The competition launches the ETDA’s initiatives to scale up smart cities throughout the nation and offers new participants from startups, small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), and the general public the chance to get involved in addressing social challenges.
In his introductory remarks, ETDA director Chaichana Mitphan noted that the agency had found that most Thai towns have a certain level of infrastructure readiness in terms of digital technology for better living after working with local organizations to gather information and data for several years.
Yet, he noted that each city has particular problems to take into account, necessitating appropriate digitally inventive solutions to the issue.
He admitted that even with the right information and knowledge of the issue, some problems were beyond the scope of the government and necessitated the sharing of some resources and solutions by a third party, either public or private.
contacting innovators
The competition, according to him, aims to connect extraordinary innovators from all across the nation with the three issues that the ETDA and its partner have identified: safe and wholesome food, accessible public health services, and livable and secure housing.
He said that Chiang Mai was selected as the competition’s starting location because the province’s local population, internet infrastructure, and economy are the most advanced.
According to Tyn Tawitaranond, assistant executive director of ETDA, the organization anticipates that the solutions for Chiang Mai will be expanded upon and used in other regions around the nation.
In addition to receiving funding and the chance to expand their businesses, participants will also build relationships through ETDA partners like Techsauce Media in order to approach international investors, he said.
The potential of these links, according to Tyn, would eventually allow these digital service providers to go worldwide with their own smart solution for smart cities.
luring digital nomads in
Each province in Thailand, especially Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, has its own distinctive selling point to draw foreign “digital nomads” — people who travel freely while working remotely via technology and the internet. Charle Charoenphan, chief strategy officer and head of Techsauce Media’s Thailand accelerator, added that.
As a result, if Thailand offers top-notch digital services, these digital nomads will choose to travel there first. This will help the economy of the nation over time.
He made the point that it would be better for the nation to have its own digital firms in order to attract such investors as well, given that the majority of international investors have changed their focus to businesses using human-centered technology.
One of the ETDA’s partners, the National Innovation Agency (NIA), deputy executive director (Innovation System), Krithpaka Boonfueng, stated that the competition is anticipated to assist Thailand in creating an open data sharing system.
She clarified that data is necessary for all digitally oriented companies and organizations in order to become a source of solutions. Hence, by opening up its data-sharing system, Thailand will finally be able to support social innovations that have a significant influence on society.
To hold this competition, the ETDA worked with the NIA, Techsauce Media, AXONS (Thailand’s agri-tech companies), Vimut Hospital, Chiang Mai University, and the governor of Chiang Mai in addition to the PMU-A and the NIA.
A government organization holds a competition to find creative solutions for the smart city of Chiang Mai.
New innovation creators have the chance to expand their businesses and implement cutting-edge solutions in the interim.
He continued, “These suppliers will be crucial in enhancing the nation’s competitiveness in the future.”
Up until March 15, startups, Businesses, students, and the general public can submit a preliminary business plan. A team is limited to 4-5 members.
According to him, the company plan ought to offer a workable solution that satisfies the requirements. The committee will decide which of the 15 surviving teams will get training from mentors and subject-matter experts.
The prize includes 400,000 Baht in cash, a plaque, and a certificate for the winner. The third place finisher will get 150,000 baht, and the second place finisher will get 300,000 baht. Moreover, at the Techsauce World Conference in 2023, all three winners will have the chance to present on the Tech Showcase stage.
