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The three-day industry gathering at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre runs from 5 to 7 May and is expected to draw more than 20,000 policymakers, manufacturers, suppliers, investors, researchers and technology specialists. Held under the theme “Transform Tomorrow”, the event is being staged in strategic partnership with Malaysia’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority.

The launch ceremony was officiated by Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, with senior SEMI executives, MIDA leadership and global semiconductor company representatives in attendance. The programme places manufacturing scale-up, advanced packaging, intelligent manufacturing, sustainability and workforce development at the centre of discussions, reflecting the industry’s shift from pure capacity expansion to more resilient and geographically diversified ecosystems.

Malaysia enters the event with a strong base in electrical and electronics manufacturing, particularly assembly, testing and packaging. The country has long been a critical node for chip back-end operations, with Penang and Kulim playing key roles in outsourced semiconductor assembly and test activity. The policy focus is now moving further up the value chain into chip design, advanced packaging, automation, materials, equipment support and higher-value manufacturing services.

Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, chief executive officer of MIDA, said Malaysia was no longer positioning itself as a passive beneficiary of industry shifts. “The semiconductor industry is at an inflection point, and Malaysia intends to be at the centre of what comes next,” he said, pointing to the MADANI Economy Framework and the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 as policy anchors for a broader industrial upgrade.

The E&E sector secured RM28.5 billion in approved investments in 2025, underlining continued investor interest despite a more fragmented global trade environment. Malaysia’s broader semiconductor strategy is focused on supply-chain integration, stronger domestic enterprise capability and talent development, as the country seeks to build a deeper industrial base around its existing production strengths.

Ajit Manocha, president and chief executive officer of SEMI, said closer coordination across design, manufacturing, materials and supply chains had become essential as artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and advanced electronics reshape demand. He said SEMICON Southeast Asia was designed not only as a technology showcase but as a platform for partnerships that can support long-term industry growth and resilience.

The timing of the Kuala Lumpur event is significant. Global semiconductor sales are on course to approach $1 trillion in 2026, driven largely by demand for AI accelerators, memory, advanced logic, data-centre infrastructure, automotive electronics and edge devices. Monthly industry sales crossed $99 billion in March 2026, while first-quarter sales were sharply higher than the previous quarter, showing the scale of the current upcycle.

Capital expenditure is also accelerating. Spending on 300mm fab equipment is projected to rise to about $133 billion in 2026 and $151 billion in 2027, as chipmakers expand capacity for advanced logic and memory while governments push for more localised semiconductor supply chains. Yet Southeast Asia remains under-represented in new front-end fabrication plans compared with China, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan and the United States, leaving room for Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines to compete more aggressively for future investment.

SEMICON Southeast Asia 2026 features the Executive Leadership Summit, the MIDA Strategic Semiconductor Forum and Seminar, the Sustainability and Energy Summit, TechZoomers Challenge and TalentCONNECT. These sessions are designed to connect policy, capital, manufacturing capability and workforce planning, rather than treating the exhibition as a conventional trade fair.

The emphasis on talent is especially important. Semiconductor expansion is being constrained not only by investment cycles and export controls but also by shortages of engineers, technicians, automation specialists and materials experts. Malaysia’s challenge is to match global investor confidence with a skilled workforce capable of supporting advanced packaging, precision manufacturing and design-linked activity.

Bengaluru-based Pixxel and Sarvam have set out plans to build Pathfinder, a 200 kg-class orbital data centre satellite that would test whether artificial intelligence workloads can be processed directly in space rather than routed first through terrestrial cloud systems.

The mission, announced on 4 May 2026, is scheduled to reach orbit as early as the fourth quarter of 2026. Pixxel will design, build, launch and operate the satellite, while Sarvam will provide the artificial intelligence stack needed for training and inference on board. The partners describe the project as India’s first orbital data centre satellite, placing it at the junction of three strategic races: sovereign AI, commercial space infrastructure and the search for lower-latency computing systems.

Pathfinder is intended to carry data centre-grade graphics processing units alongside Pixxel’s hyperspectral imaging camera. That combination would allow the satellite to capture high-fidelity Earth observation data and analyse it in orbit using foundation models, instead of sending large volumes of raw imagery to ground stations for processing. The aim is to transmit insights rather than just data, cutting the time between observation and decision-making.

