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NIA Eyes Green Tech Unicorns Within Three Years, Four Thai Startups Set to Showcase at ‘Web Summit Qatar 2025’ as Global Green Innovation Market Forecasts 25% Annual Growth Over the Next Decade
This move comes amid booming global demand for green technology. The environmental tech sector is expected to grow at an average rate of 25% annually over the next ten years, underscoring a unique opportunity for Thailand to cultivate and launch a new generation of climate/green tech startups—potentially propelling them to unicorn status.
Dr. Krithpaka Boonfueng, Executive Director of the National Innovation Agency (NIA), noted that the global sustainability movement is gaining significant momentum. SMEs, startups, and industrial sectors worldwide are rapidly integrating technology to drive sustainable innovation. As a result, startups that develop solutions for environmental preservation and climate change mitigation are attracting increasing attention from both consumers and investors—domestically and abroad. The surging global appetite for these technologies reinforces their massive market potential, with projections suggesting a sustained average growth rate of 25% annually for the next decade.
Thai startups are well equipped with innovation capabilities comparable to their international counterparts. However, a lack of opportunities and readiness in structured business management has often hindered their full potential for expansion into global markets. As the nation’s designated Focal Conductor for innovation, the NIA is therefore committed to providing comprehensive support—including funding, opportunities, and knowledge development—to empower Thai startups to grow with greater strength and readiness for international expansion.
A particular focus is being placed on accelerating the development of startups in the fields of environmental technology and sustainability, with the ambition of nurturing more Thai unicorns—startups valued at over 1 billion US dollars—over the coming years. To achieve this, it is crucial to stimulate investment through collaborative efforts between the public sector, private enterprises, and academic institutions.
One key initiative towards this goal is the Unicorn Factory Thailand project, which aims to enhance the capabilities of promising startups and unlock new opportunities to propel them onto the global stage. The program will feature workshops targeted at startups in the Series A stage and beyond, covering vital areas such as building sustainable businesses, expanding investor and partner networks, strategies for international market entry, and gaining opportunities to pitch at leading global technology and innovation showcases.
Dr. Krithpaka further added that over the past year, the NIA successfully created new business opportunities and connected four growth-stage Thai startups, along with one winning student team from the Startup Thailand League 2024, to the global stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024—a leading global technology and startup conference and exhibition. During the event, the delegation also engaged in discussions with partner organizations supporting startup development in the United States. These engagements provided valuable exposure for Thai startups, enabling them to explore market expansion strategies and gain access to networks of investors, experts, and global business partners.
In 2025, the NIA remains committed to driving Thai startups towards international markets by continually building new business opportunities. This year, four promising Thai startups in the fields of Climate Tech and Green Tech have been selected for further internationalization efforts. These are:
1. Altotech.AI – developers of intelligent energy management systems;
2. ION ENERGY CORPORATION – a leading provider of residential solar energy solutions in Thailand, offering integrated energy management and payment platforms for PPA/EPC clients;
3. VEKIN (Thailand) – creators of the AI Carbon Editor tool, designed to analyze and manage carbon emissions for corporate and industrial sectors; and
4. MUI Robotics – developers of intelligent robotics and automation systems for applications in industries such as manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and agriculture.
These four startups are showcasing their innovations, presenting business plans, and engaging directly with investors and international markets at Web Summit Qatar 2025, held in Doha, Qatar. As the Middle East’s largest technology and startup conference, the event brings together startups, investors, major corporations, public and private sector organizations, and technology leaders from across industries to exchange knowledge, foster collaboration, and strengthen the international startup ecosystem.
The summit expects more than 25,000 attendees, featuring 1,520 startup companies, 723 investors, and 167 partners from around the world. Notably, the Thai startups’ booths attracted strong interest from investors and businesses across multiple countries, resulting in numerous business discussions and information exchanges.
“The NIA aims to produce one to two new homegrown unicorns within the next three years, focusing on startups in the FoodTech and GreenTech sectors,” stated Dr Krithpaka. “These sectors have considerable market demand, particularly GreenTech, which is proving especially promising. Organizations of all sizes—from large corporations to SMEs—are actively seeking solutions to environmental challenges, spurred in part by the growing pressure of carbon taxes imposed on fossil fuel emissions. This has created significant demand for environmental innovations, providing fertile ground for the emergence of high-growth startups in this space.
