BU Partners with depa and iMAKE Innovation to Launch "Student Techpreneur Competition 2026," Shaping Students into Young Innovation Entrepreneurs
Bangkok University, together with depa and iMAKE Innovation, held the “Student Techpreneur Competition 2026” to nurture students selected from the National Coding & AI Competition in turning their work into real innovation-driven businesses.
Bangkok University, in collaboration with the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa) and iMAKE Innovation Co., Ltd., held the Student Techpreneur Competition 2026 under the concept “LEAD THE NEXT WORLD” to promote and develop youth potential in innovation, digital technology, and young entrepreneurship. The project gave students the opportunity to take existing projects, innovations, prototype products, or concepts and further develop them into products, services, or businesses capable of concretely addressing real-world problems.
The project welcomed students selected from the National Coding & AI Competition 2026, which reflected participants’ potential in coding, AI, and technology, and guided them into an incubation process to build on their work toward innovation and entrepreneurship. Participants were not required to start entirely new projects and could immediately develop their existing work further. Throughout the process, students received skills development through learning and mentorship on key topics — from identifying opportunities from real problems, design thinking and applying AI, developing product concepts and prototypes, creating Lean Canvas and Business Model Canvas, cost and pricing analysis, through to preparing pitch decks and using AI to develop both prototypes and content for the final presentation round.
Award-winning teams from the Student Techpreneur Competition 2026:
Champion: Team TK-Flow Check,
Thammasat Khlong Luang Wittayakom School
1st Runner-up: Team “Mahathep Songkram Koet Ma Phuea Kha Lae Lop Lang,” from Triam Udom Suksa Pattanakarn School, Rajaprachasamasai School (Ratchadaphisek Campus, under Royal Patronage),
and Phra Mae San Songkhro School
2nd Runner-up: Team MickeyMouse, Bang Bo Wittayakom School
Honorable Mentions: Team RCVC, Vajiravudh College; and Team TK-SOLA, Thammasat Khlong Luang Wittayakom School
Showcase awards were also presented to: Team ATPNeckHurt (Debsirin Suksa School… — actually Thep Mit Suksa School), Team Papna (The Newton Sixth Form), Team ROUTE & RICHES (Lasalle School), Team My Goals (Bang Bo Wittayakom School), and Team PACEbyCodeWhite (Assumption College Sriracha).
Additional special awards were given as follows: the Innovation Supporter Award went to Lasalle School, while the Popular Vote Award and BU Fan Award were presented to Ban Bueng “Uttasahakam Nukroh” School.
On the final judging day, the project was honored by a panel of distinguished judges, including:
- Asst. Prof.Dr.Wisarn Patchoo, Dean, School of Engineering, Bangkok University
- Dr.Wutnipong Warakraisawad, Dean, School of Entrepreneurship and Management, Bangkok University
- K.Pakpoom Iamjitkuson, Senior Digital Economy Promotion Officer, Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa)
- K.Manit Junsuttirangkoon, Founder and CEO, iMAKE Innovation Co., Ltd. (iMAKE)
- K.Chaowanon Klangpremjit, Vice President for International Affairs, Thai Startup Association
The success of the Student Techpreneur Competition 2026 reflects Bangkok University’s ongoing commitment to serving as a platform for incubating and advancing the potential of Thai youth in innovation, technology, and next-generation entrepreneurship, through continued collaboration with public and private sector partners — creating opportunities for students to turn real-world problems into ideas, and grow into innovators and entrepreneurs ready to drive the country’s digital economy forward.