The approach could be valuable for environmental monitoring, agriculture, mining, resource management, disaster response and critical infrastructure tracking. Hyperspectral imaging can detect patterns invisible to conventional cameras by reading hundreds of spectral bands, making it useful for identifying crop stress, pollution, mineral signatures, water conditions and changes in land use. Adding on-board AI would make such systems faster and potentially more autonomous.

Pathfinder also reflects the pressure building around AI infrastructure. Data centres have become increasingly constrained by energy demand, land availability, cooling requirements and regulation. AI-focused facilities are especially power-intensive because training and running large models depend on specialised chips. Industry forecasts point to data centre electricity use crossing 1,000 terawatt hours by 2030, with AI workloads accounting for a growing share of consumption.

Orbital computing is being explored as one answer to that problem, though it remains technically difficult and commercially unproven at scale. Satellites can draw continuous solar power in certain orbits and process space-generated data close to its source. Yet the model must overcome radiation exposure, heat dissipation, launch costs, repair limitations, chip reliability, bandwidth management and the challenge of operating high-performance hardware in an environment far harsher than a ground-based server hall.

For Pixxel, the project marks a move beyond Earth observation into space infrastructure. The company has built its position around hyperspectral satellites and already operates Firefly satellites capable of capturing detailed environmental data. Pathfinder would test whether those sensing systems can be paired with in-orbit computing to create a more responsive intelligence layer.

For Sarvam, the mission extends its sovereign AI pitch beyond ground infrastructure. The company has focused on building language models and platforms designed for deployment in local contexts, including multilingual use cases. Running its models aboard an India-built satellite would give the company a high-profile demonstration of how AI sovereignty can include hardware location, data control and infrastructure independence, not just model development.

The announcement comes as global technology groups examine space-based compute. Google’s Project Suncatcher has explored satellite constellations fitted with AI accelerators and optical links, with prototype missions planned with Planet. Elon Musk has also spoken publicly about the possibility of data centres in orbit within the wider SpaceX and Starlink ecosystem. These ideas remain at an early stage, but they show that AI infrastructure is beginning to stretch beyond conventional cloud regions.

Domestic activity is also widening. Agnikul Cosmos and NeevCloud have explored related orbital infrastructure concepts, indicating that private space and compute companies see a possible market in distributed cloud systems that span Earth and orbit. Defence, climate intelligence, telecommunications and sovereign data processing are likely to be among the first areas of interest if the technology matures.

Pathfinder’s immediate importance lies less in replacing terrestrial data centres and more in validating whether orbit can host meaningful AI workloads. The satellite is expected to test power management, thermal control, real-time inference, data processing and model performance under operational space conditions. Success would give Pixxel and Sarvam a foundation for more advanced orbital compute systems, while failure would expose the engineering and economic limits of the concept.

The project also fits a broader shift in satellite design. Spacecraft have traditionally acted mainly as sensors and transmitters, collecting data for later analysis on Earth. Pathfinder points towards satellites that can interpret what they observe, prioritise what should be sent down and support faster decisions for governments and commercial users.

Commercial adoption will depend on cost, reliability and demand. Ground-based cloud systems remain cheaper, easier to maintain and vastly more scalable. Orbital compute will need to prove that its advantages — lower latency for space data, resilience, solar access and sovereignty — justify the complexity of placing advanced AI hardware in space.

For now, Pathfinder gives the space and AI sectors a test case with wider implications. It places Pixxel and Sarvam among early movers trying to turn satellites from data collectors into active computing nodes, while testing whether the limits facing AI infrastructure on Earth can be partly addressed above it.

Tamil Nadu’s vote count pointed to a dramatic political rupture on Monday, with actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam emerging as the strongest challenger to the ruling DMK and threatening to redraw the balance of power in one of the country’s most important industrial states.