Investment in environmental and sustainability-focused technologies continues to rise, both in Thailand and abroad. Thailand, in particular, offers a unique combination of factors that position its startups for global expansion: abundant space and resources, as well as real-world environmental challenges that make it an ideal sandbox environment for piloting environmental technologies. These technologies can be trialed across industries under the country’s Green Transformation framework—whether through the adoption of renewable energy, boosting energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, or mitigating pollution.
There is capital available—both from end-users and from investors—and there is strong momentum in the ecosystem. All of this makes Thailand a viable launchpad for unicorns.”
Mr Phattananat Wongwan, Chief Growth Officer (CGO) of MUI Robotics Co Ltd, stated that MUI Robotics’ technologies are already being widely adopted within Thai industries, thanks to their ability to address environmental concerns within industrial production processes. With the support of the NIA, MUI Robotics has been able to accelerate its growth and extend its reach into international markets. In particular, the opportunity to meet with investors and showcase their solutions at Web Summit Qatar 2025 has significantly raised the profile of Thai innovation and helped gain recognition from overseas investors.
“Our technologies go beyond solving local environmental challenges—they’re applicable to industrial problems on a global scale,” said Mr Phattananat. He emphasized that government support is key to enabling more startups to emerge and thrive. “If the government continues to champion and invest in the startup ecosystem, especially in the Climate Tech and Green Tech sectors, Thai startups will be well positioned for sustainable growth on the world stage.”
Mr Pamekitti Puktalae, Technical Product at AltoTech Global Co Ltd, remarked that many industries today are striving to position themselves as leaders in sustainability. This demand creates opportunities for startups developing environmental solutions—whether by creating carbon-neutral spaces or providing ESG-supporting tools—to step in and add real value.
He continued, “NIA’s support in enabling AltoTech, which integrates AI and IoT to address sustainability challenges, to showcase our capabilities at Web Summit Qatar 2025 has opened a crucial gateway for Thai startups to enter the global stage. A market like Qatar, which prioritizes sustainability and smart infrastructure, is an ideal fit. Participating in this event has not only allowed us to engage with global stakeholders and gain insights into international market demands, but also helped us fine-tune our solutions to align with diverse expectations and accelerate our global expansion.”
“Additionally,” he added, “this opportunity has significantly boosted the credibility of Thai entrepreneurs, which in turn has increased our visibility and appeal to both domestic and international investors.”
Hashtag: #NIA
https://www.nia.or.th/The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
UMSOCIAL has grown steadily over the past two years. Today, UMSOCIAL offers over 2,000 live strategies, with more than 10,000 trading accounts actively copying trades on the platform. This growth shows that traders are looking for a place where learning and trading can happen together.
“UMSOCIAL is not just about copying trades. It’s about learning, growing, and sharing success together,” said Jack Li, Regional Business Director at Ultima Markets. “Every Follower has the potential to become a Master. That’s the spirit behind our message: Follow Today, Master Tomorrow.”
A Connected Experience for Both Beginners and Skilled Traders
For beginners, UMSOCIAL provides an accessible way to learn from real-time market activity and trading strategies. New users can review verified performance records, understand trading styles, and mirror strategies from skilled traders in real time. As a social trading app, UMSOCIAL fosters a supportive learning experience for those who are new to markets.
At the same time, seasoned traders gain a structured platform to share their expertise, build credibility within the community, and earn performance-based fees tied to their strategy outcomes.
UMSOCIAL brings both beginner and skilled traders into one cohesive environment. This unified ecosystem supports education, transparency, and professional recognition, enabling every participant to engage with markets at their own pace while benefiting from clear and data-driven insights.
Powered by State-of-the-art Technology and Full Transparency
UMSOCIAL is built on Ultima Markets’ advanced technology infrastructure and strong focus on visibility, ensuring a secure and consistent experience across all user interactions. Every transaction is processed with fast order matching, stable connectivity, and full visibility. Traders can manage their accounts, monitor performance, or switch strategies at any time with just a few clicks.
