UTCC's 13th Young Entrepreneur Camp Cultivates AI-Driven Startups

The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, through its Faculty of Business Administration and Marketing Communications Division, organized the 'Young Entrepreneur Camp No. 13 (STARTUP CAMP No.13)' on October 24–25, 2026 (2569 BE) at UTCC. The event provided a platform for 300 upper-secondary students from over 100 schools nationwide to practice thinking and doing real business under the concept 'Future Resilience Startup Camp (AI for Sustainable Survival)', with major support from Thai Beverage Public Company Limited in both activities and prize money totaling over 100,000 baht.

This year's camp aimed to instill in youth the necessity of adapting amid rapid global business changes, while learning to apply artificial intelligence (AI) technology to develop resilient business concepts that can withstand challenges and grow sustainably—key skills for new-generation entrepreneurs.

Throughout the two-day camp, faculty and staff from the Faculty of Business Administration, who co-designed the content and facilitated learning activities, served as mentors, closely advising each team from problem analysis and business opportunity identification, to concept and business model development, through to pitch preparation—training analytical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills.

Another key activity was a panel discussion exchanging business perspectives and experiences from experts, including UTCC Faculty of Business Administration lecturers and franchise business partners from Malaysia: Acting Sub Lt. Jennifer Mabangkru, Founder and CEO of TAI GUO PIN GROUP; Adjunct Professor Dr. Dato’ Eric Ku, Founder of iTrainKids; Mr. Johan Ooi, Founder of Johan Speaking Academy; and Miss Ainsley, Founder and CEO of Artivo School of Creativity. They shared real-world business experiences and case studies, giving youth insight into business in different contexts and understanding international entrepreneurship opportunities and challenges to further develop their own business concepts.

The camp highlight was the business pitching competition, where each team applied knowledge and skills gained to develop a business plan and present to a panel of judges. Results were as follows:

- First Prize (50,000 baht): Team 'Sud Saeb Thaep UTCC' - First Runner-up (30,000 baht): Team 'Team Ten Millions' - Second Runner-up (20,000 baht): Team 'Ruea Luang See Fah' - Two Consolation Prizes (5,000 baht each): Teams 'Khid Yoo' and 'Nellcamp'

Team 'Sud Saeb Thaep UTCC' won with their presentation on an agricultural waste processor: 'Turning Northern Corn Waste into Eco-Friendly Coasters Generating Sustainable Income for Communities and Returning Clean Air to the Region.' The team comprised eight members from eight schools: Assumption College Nakhon Ratchasima, Maptaphut Panpittayakarn School, Chiang Kham Wittayakhom School, Sirindhorn School, Satri Samut Prakan School, Satri Witthaya School, Darunaratchaburi School, and Khao Ching Wittaya School.

Assistant Professor Wuthinant Okkangwan, Vice President for Marketing Communications, stated that the camp...