Trends through the afternoon showed TVK ahead in more than 100 seats in the 234-member Assembly, close to the 118-seat majority mark. The AIADMK alliance was holding second place in several tallies, while the DMK, led by Chief Minister M K Stalin, slipped sharply from its dominant position. The count remained fluid, with leads shifting by constituency and round, but the scale of TVK’s performance confirmed that Vijay’s first full electoral test had moved beyond symbolism.

The most striking signal came from Kolathur, Stalin’s long-held constituency in Chennai, where TVK candidate V S Babu established a lead during counting. Udhayanidhi Stalin also faced pressure in Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni, intensifying the perception of an anti-incumbency wave cutting through the DMK’s urban and welfare-heavy support base. Vijay himself was leading in both seats he contested, strengthening expectations that he could become central to government formation if TVK sustains its advantage.

TVK’s surge is particularly significant because Tamil Nadu has for decades been shaped by two Dravidian blocs, with the DMK and AIADMK alternating in power. Vijay entered politics with a campaign built around corruption allegations, youth unemployment, social justice language and a promise to offer an alternative to entrenched party networks. His appeal among young voters, first-time voters and urban families appears to have translated into a statewide challenge rather than a personality-driven protest vote.

The outcome carries implications well beyond party politics. Tamil Nadu is a manufacturing and export powerhouse, with deep clusters in automobiles, electronics, textiles, leather, engineering, logistics and renewable energy. Chennai and its surrounding industrial belt host major auto and component manufacturers, while Hosur, Sriperumbudur, Coimbatore, Tiruppur and Ranipet have become key nodes in supply chains tied to smartphones, electric vehicles, garments and precision manufacturing.

Investors will be watching whether a possible TVK-led government preserves policy continuity. The state has benefited from a predictable administrative culture, skilled labour, ports, highways, renewable energy capacity and sector-specific industrial policies. Major projects involving Tata Electronics, Foxconn-linked supply chains, Hyundai, Renault Nissan, Ola Electric, VinFast, Tata Motors’ Jaguar Land Rover facility and a wide network of small suppliers rely on stable land, power, logistics and labour arrangements.

Vijay’s party has promised cleaner governance and a people-focused administration, but it is yet to demonstrate how it would manage fiscal pressures, industrial incentives, welfare spending and Centre-state relations. Tamil Nadu’s welfare model is expensive, and any new government would inherit commitments on subsidies, social schemes, infrastructure projects and public-sector obligations. A sharp shift in policy could unsettle investors, while a calibrated transition could allow TVK to combine political change with economic stability.

For the DMK, the trends represent a severe test of its governance record. Stalin’s administration has promoted Tamil Nadu as a trillion-dollar economy contender, pushed investment summits, expanded electronics manufacturing and defended its welfare programmes. Yet voter fatigue, price pressures, local grievances, perceptions of dynastic control and the attraction of Vijay’s outsider image appear to have weakened the ruling party’s hold.

The AIADMK, despite remaining competitive in parts of western and southern Tamil Nadu, also faces a strategic challenge. TVK’s ability to draw votes across urban, semi-urban and rural seats threatens to disrupt the opposition space that the AIADMK had hoped to consolidate. If no party crosses the majority mark, negotiations with smaller parties and alliance partners could determine the next government.

The Google Cloud India AI Hub, being developed with AdaniConneX and Nxtra by Airtel, is designed as a gigawatt-scale private cloud and data centre network across three campuses near the port city. The investment is planned over 2026-2030 and marks Google’s biggest infrastructure commitment in the country, combining hyperscale computing, subsea cable connectivity and clean-energy-linked operations.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu laid the foundation stone for the project on April 28, 2026, alongside Union electronics and IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, state IT and HRD minister Nara Lokesh, Google global infrastructure vice-president Bikash Koley and senior representatives of Adani and Bharti Airtel. The project follows Google’s October 2025 announcement that Visakhapatnam would host its first gigawatt-scale AI hub in the country.

The development is expected to occupy about 600 acres across locations including Tarluvada, Rambilli and Adavivaram. State officials have projected the facility’s operational launch around September 2028, though large data centre campuses of this scale typically move through phased commissioning as power, cooling, network and security systems are completed.