The platform continues to evolve as one of today’s leading copy trading platforms, offering faster trade execution, real-time insights, and user-friendly tools. Ultima Markets remains focused on building a reliable, fair, and engaging environment where traders can grow and succeed together.
Start your journey with UMSOCIAL by Ultima Markets and trade smarter together.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Ultima Markets
Ultima Markets is a licensed, award-winning, multi-asset broker offering access to over 250 CFD instruments across forex, commodities, indices and shares. The company was recently awarded Most Advanced Multi-Asset Trading Platform Europe 2025 and is the first CFD broker to join the UN Global Compact.
CFDs are complex instruments and involve a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Ensure you fully understand the risks before trading.
Disclaimer
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Past performance of Masters on UMSOCIAL does not guarantee future results. Trading involves risk, and you are fully responsible for your own trading decisions.
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2nd MOTIFX – Embracing the Beauty of Chinese Culture Culture to Nature – A Surreal Garden of Botanical Patterns
Organised by the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) under the Vocational Training Council (VTC) and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), MOTIFX invites emerging designers to reinterpret traditional Chinese motifs for contemporary contexts, seamlessly integrating historical patterns into modern objects, interiors, and lifestyle products while deepening new generations’ engagement with their cultural heritage.
The 2nd MOTIFX – Embracing the Beauty of Chinese Culture invites designers to explore the mystical side of Chinese characters, with a particular focus on Radical Grass (艹 / 艸) and its evocative connection to a surreal world of nature. While respectfully acknowledging the cultural and philosophical differences between Eastern and Western traditions, the project embraces nature’s whimsy and dreamlike beauty with open delight
This inspiration gives birth to the central theme: Culture to Nature – A Surreal Garden of Botanical Patterns. Curated by Michael LEUNG, the exhibition brings together numerous design students and local designers who are in studies across diverse disciplines to rediscover the vibrant potential of Chinese characters. In doing so, it redefines the relationship between cultural heritage and the natural world, resulting in an imaginative collection of patterns and design works that vividly capture the theme.
A key highlight is the immersive installation Surreal Garden, created by designers Moon.noon and Stickyline. Inspired by “Radical Grass” motifs designed by these young creatives, the duo transforms two-dimensional patterns into a multi-sensory experience. Visitors move seamlessly from the physical space into a digital dreamscape, journeying through the four seasons guided by the 24 traditional solar terms — from the blossoming of spring to the retreat of winter — tracing the boundless rhythms of nature.
This surreal journey continues throughout the exhibition, which showcases over 100 original patterns created by local design students, each derived from the 艹 radical. Like countless flowers blooming in a shared field, these works express diverse creative voices, yet all are rooted in the same ancient, ever-living origin — the enduring 艹 .
DesignInspire 2025 was transformed into this fantastical garden woven from Chinese characters and nature’s boundless poetry — and let your imagination take flight.
Curator: Michael LEUNG
Born in Hong Kong, Michael LEUNG earned his Master’s degree from Design Academy Eindhoven in the Netherlands, where he later founded Studio AA (previously MIRO). His practice spans graphic, product, and spatial design, often exploring the intersections of craftsmanship and industry, local culture, and sustainability. Recipient of the Hong Kong Young Design Talent Award and Perspective 40 Under 40, his work has been showcased at Milan Design Week, Dutch Design Week, and other major international exhibitions. In recent years, he has collaborated with institutions such as the Vitra Design Museum (Germany) and the V&A (UK), extending his creative vision into exhibition curation.
Participating Artist: Moon.noon
Moon.noon (KONG Fan-leung) is a real-time visual artist who masterfully blends data-driven storytelling with immersive audio-visual and sensory experiences. A former user-experience designer, he now transforms complex sources — climate data, urban landscapes, audience interaction — into powerfully evocative visual languages. His works have appeared at M+, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, West Kowloon Freespace Jazz Festival, and in collaborations with Coca-Cola, LG, and Samsung.
