SPACE-F Webinar to Guide Asia & Australia FoodTech Founders on Regional Scale-Up

The pre-event session aims to introduce regional FoodTech founders to Thailand’s innovation ecosystem and the structure of SPACE-F Batch 7.

Thailand-based FoodTech incubator and accelerator SPACE-F will host its second regional webinar for Asia and Australia on 11 February 2026, as part of its outreach programme for Batch 7.

Titled “SPACE-F Batch 7: Asia & Australia Edition”, the online session aims to introduce FoodTech startups in the region to Thailand’s innovation ecosystem and outline how the SPACE-F programme supports market entry and scale-up across Asia. The webinar will take place from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM (GMT+7) and will be held live on Zoom.

Thailand’s role in regional FoodTech growth

SPACE-F is a public–private initiative supported by Thailand’s National Innovation Agency (NIA), Thai Union Group, and Mahidol University, alongside industry and ecosystem partners. The programme operates on a zero-equity model, providing support without taking ownership in participating startups.

According to organisers, the Asia & Australia Edition webinar will focus on Thailand’s position as a regional base for FoodTech companies, particularly those looking to test solutions, build partnerships, and expand across Southeast Asia and neighbouring markets.

“The session is designed to help founders understand how Thailand’s infrastructure, policies, and industry networks can support regional growth,” SPACE-F said in a briefing note ahead of the event.

Programme overview and ecosystem insights

During the webinar, SPACE-F representatives will provide a detailed overview of Batch 7, explaining how the programme is structured and what participating startups can expect at different stages of development. This will include an outline of the incubator and accelerator tracks, programme timelines, and the types of support available as startups move from early validation to market entry and scale-up.

The session will also examine how Thailand’s FoodTech ecosystem functions in practice. Speakers are expected to explain how government agencies, universities, corporate partners, and investors work together to support innovation and commercialisation. This includes policy support for startups, access to research and testing facilities, opportunities to collaborate with established food companies, and pathways to funding and regional expansion.

By presenting these elements together, the webinar aims to help founders understand not only the programme itself, but also how SPACE-F fits within Thailand’s broader FoodTech ecosystem — and how startups can leverage this environment to develop, test, and scale their solutions.

Speakers bringing regional and cross-sector perspectives

The webinar will feature speakers from government, academia, startups, and the investment community, offering a multi-dimensional view of the FoodTech landscape across Asia and Australia.

• Montha Kaihirun, Director of Startup Promotion at the National Innovation Agency (NIA), plays a central role in shaping Thailand’s startup and innovation ecosystem. Her work focuses on policy development, ecosystem-building initiatives, and programmes that support both local and international startups in accessing funding, infrastructure, and market opportunities in Thailand.
• Dr. Chris Aurand, Group Discovery & Development Lead at Thai Union Group, represents the corporate and industry perspective. Thai Union is one of Thailand’s largest global food companies and an active partner in FoodTech innovation. Aurand works closely with startups and research partners to explore new technologies, commercial applications, and pathways from innovation to market.
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Viriya Taecharungroj, Director at the Institute for Technology and Innovation Management (INT), Mahidol University, brings an academic and innovation management perspective to the session. His work focuses on how organisations manage technology and innovation, as well as how universities and research institutions can support startups and industry partners in commercialising new ideas.
• Thitirat Pang Sittakaradej, Principal at ADB Ventures, will share insights from an investment standpoint. ADB Ventures is the venture arm of the Asian Development Bank and focuses on startups addressing sustainability and development challenges across Asia. Her participation is expected to shed light on how investors evaluate FoodTech startups operating in emerging and regional markets.
• Nontapan Sitthichotlertpakdee, CTO and Co-founder of LOCOL, will represent the startup founder perspective. As a SPACE-F alumnus, he is expected to share firsthand experience on piloting technology, working with partners in Thailand, and navigating the challenges of scaling within the regional FoodTech ecosystem.
• Michelle Che, Founding Member of TIGA MILK, will also join the session to discuss her experience as part of a SPACE-F alumni company. TIGA MILK focuses on alternative dairy solutions, and Che is expected to share insights into product development, market entry, and collaboration within Thailand’s FoodTech landscape.

Together, the speakers are expected to address topics such as regional market entry strategies, collaboration between startups and corporates, the role of research institutions in innovation, and how investors assess FoodTech opportunities across Asia.

What participants can expect

The one-hour webinar is designed to give FoodTech founders in Asia and Australia a practical understanding of how Thailand’s ecosystem and the SPACE-F programme can support their growth and regional expansion.

Participants will first receive an overview of the SPACE-F ecosystem, including how the programme brings together government agencies, corporate partners, academic institutions, and investors to support FoodTech startups at different stages of development. Speakers will explain how these relationships translate into practical support, such as access to industry expertise, testing environments, and partnership opportunities.

The session will also explore Thailand’s market advantages as a base for FoodTech innovation. This will include discussion around infrastructure, policy frameworks, and Thailand’s role as a regional hub connecting Southeast Asia with broader Asian and global markets. Founders will gain insight into why Thailand is often used as a pilot market before wider regional rollout.

An investor perspective will be provided to help startups understand how venture capital firms assess FoodTech opportunities in the region. Topics are expected to include funding expectations, scalability considerations, and factors investors look for when startups plan to enter or expand within Asian markets.

In addition, programme alumni will share their experiences working within the Thai FoodTech ecosystem. These founder-led discussions are expected to cover practical lessons on building local partnerships, adapting products for regional markets, and navigating operational and regulatory challenges.

The webinar will conclude with a walkthrough of the SPACE-F Batch 7 application process, outlining the selection criteria for both the incubator and accelerator tracks. This segment will help founders understand what the programme looks for at different stages of growth and how to prepare a stronger application.

Strengthening regional participation

By focusing on Asia and Australia, SPACE-F is shifting the conversation from global ambition to regional execution. The upcoming webinar reflects how FoodTech growth in this part of the world increasingly depends on access to practical pilot markets, cross-border partnerships, and ecosystems that connect innovation with commercial realities.

For founders navigating fragmented regulations, funding expectations, and supply chains across Asia, the session offers a chance to understand how Thailand’s FoodTech ecosystem functions in practice — from policy and infrastructure to corporate collaboration and investor alignment. It also provides a clearer picture of how a zero-equity programme like SPACE-F can support expansion without adding ownership pressure at an early stage.

Startups interested in scaling across Asia and Australia can register for the SPACE-F Batch 7: Asia & Australia Edition webinar on 11 February 2026 to evaluate whether the programme aligns with their growth strategy and regional plans.

Quick takeaways

• SPACE-F is hosting its Asia & Australia Edition webinar on 11 February 2026 as part of its outreach for Batch 7.
• The session positions Thailand as a regional base and pilot market for FoodTech startups looking to expand across Asia.
• Batch 7 follows a zero-equity model, offering support without taking ownership in participating startups.
• The webinar will outline incubator and accelerator pathways, helping founders understand which track suits their stage of growth.
• Speakers from government, corporates, academia, startups, and venture capital will share perspectives on market entry, partnerships, and funding.
• SPACE-F alumni, including LOCOL and TIGA MILK, will discuss practical lessons from scaling within Thailand’s FoodTech ecosystem.
• Founders will receive clear guidance on the Batch 7 application process and what the programme looks for in regional startups.
• The session offers founders a chance to assess whether Thailand and SPACE-F align with their regional expansion strategy.