Google’s plan goes beyond a conventional cloud facility. The hub is intended to support AI workloads for services such as enterprise cloud computing, consumer applications, advanced model deployment and data-intensive digital platforms. Its location on the east coast gives Visakhapatnam a strategic role in subsea connectivity, with plans for international cable landings that can improve bandwidth, reduce latency and strengthen links between India, Southeast Asia and global cloud regions.

AdaniConneX, the joint venture between Adani Enterprises and EdgeConneX, is expected to lead major elements of data centre construction and power-linked infrastructure. Nxtra by Airtel will support data centre development, fibre connectivity and cable landing infrastructure. Airtel’s existing telecom backbone and Adani’s energy and infrastructure capabilities give the project domestic execution partners at a time when AI infrastructure is becoming capital-intensive and geopolitically sensitive.

The project also fits into a wider policy push to reduce dependence on overseas compute capacity. Demand for AI infrastructure has expanded rapidly as startups, banks, telecom operators, public agencies and manufacturing groups test generative AI, automation and data analytics. Large language models and AI inference services require dependable access to graphics processing units, high-density power systems, liquid cooling, resilient connectivity and local data storage.

Visakhapatnam’s selection reflects Andhra Pradesh’s attempt to position itself as a technology and logistics corridor after years of competition from established hubs such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune and the National Capital Region. The port city already has an industrial base, naval presence, road and rail connectivity and a coastline suited to cable infrastructure. The state government is banking on the Google project to attract hardware suppliers, energy providers, construction contractors, cloud specialists and AI startups.

Employment claims around the project have been ambitious, with state leaders citing the possibility of hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect jobs through construction, operations, supply chains and associated services. The more immediate employment impact is likely to come from civil works, electrical systems, fibre deployment, facility management, security and engineering support. Higher-skilled roles in cloud architecture, AI operations and chip-level systems may depend on how quickly local training pipelines are aligned with industry needs.

Power and water use will be closely watched. Gigawatt-scale data centres require enormous electricity supply and sophisticated cooling systems, making renewable energy procurement, grid stability and water stewardship critical. Google has said the project will be tied to a long-term clean energy strategy and community programmes covering water, skills, maritime trade modernisation and women-led businesses. Delivering on those commitments will be essential for public acceptance, especially as data centres worldwide face scrutiny over their environmental footprint.

The Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Railways and Information and Broadcasting made the remarks at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Google Cloud India AI Hub in Visakhapatnam, a project carrying an estimated investment of $15 billion. The facility, planned with Adani ConneX and Airtel Nxtra, will include a 1GW hyperscale AI data centre, with about 600 acres allocated across Turluvada, Rambilli and Adavivaram in Andhra Pradesh.

Vaishnaw’s comments reflect a broader policy effort to shift India’s role from assembly-led electronics manufacturing to deeper participation in global technology supply chains. The government is seeking to build domestic capability across finished devices, modules, sub-modules, components, raw materials, tools and manufacturing machinery, a progression seen as essential for reducing import dependence and gaining a larger share of global production.

Mobile phones remain the strongest evidence of that transition. Electronics production has risen from about ₹1.9 lakh crore in 2014-15 to about ₹11.3 lakh crore in 2024-25, while electronics exports climbed from about ₹38,000 crore to about ₹3.3 lakh crore over the same period. Mobile phone production expanded from about ₹18,000 crore to roughly ₹5.5 lakh crore, and mobile phone exports rose from about ₹1,500 crore to nearly ₹2 lakh crore, making the category one of the country’s most visible export successes.

Smartphones have become a leading export product, with Apple, Samsung, Tata Electronics, Foxconn, Dixon Technologies and other manufacturers playing prominent roles in the production ecosystem. The shift has been supported by the Production Linked Incentive scheme for large-scale electronics manufacturing, which helped attract global brands and contract manufacturers to expand capacity. The sector’s next phase, however, will depend less on assembly incentives and more on the availability of components, precision engineering, skilled labour, predictable taxation and faster logistics.

The Google Cloud project adds a digital infrastructure dimension to this manufacturing agenda. Vaishnaw urged global technology companies, including Google, to consider manufacturing servers, GPUs and chips in the country, arguing that the domestic data centre boom could create demand for high-value electronics and advanced computing hardware. Visakhapatnam is being positioned as an artificial intelligence hub, with subsea cable links expected to improve global connectivity through routes connecting Australia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa and the United States.

