Bangkok Business Challenge 2026 Grows Startups Into Impactful Ventures
Building Solutions For Tomorrow’s World

Most startups fail in their early stages, often struggling to scale due to a lack of market validation, insufficient capital, and other overlooked factors. The Bangkok Business Challenge, the longest-running global student startup competition hosted in Thailand, gives university students the opportunity to receive mentorship from expert judges across various industries while gaining visibility among future investors.

Organized by Sasin School of Management in partnership with SCG Chemicals (SCGC)— a leading innovator in the polymer business and integrated solutions for sustainability— the competition transforms startups by providing invaluable feedback and the chance to win prize money from a total prize pool of US$42,900. Now in its 24th consecutive year, Sasin welcomes startup teams from around the world with sustainable business concepts, challenging teams to build solutions for tomorrow’s world and scale into impactful ventures.

Three teams that previously competed in the Bangkok Business Challenge shared their experiences: Propika, the 2024 Grand Prize Winner; Humimic Biosystems, the First Runner-up of 2025; and LOCOL, recipient of the 2025 Sustainability Award Special Mention.

Propika- Grand Prize Winner, Bangkok Business Challenge 2024

From the University of Arkansas, United States of America, Propika pioneers sustainable technology that transforms billions of tons of discarded agricultural waste into bio-based fuels. CEO Nhiem Cao and Chief Technology Officer Angel Treat attested that the Bangkok Business Challenge gave them a powerful sounding board to test their business ideas, helping them understand what resonates not just domestically, but on an international stage.

“Any students or startups considering applying to the Bangkok Business Challenge 2026 should do so. It’s a great experience that provides valuable feedback from an international perspective. The cultural experience is also truly unique — no other competition comes close.” — Propika, Bangkok Business Challenge 2024 Grand Prize Winner

Read more about their experience at the competition here.

Humimic Biosystems- First Runner-up, Bangkok Business Challenge 2025

Also from the University of Arkansas, Humimic Biosystems is a biotechnology company revolutionizing pharmaceutical drug testing through non-animal organ modeling platforms that eliminate the need for animal testing. Co-founder & CEO Lexi Applequist and VP of Public Relations Kimberly Kay lead a team whose razor-and-blades model generates recurring revenue, with technology that integrates into existing pharmaceutical workflows to help bring safer drugs to patients up to two years faster and at significantly lower cost.

For Humimic Biosystems, the prize money filled critical financial gaps that traditional Research and Development (R&D) funding doesn’t cover, allowing the team to build early traction while preparing for investor funding to establish their own lab space and refine the industrial design of their products.

“This competition helped us refine our pitch to clearly communicate complex science to a broad audience. We sharpened our commercialization strategy through expert feedback.” — Humimic Biosystems, First Runner-up, Bangkok Business Challenge 2025

Beyond feedback from the judges, Humimic Biosystems found the most valuable outcome to be the international network the competition provided, pushing them to think more globally and opening new perspectives on international manufacturing and distribution partnerships to better serve Asian markets.

LOCOL- Sustainability Award Special Mention, Bangkok Business Challenge 2025

The Bangkok Business Challenge not only attracts global startup teams but also gives Thailand’s local startups a platform to shine. LOCOL, from Chulalongkorn University, received the 2025 Sustainability Award Special Mention for their climate-focused venture developing a natural livestock premix derived from cocoa waste to reduce methane emissions while improving farmers’ profitability. The team consists of Co-founder & CEO Akrapon Tanawattanacharoen, Co-founder & Chief Strategy Officer Hathaitanit Tongthong, Co-founder & CTO Nontapan Sitthichotlertpakdee, and Data Analyst Poomthum Umponpong.

“Bangkok Business Challenge allowed us to validate our idea on a different scale. Through constant questioning, pitching, and iteration, we discovered gaps we hadn’t seen before and gained a clearer understanding of how to move from concept to practical implementation.” — LOCOL, Sustainability Award Special Mention, Bangkok Business Challenge 2025

Students and startups ready to turn their ideas into real businesses can apply from now until March 15, 2026. Selected teams will compete in the semifinals from May 21–23, 2026, at Sasin School of Management.

Apply at bbc.sasin.edu | Facebook: Bangkok Business Challenge | Email: [email protected]