Thai Chamber University Partners Young Entrepreneurs for Real Business Challenge

The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, through its Creative Entrepreneurship (CE) faculty, has joined with the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Young Entrepreneur Chamber (YEC) to launch the "YEC x CE Real Business Challenge 2026" under the theme "CE AIpreneur: Doing Real Business with AI with YEC." The project brings 12 real YEC member businesses from across the country into the classroom as case studies for students to analyze and solve genuine business problems, guided by both entrepreneurs and experienced business faculty.

The press conference was held at the 18th floor multipurpose hall of UTCC's 24-story building, attended by UTCC Rector Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thanawat Polvichai, YEC Development Committee Chair Chatip Tangkulpisan, and CE Dean Dr. Suphasan Preedawiphat, alongside a showcase of all 12 entrepreneurs' products.

A key highlight is that all challenges are authentic — real businesses, real products, and real problems the entrepreneurs currently face. The 12 YEC entrepreneurs come from seven provinces — Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Samut Sakhon, Songkhla, and Amnat Charoen — spanning Central, Southern, and Northeastern regions. Their businesses cover diverse sectors: food and snacks, packaging and printing, furniture and bedding, rubber foam products, real estate, local character art toys, and organic agriculture. Chatip Tangkulpisan, YEC Chair, even contributed his own packaging business as one of the challenges.

Each entrepreneur presents their business and products directly to students, who then analyze the problems, needs, and constraints before developing solutions. Challenges fall into three categories: increasing sales and expanding marketing channels, brand building, and new product development, tailored to each entrepreneur's needs. Throughout the process, students receive guidance from assigned faculty advisors and the entrepreneurs themselves to refine proposals into practically applicable solutions before presenting to the actual business owners, with viable ideas potentially being implemented.

Rector Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thanawat Polvichai stated, "UTCC has always emphasized connecting learning with the business world because we believe textbook learning alone is insufficient. Students must encounter real businesses, real entrepreneurs, and real business challenges to develop critical thinking, analysis, problem-solving, and adaptability skills. This collaboration also benefits the business sector, as the new generation brings fresh perspectives and creative ideas. What I hope to see from this project is not just..."