Semiconductors are the most strategic part of the plan. The India Semiconductor Mission has already helped draw investment into assembly, testing, marking and packaging facilities, chip design centres and fabrication proposals. Approved projects across several states include packaging units, display driver chip capacity and compound semiconductor facilities. The sector remains capital-intensive and technologically demanding, and India is entering a field dominated by Taiwan, South Korea, the United States, Japan, the Netherlands and China. Timelines, execution quality and ecosystem depth will determine whether the country can move beyond packaging and design services into higher-value production.

The government’s target of building a $500 billion domestic electronics ecosystem by 2030-31 is ambitious. It requires not only export-led growth but also a domestic supplier base for printed circuit boards, camera modules, batteries, displays, sensors, connectors, power electronics and semiconductor materials. Without local component depth, headline export gains can mask high import content, limiting value addition and leaving manufacturers exposed to currency swings and global supply disruptions.

Industry executives have generally welcomed the policy focus but continue to point to operational challenges. High logistics costs, customs procedures, dependence on imported inputs, limited component clusters, power quality, land acquisition delays and uneven state-level implementation remain constraints. Global companies also compare India with Vietnam, Mexico, Malaysia and Thailand when allocating production, making policy certainty and execution speed critical.

Labour availability is one of India’s advantages. Electronics manufacturing has generated large-scale employment, including substantial hiring of young women in assembly lines and component facilities. This has helped states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat compete for investment. Yet sustained growth will require improvements in industrial training, factory housing, transport, safety standards and career progression, particularly as production moves from assembly to precision manufacturing.

Geopolitics has created an opening. Companies are diversifying supply chains because of trade tensions, tariff risks, pandemic-era disruptions and concerns over concentration in China. India’s democratic institutions, large market, engineering talent and improving infrastructure make it a credible candidate for “China plus one” strategies. The challenge is to convert interest into anchored manufacturing networks that include suppliers, tooling companies, testing labs, logistics providers and research partnerships.

Laying the Foundation for Long‑Term Growth in Japan Through Seamless Customer Experiences and Trusted Local Expertise

TOKYO, JAPAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 May 2026 – Arrow Electronics (NYSE: ARW), a global technology solutions provider, today announced the integration of Chip One Stop’s e‑commerce capabilities into arrow.com, strengthening its omnichannel customer engagement in Japan. By bringing together Arrow’s global resources, supplier network, and digital tools with Chip One Stop’s trusted local expertise, the integration delivers a more seamless and consistent customer experience while laying a strong foundation for long‑term growth.

Through the integration on arrow.com, customers in Japan gain access to a single, scalable destination that continues to offer Japanese‑language support and local services, while expanding their access to Arrow’s broader ecosystem. Arrow’s Yokohama warehouse will continue to operate as an important logistics facility in Japan, supporting stable and efficient fulfilment. Eligible orders can typically be delivered within 24 hours in Japan and in many South Asian markets, with delivery timelines in other Asia‑Pacific countries varying by destination.

Electronic components and technology solutions are foundational to Japan’s manufacturing, innovation, and technology ecosystems. On arrow.com, customers can access an integrated interface that supports discovery, evaluation, transaction, and related services.

Arrow’s omnichannel engagement approach enables customers to seamlessly manage design, engineering, supply chain services, and fulfillment—helping speed time‑to‑market. Customers benefit from access to engineering expertise, reference designs, bill of materials (BOM) optimization, lifecycle management, and integration support to move from concept to production more efficiently. At the same time, real‑time pricing, inventory visibility, cost‑optimization tools, and advanced analytics enable smarter supply‑chain decisions, risk mitigation, and compliance for critical applications. A more agile digital foundation also supports faster response to urgent needs and evolving market conditions.

“This transition builds on the trusted relationships our customers value in Japan while expanding how we support them,” said Aiden Mitchell, Arrow’s chief growth officer, global semiconductor. “By combining strong local execution with Arrow’s global platform, we are well positioned as a trusted solution provider—supporting customers and suppliers from product inception through supply chain and go‑to‑market execution.”

