How are Youths Today Making A Positive Impact on Sustainability?

Recently, the SUSS Entrepreneurship Office held its first Impact Startup Challenge (ISC) in Bangkok, Thailand, in collaboration with Siam University (SU) and SUSS. This one-week bootcamp brought together 19 SUSS students, 21 SU students, and 4 National University of Singapore High (NUHS) students to brainstorm, validate and pitch their ideas. Activities included street interviews at Pratunam Market, insights from Jasberry CEO Peetachai Dejkraisak, and visits to the Sasin School of Management.

_{Theethat Rangkasiri, Sustainability Lead Director, RISE - Corporate Innovation Powerhouse, is a driving force behind integrating sustainable practices into corporate innovation strategies.}

_{An Inspiring Sharing Session by Peetachai (Neil) Dejkraisak, Founder, Jasberry.}

This initiative is part of a larger effort to empower young entrepreneurs to address global issues. Thailand supports its youth through cross-sector partnerships, engaging them in symposiums and initiatives that promote sustainable development and influence public policy. Students applied lean startup methodology and gained valuable insights into Bangkok's business and social landscape.

Seven sustainability-focused teams pitched their innovative ideas to a distinguished panel of judges. Embracing our theme of social and environmental impact, the winners of this year's ISC are:

3rd Place: Wise Rice – A sustainable packaging startup reducing agricultural, cardboard, and plastic waste.

_{From left to right: Ponpicha Pethkaewkul, Senior Innovation Counsellor, National Innovation Agency, Non Kasipat, Advisor to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, Ajarn Sukich Udindu, CEO, SEAMEO SEPS, Ajarn Chavapas Ongmahutmongkol, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer, Quadriga Private Equity Co. Ltd and Gordon Ho, Country Head of Thailand, Ngee Ann Polytechnic.}

2nd Place: Illumica – Simplifying connections between parents and early childhood services.

_{International College students from Siam University, accompanied by Ajarn Sukich Udindu, CEO, SEAMEO SEPS, were all smiles as they immersed themselves in the experience, eager to learn and connect with industry leaders.}

1st Place: Re-ignite – A user-friendly recycling app revitalising second-hand clothing.

_{SUSS, NUHS and Siam University students, alongside Gordon Ho, Country Head of Thailand, Ngee Ann Polytechnic.}

The ISC Bangkok Edition highlighted the impact of education, collaboration, and entrepreneurship, paving the way for future sustainable innovations that will not only benefit Thailand but also the broader region.

_{Panel of Judges: SUSS, NUHS and Siam University students, alongside Ajarn Ajarn Chavapas Ongmahutmongkol, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer, Quadriga Private Equity Co. Ltd.}

Passionate about making a difference? Sign up for the upcoming Impact Startup Challenge Info Session here.

To learn more about SUSS’ Entrepreneurship programmes, visit:

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/suss_entrepreneurship 

Website: https://www.suss.edu.sg/experience-at-suss/entrepreneurship

Email: entrepreneruship@suss.edu.sg