Participating Artist: STICKYLINE
Founded in 2011 by Hong Kong creative artists Mic LEONG and Soilworm LAI, STICKYLINE is celebrated for its large-scale polyhedral sculptures that reveal the beauty of creative engineering, mathematics, and geometry. Working primarily with paper and metal, and integrating kinetics, sound, and light, the duo produces minimalist, durable, and strikingly futuristic installations, site-specific works, and private commissions that have earned widespread acclaim in the design world over the years.
Moroso × HKDI Furniture Collaboration Project
The exhibition showcases a creative collaboration between renowned Italian luxury furniture brand Moroso and design students from the HKDI’s Department of Architecture, Interior and Product Design (AIP). Together, they present the forward-looking project with MOTIFX patterns printed on the fabrics to “Designing Clothes for Furniture Objects.”
This initiative reimagines furniture as living bodies to be dressed, where textiles and soft elements become expressive garments. Moving beyond surface aesthetics, students explore adaptability, sensory depth, and emotional resonance, while engaging with ideas of circularity, modularity, and service-oriented design. The design challenge invites them to create interchangeable and upgradeable “furniture garments” that respond to personal habits, environments, and even special occasions.
Event Details:
The 2nd MOTIFX – Embracing the Beauty of Chinese Culture Exhibition at DESIGNINSPIRE 2025
Date : 4 Dec – 6 Dec, 2025
Time : 9:30am-7:30pm
Venue : Booth no. 3E-D02, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
The 2nd MOTIFX – Embracing the Beauty of Chinese Culture Exhibition
Date : 3 Mar – 31 Mar, 2026
Time : 10:30AM – 7:30PM (Monday to Sunday)
Venue : 2/F, LANDMARK ATRIUM
The 2nd MOTIFX – Embracing the Beauty of Chinese Culture Exhibition at FASHION INSTYLE, HOME INSTYLE EXHIBITION 2026
Date : 27 Apr – 30 Apr, 2026
Time : 9:00AM – 6:00PM
Venue : Concourse Area, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
Hashtag: #MOTIFX
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Vocational Training Council (VTC)
Established in 1982, the Vocational Training Council (VTC) is the largest vocational and professional education and training provider in Hong Kong. The mission of VTC is to provide a valued choice to school leavers and working people to acquire the values, knowledge and skills for lifelong learning and enhanced employability, and also to provide support to industries for their manpower development. VTC has 14 member institutions, namely the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi), the Institute of Professional Education And Knowledge (PEAK), the School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE), the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE), the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), the Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology (HKIIT), the Hotel and Tourism Institute (HTI), the Chinese Culinary Institute (CCI), the International Culinary Institute (ICI), the Maritime Services Training Institute (MSTI), Youth College, Pro-Act by VTC, the Integrated Vocational Development Centre (IVDC) and the Shine Skills Centre.
Website: 
www.vtc.edu.hk
About Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI)
Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) is a member of VTC Group. HKDI was established in 2007 with the mission to be a leading provider of design education and lifelong learning, including architecture, interior and product design, communication design, digital media, and fashion and image design. With a view to providing professional designers for the creative industries, it promotes the “think and do” approach and encourages interdisciplinary synergy in its broad range of design programmes that cultivates students’ cultural sensitivities and sense of sustainability. HKDI maintains a strong network with industry and provides its students with essential practical experience. Overseas exchanges are actively arranged for students to broaden their international perspective.
Website: http://www.hkdi.edu.hk
Disclaimer: The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) are those of the project organisers only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.
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InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay Strengthens Guest Experiences Through The Quay Insider Programme
The Story Behind The Quay Insider
Introduced in early 2025 as part of the InterContinental brand’s hallmark of “Insider Expertise”, The Quay Insider embodies InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay’s commitment to connecting travellers with the authentic and lesser-known sides of Singapore. This comes to life through partnerships with local brands around the neighbourhood, inviting guests to immerse themselves in the city’s vibrant culture and storied heritage.