As part of the integration, chip1stop.com has been retired, with e‑commerce operations now available on arrow.com as of May 4, 2026. Chip One Stop’s operations and services will be integrated into Arrow, with existing services continuing without interruption.

For more information, visit www.arrow.com.
Hashtag: #ArrowElectronics

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Arrow Electronics

Arrow Electronics (NYSE:ARW) sources and engineers technology solutions for thousands of leading manufacturers and service providers. With 2025 sales of $31 billion, Arrow’s portfolio enables technology across major industries and markets. Learn more at arrow.com.

Prof. Dr. Yodchanan spoke about elevating “SPACE-F Batch 7” to the policy level and building awareness, stating that MHESI aims to present food innovation products from the startups in this batch at the upcoming Cabinet meeting. This will allow the Prime Minister to taste them, raising awareness that FoodTech is the nation’s new future. The products will be presented to the Cabinet in the next two weeks.

Regarding the core concept of combining technology with “Thai taste,” Prof. Dr. Yodchanan emphasized that no matter how advanced the technology is, it must maintain the “Nice taste of Thailand.” He cited a “high-tech omelet” he previously tasted as an example, noting that there is still room for improvement to make it taste closer to an authentic Thai omelet so that the technology can truly win over consumers’ hearts.

The MHESI Minister continued that regarding food innovation under the Wellness Economy, this year focuses on using the Wellness Economy as a New Growth Engine. This is not limited strictly to food but includes AI, ICT, and software, aiming to push Thailand into a global Wellness Tourism Hub with support from the BOI in connecting investment opportunities.

Prof. Dr. Yodchanan further stated that regarding the use of biodiversity and quality ingredients (Biodiversity & GI), startups will be encouraged to utilize Thailand’s rich biodiversity and GI products as substitutes for imported raw materials. This will help reduce costs and create a unique identity.

“As for connecting the ‘Thinker’ with the ‘Doer,’ this program emphasizes linking startups with large industrial corporations and investors. This helps startups in the Accelerator group advance toward Series A or B funding, while helping the Incubator group learn business and pitching experiences from their seniors to cross the business ‘Death Valley.’ Furthermore, regarding food and nutrition security in the era of war: in the current global conditions facing wartime situations, Food Security and Nutrition Security are vital. This program is an opportunity for startups to create innovations that help solve problems for the whole world, with the government working closely with SPACE-F to create new services and products,” the MHESI Minister said.

However, “SPACE-F Batch 7” features 20 participating startups from 10 countries, focusing on the Proof of Concept (POC) strategy to ensure they can tangibly grow toward commercialization on an international scale.

Dr. Krithpaka Boonfueng, Executive Director of the National Innovation Agency (NIA), stated that NIA aims to strengthen the potential of startups and innovative entrepreneurs to overcome business crises and grow commercially in a tangible way. Over the past 6 years, the SPACE-F program has concretely reinforced its role as a regional food innovation hub by incubating and accelerating over 100 startups from 18 countries worldwide, generating a total funding value of over 5.1 billion THB. For the SPACE-F Year 7 program, it marks another major milestone of leapfrog growth, setting a new international record with an all-time high of 204 applicants, continuously increasing from 156 in Cohort 6 and 148 in Cohort 2, reflecting the confidence of global startups in the program’s potential. Concurrently, the program has significantly expanded its international reach, with applicants from 57 countries worldwide, up from 34 countries in the previous cohort, affirming that SPACE-F is a truly global platform connecting and driving world food innovation.

