CP Innovation Expo Judges Seek Real Impact, Not Just Ideas
CP Innovation Expo judges are evaluating 60 finalists from 319 submissions across four innovation categories, prioritizing real-world problem-solving and scalability over novelty alone. The Chairman Awards 2026 will recognize innovations th
Bangkok, September 4, 2025 — As "innovation" becomes a buzzword across organizations, the real question is not just who has newer technology, but what transforms an idea into something practical, scalable, and genuinely valuable. This question is being examined in the judging room for the Chairman Awards 2026 at CP Innovation Exposition 2026, where experts from science, technology, business, intellectual property, and media are evaluating 60 finalists chosen from 319 submissions sent by CP personnel worldwide. Of these, 86 innovations have been selected for display at the CP Innovation Exposition 2026, a national innovation festival set for October 20–22 at True Digital Park.
The 60 finalists span four categories: Process Innovation (28 projects), Product Innovation (20 projects), Sustainability Innovation (8 projects), and Business Model Innovation (4 projects). Submissions came from Thailand (44), China (15), and Russia (1). The judging appeal lies not simply in who advances, but in what each team must prove: the problem they identified, how they differ from existing solutions, and their potential for scaled real-world impact.
**Newness Alone Is Not Enough—Solutions Must Deliver Real Results**
The Chairman Awards framework does not focus solely on technological or conceptual novelty. It covers three critical dimensions: Project Rationale and Strategic Alignment, which examines the problem source, business opportunity, and strategic fit; Novelty and Differentiation, which evaluates innovation level, distinctiveness, and intellectual property potential; and Technical Excellence, Business Impact and Scalability, which assesses performance, business outcomes, and scalability.
Kitti Singhapad, a judge from Channel 3, observed that standout innovation is not measured by newness alone but must begin by solving real, existing problems and have growth potential alongside sustainability. "Does the work presented address a current problem? Since it is an innovation award, what is genuinely innovative about it, and how can it grow and develop? Critically, it must also answer the sustainability challenge."
From the judging room, Kitti reflected that many projects create benefits beyond cost reduction or efficiency gains—they connect to community, society, and environment. Importantly, many submissions "are not just projects but actual work producing real results already," showing that significant innovation is already emerging from hands-on effort within organizations.
**From Idea to Value: How Intellectual Property Strengthens Innovation**
Another perspective comes from Viroj Chongklavanisuek, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Intellectual Property and a judging expert, who frames innovation beyond creativity alone, especially when commercial potential exists. Intellectual property management becomes a crucial lever for expanding innovation value.
Viroj stated that "innovations generating revenue or benefit should be protected intellectual property under law. From serving on this panel, even though it is a competition within one organization, the work displayed reveals high-potential innovations. Each team has drive and creativity."