Crafting Experiences For Every Traveller
The Quay Insider has been thoughtfully designed to cater to a variety of traveller interests. The Cultural Enthusiast seeks authentic immersion, connecting with the heart of a destination through its local flavours, rich heritage and timeless stories. The Creative Wanderer discovers rare and remarkable experiences, from curated dining journeys to artisanal craftsmanship, that reflect bold individuality. The Wellness Seeker pursues balance amidst the rhythm of modern life, choosing mindful experiences that uplift and rejuvenate. By aligning curated privileges with these personas, The Quay Insider ensures that each guest’s journey is both enriching and personalised.
For business travellers, The Quay Insider privileges are crafted to enhance the comfort and convenience of the hotel’s luxury suites, seamlessly balancing work with moments of relaxation. For leisure guests, the programme allows them to immerse themselves in the precinct’s rich cultural and heritage experiences that have shaped Singapore into the city it is today. By fostering experiential travel, The Quay Insider transforms each stay into a journey of discovery, with curated local encounters that add depth and distinction to every visit.
Curating Our Neighbourhood Partners
Over 25 partners were curated for their commitment to authenticity, alignment with guest interests, and exceptional quality. Spanning independent designers, art collectives, wellness studios, and award-winning restaurants, these partnerships offer guests privileges ranging from complimentary additions with purchase and curated cultural tours to bespoke wellness and dining experiences that are tailored to each individual’s interests.
The programme spotlights local businesses and tour operators to support sustainable tourism through preservation of the creative, heritage and cultural identity of Robertson Quay. By connecting guests with local experiences around the neighbourhood, it reinforces InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay’s positioning as both a luxury riverfront haven and a gateway to the neighbourhood’s heritage rhythm and cultural vibrancy.
Creating Meaningful Connections Beyond The Stay
From culinary experiences and cultural explorations to moments of rest and wellness, The Quay Insider complements the hotel stay by introducing guests to lesser-known aspects of Singapore’s dining, culture, and wellbeing scene. It helps leisure travellers discover local highlights and offers business travellers experiential travel opportunities to relax and explore nearby, all within easy reach of the hotel.
“The Quay Insider invites guests to experience more than just a stay,” shared Kieran Quinn, General Manager, InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay. “It connects them to the heart of Robertson Quay through meaningful partnerships with community partners in the neighbourhood, enriching guest experiences while helping to support the local community.”
Building The Next Chapter Of Hospitality
InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay remains committed to sustaining long-term partnerships within the community, supported by dedicated communication efforts that keep guests informed of the privileges available through The Quay Insider. Renewed annually, this ensures the programme stays attuned to evolving guest interests and the growing demand for meaningful, experiential travel.
Moving forward, the hotel is also exploring more collaborations across the precinct to further expand the scope of insider experiences. These initiatives aim to introduce both international travellers and local guests, including those booking a staycation package in Singapore, to a wider range of experiences. As such, the programme can continue to evolve in line with the needs and aspirations of today’s travellers. This allows InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay to weave local experiences seamlessly into every guest’s stay experience.
Hotel Positioning
Alongside The Quay Insider, InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay maintains its positioning as a luxury lifestyle hotel for modern travellers. Its residential-inspired design complements the experiential travel focus of the programme, offering guests the combination of contemporary comfort and immediate access to local culture.
The introduction of the programme sets the hotel apart by embedding cultural engagement seamlessly into the guest journey. Both leisure and business travellers may enjoy a hospitality experience that weaves meaningful experiences around the neighbourhood, together with the refined luxury of InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay.
Hashtag: #InterContinentalSingaporeRobertsonQuay #TheQuayInsider #CondéNastReadersChoice2025
https://robertsonquay.intercontinental.com/
http://www.facebook.com/InterContinentalRobertsonQuay
https://www.instagram.com/intercontinentalrq/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay
InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay is a luxury hotel nestled in the heart of Singapore’s newest micro-destination. Situated on the banks of the Singapore River at one of the most exclusive addresses, InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay is a ripe host of thoughtful amenities and personalised services.
The 225 studios and suites are reminiscent of a private residence, surrounded by vibrant dining options, art houses and heritage sites, with the CBD located just 5 minutes away. The sleek urban property reflects the neighbourhood’s industrial past with modern, contemporary finishes complemented by outdoor terraces boasting river views.
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