“The SPACE-F program is considered a vital mechanism in driving the development of a strong and comprehensive foodtech startup ecosystem by systematically connecting knowledge, technology, and the industrial sector together. Particularly, it provides opportunities for startups to co-develop and test real products (Proof of Concept: POC) with large corporate partners, as well as access expert networks and world-class infrastructure. This includes testing protein innovations focused on appearance, freshness, and taste with Thai Union; developing modern health and nutrition solutions with ThaiBev and Nestlé; utilizing deep-tech research laboratories from Mahidol University; and enhancing fundraising capabilities from Foodland Ventures, which plays a crucial role in reducing business risks and effectively increasing the chances of commercialization. For SPACE-F Year 7, it aims to elevate startup development through 2 main programs: the Incubator Program, which focuses on laying business foundations and developing prototypes into market-ready products, and the Accelerator Program, which focuses on accelerating business expansion through connections with strategic partners and investors. This covers 7 key areas of the food industry: 1) Personalized Nutrition, 2) Future Protein, 3) Circular Food Systems, 4) Smart Manufacturing, 5) Sustainable Production, 6) Food Safety, and 7) Novel Consumer Experience, to build high-potential startups capable of developing quality new products that directly meet market demands, ready to compete and grow sustainably on the global stage.”

Ms. Sirichit Jiraruangkiat, Senior Director – Group Innovation at Thai Union Group PCL, revealed, “As a co-founding partner of the SPACE-F program, Thai Union Group PCL continues to drive the development of Thailand’s foodtech startup ecosystem. We aim to support breakthrough growth by promoting the development and testing of innovations at the industrial level, particularly through the Proof of Concept (POC) process, to elevate the standards of future protein products to compete internationally. Thai Union prioritizes the application of modern food production and preservation technologies, covering everything from maintaining product quality and freshness and developing appealing appearances to sensory research to create textures and flavors that effectively meet the demands of global consumers. Simultaneously, the SPACE-F program remains committed to a ‘No Equity Taken’ approach, allowing startups to retain full ownership of their innovations, maintain business agility, and grow independently and sustainably in the long term.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pasit Pakawatpanurut, Deputy Dean for Research and Innovation, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, further added, “With expertise in food science, nutrition, biotechnology, and related fields, Mahidol University serves as an academic powerhouse and innovation infrastructure, providing startups with access to advanced laboratories, pilot plants, and modern research equipment. They also receive in-depth consultation from a team of expert researchers to successfully transition research into products that truly meet global market demands (Lab-to-Market). This collaboration is therefore a key mechanism in driving sustainable food innovation and enhancing Thailand’s competitiveness as a global foodtech hub. Mahidol University’s involvement in the SPACE-F program also plays a vital role in strengthening the country’s foodtech startup ecosystem in the long run.”

In addition, another key partner is Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, which places great importance on continuous research and development, believing it to be essential for startups. As a sponsor of the SPACE-F program, they are pleased to be part of an ecosystem that enhances the potential of foodtech startups and provides business and technological guidance to help startups discover solutions that truly meet the needs of the global food market.

Ms. Jenica Conde Cruz, Business Manager – Cereal Partners Worldwide & Incubator at Nestlé (Thai) Ltd., also stated, “Nestlé, a global leader in food and beverages, plays a vital role as a strategic partner of the SPACE-F program. We aim to elevate foodtech startups through the transfer of Research & Development (R&D) knowledge and product development experience under the ‘Good food, Good life’ concept. Nestlé also provides in-depth consultation to support the development of products that meet Nutrition, Health, and Wellness needs, while promoting the use of innovation to tackle global food industry challenges. In parallel, Nestlé also drives the development of innovations that align with sustainability goals by opening opportunities for startups to learn together with experts from our global research center network, in areas of food preservation technology, eco-friendly packaging, and responsible sourcing.”

Victor Chen, CEO of Foodland Ventures Co. closed with, “Foodland Ventures, a leading Venture Capital firm and Accelerator from Taiwan, has joined as a strategic partner in the SPACE-F program to push foodtech startups to expand their businesses into international markets. We aim to act as a bridge connecting innovation from Taiwan with food industry networks in Thailand and Southeast Asia. With expertise in key technologies such as Restaurant Automation, Alternative Protein, and Smart Supply Chain, Foodland Ventures is ready to support startups through access to the Taiwanese market and resources, providing investment and business strategy consultation, and connecting them with the industrial sector to test solutions in real-world environments. This collaboration marks a significant step in building a ‘FoodTech Corridor’ between Thailand and Taiwan to elevate startup potential and drive the food industry toward a sustainable global future.”

