where Thai food-innovation entrepreneurs can grow to their full potential by connecting knowledge, technology, innovation, markets and business networks — turning entrepreneurs’ ideas and potential into tangible business opportunities, moving from having ‘good innovation’ to having ‘a business that truly grows’, and strengthening competitiveness in international markets. “The future of Thai food is not measured by creating new products, but by making innovation meet market needs, create value and grow for real,” Dr. Krichpaka concluded.
For more information, contact:
– National Innovation Agency (Public Organization): Khun Thianwanan Jomsueb, Tel: 02-017 5555 ext. 213, 094-753 6155, Website: https://thaikitchen.nia.or.th/
– Kasetsart University: Dr. Arisara Thongpet, Tel: 02-562-5000 ext. 5432, Email: arisara.thongp@ku.th, Website: https://agro.ku.ac.th
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