The “SPACE-F Year 7” program also introduced 20 startups from 10 countries worldwide: South Korea, Spain, Canada, USA/Argentina, Australia, Singapore, UK, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, and Thailand, selected for this year’s program. All will have the opportunity to co-develop and test real innovations with leading industry partners, covering product development, industrial-level testing, and commercialization in the real market

Such collaboration is a key highlight of the program, providing startups the opportunity to test technology and innovations in real-world environments, reducing development limitations, and increasing the chances of creating business models that accurately meet market demands.

10 FoodTech Startups Joining the Accelerator Program

1. Terra Bioindustries Inc (Canada): Upcycles agricultural and food industry waste into high-value ingredients such as sugar, protein, and fiber for use in the food, biotech, and chemical industries.
2. Nucaps (Spain): Develops functional protein ingredients using microencapsulation technology to wrap active substances and probiotics, enhancing nutritional value, reducing costs, and improving taste to effectively promote consumer health.
3. BeNatureBioLab (South Korea): Develops functional ingredients using nano and microencapsulation technology from natural proteins to wrap active substances and probiotics, increasing the stability, absorption, and efficiency of substances in food, supplements, and health products.
4. Kinava (South Korea): Converts food waste into biofertilizer, biochar, and biogas within hours using HydroThermal Carbonization (HTC) technology, which reduces odor, energy use, and emissions.
5. ComexSoft (Spain): A near real-time market intelligence platform that collects and organizes retail data, matching similar products specifically developed for accurate decision-making.
6. PROTINOS (Thailand): High-protein noodles made from egg whites and soybeans containing complete essential amino acids, created using enzyme incubation techniques, serving as food to help care for and protect health.
7. SicPama (South Korea): A QR ordering and payment platform with a CRM system that links social media with actual service usage and repeat visits, helping restaurants measure returns and increase revenue.
8. Nourish Ingredients (Australia): High-performance animal-free fats created via precision fermentation to solve the taste and texture issues of plant-based alternative foods by mimicking the key fats found in meat and dairy products.
9. Kresko RNAtech (USA/Argentina): Nutrients from biological RNA found in natural foods, developed by AI and biotechnology to be more stable and better absorbed, for use in dietary supplements and health products.
10. Agrifreeze (Singapore): Develops freezing technology using Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) to control the formation of small ice crystals, reducing food damage and maintaining quality close to fresh products.

10 FoodTech Startups Joining the Incubator Program

1. Eatwellconcept (Thailand): An AI-powered personalized therapeutic diet platform for NCD patients, offering real-time nutritional guidance by dietitians to improve health and quality of life.
2. AmaranthLab (UK): Protein ingredients from amaranth for GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) nutrition to control blood sugar levels and satiety, for use in various functional food products.
3. Openfarming (Saudi Arabia): An AI operating system for food distributors that converts orders from multiple channels into real-time data, enabling automated demand forecasting and dynamic inventory management without changing existing workflows.
4. Zuppar Reborn (Thailand): Biodegradable fruit and bakery stickers made from pineapple waste, replacing plastic labels with an alternative that can decompose into fertilizer.
5. VeriPura (Thailand/Singapore): An AI and Blockchain platform for automated document management and product traceability, making food exports to Europe easier and more compliant with regulations (EU).
6. YiXingYuan (Taiwan): A modular small-scale fruit processing factory (Factory-in-a-box) utilizing High Voltage Electric Field (HVEF) technology to process fruits directly at the source, preserving product quality while reducing energy use, costs, and spoilage.
7. JOLA (Thailand): Vitamin-infused jelly pet food that develops DIY treat products, such as jellies for dogs and cats, focusing on natural ingredients, good nutrition, and creating a shared experience between owners and pets.
8. UPLI (UK): A precision fermentation platform to create functional proteins with characteristics similar to human breast milk, used to increase nutritional value in food at an industrial scale.
9. Emerald Plast (Thailand): Biodegradable food materials and packaging made from starch and bioplastics to replace traditional plastics, reducing environmental impact and enhancing sustainability image.
10. Squizify (Thailand): A digital food safety platform integrating software and IoT devices to automatically track, monitor, and manage food business standards, complete with real-time data analysis.

Hashtag: #NIA #NationalInnovationAgency

https://www.nia.or.th/

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.