Chulalongkorn Launches Social Innovation Incubation for 17 Projects to Expand Research towards Social Innovation 

On June 12, 2025, at Room 202, Chamchuri 4 Building, the Chulalongkorn University Social Innovation Hub (CU SiHub) organized workshops for recipients of social innovation funds to enhance knowledge and expand research towards social innovation.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vithaya Kulsomboon, committee member of the Project to Support the Development of Business Models for Market-Ready Social Innovation Prototypes, CU SiHub, congratulated the recipients of the 2025 Social Innovation Funds, which consist of 17 projects in total. These include the Prototype Fund and the Seed Fund. The selected projects will enter an innovation incubation process and have the opportunity to present their progress and outcomes, with the goal of further developing them into commercially viable social services or innovations. 

The Prototype Fund was awarded to 12 projects as follows:  

1. “The Development of Multi-Sensory Stimulation Device Prototype of Thailand” by Assoc. Prof. Capt. Dr. Siriphan Sasat from the Faculty of Nursing, Chulalongkorn University  
2. “The Development of Heat Herb Ball Therapy Bags to Reduce Pain and Numbness in Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy” by Asst. Prof. Pol. Sub.Lt. Dr. Pachanut Nunthaitaweekul from the Faculty of Nursing, Chulalongkorn University 
3. “Prebiotic Beverages from Community Palm Fruit Juice: Sustainable Economy and Health Upgrade” by Prof. Dr. Supaart Sirikantaramas from the Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University  
4. “The Development of Photoresin from Natural Rubber Latex for 3D Printing to Add Value to Para Rubber in Thailand” by Asst. Prof. Dr. Benjaporn Narupai from the Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University  
5. “The Development of Ethylene Removal Material from Titanium Dioxide to Extend Storage Life of Vegetables and Fruits” by Dr. Preecha Kittikhunnatham from the Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University 
6. “The Development of Natural Fiber Processing for Green Textiles and Sustainable Composite Materials” by Dr. Varol Intasanta from the Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University 
7. “Ventilated Brick Block Products from Mussel Shell Waste: Transforming Marine Waste into Alternative Construction Materials” by Dr. Runda Aduldejcharas from the Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University  
8. “FungiCheck Pro: Ready-to-Use Self-Testing Airborne Fungal Detection Kits” by Dr. Navaporn Worasilchai from the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University 
9. “The BasilBoost: Good Health Starts with Immunity” by Assoc. Prof. Aphichart Karnchanatat from The Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering 
10. “The Commercial Scale-Up of Mushroom-Based Rice Seasoning Powder as Functional Food for Children and Plant-Based Food Consumers” by Dr. Piroonporn Srimongkol from The Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering 
11. “Biochar-Based Grass Growing Material: Innovation for Sustainable Urban Green Spaces” by Dr. Bualuang Faiyue from The Sustainable Environment Research Institute (SERI), Chulalongkorn University 
12. “Play Safe: Sex Educational Board Game for Thai Youth” by Dr. Sawaros Thanapornsangsuth from Chulalongkorn School of Integrated Innovation 

The Seed Fund was awarded to 5 projects as follows:  

1. “EcoSphere Lab: Medical Waste Management System Based on Circular Economy Principles” by Dr. Saran Keeratihattayakorn from the Faculty of Engineering  
2. “Cocoa-Based Mineral Supplements Innovation for Low-Carbon Livestock Farming” by Asst. Prof. Dr. Tansiphorn Na Nan from The School of Agricultural Resources, Chulalongkorn University   
3. “The Development of Production Process and Business Model for Heat-Reducing Bricks from Local Power Plant Industrial Waste in the Eastern Economic Corridor” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lapyote Prasittisopin from the Faculty of Science 
4. “The Wat Arun Metaverse: Cultural Capital Transformation for Sustainable Tourism and Lifelong Learning” by Dr. Ratchaneekorn Ratchatakorntrakoon from The Institute of Thai Studies  
5. “Repids: The Production of Organic Pest Control Substances from Used Vegetable Oil by Communities to Promote Organic Farming” by Dr. Nattapong Tuntiwiwattanapun from The Sustainable Environment Research Institute (SERI) 

The Social Innovation-Led Enterprise incubation project training consists of 4 classes: “Winning Story Telling Strategy” by Asst. Prof. Dr. Ake Pattaratanakun, Head of Marketing Department and Chair of Master of Science Program in Brand Management and Marketing (English), Chulalongkorn University Business School, “Understand the Sustainability Trends” by Mr. Chayut Sakunkoo, CEO of Tact Social Consulting; “Finance Fundamentals for Early-Stage Businesses”; and “From Idea to Impact: The Path of Turning Research into Business”.  

The Social Innovation-Led Enterprise incubation project accepts project proposals that address social, cultural, and environmental problems with emphasis on sustainable impact, covering 5 main topics: Climate Change, Circular Economy, Biodiversity, Health & Well-Being, and Soft Power-Culture & Inclusivity Society. The project aims to develop potential and promote capabilities in entrepreneurial skills and social innovation that can sustainably address social research challenges. It supports innovations at the concept-to-prototype development stage, helping researchers explore and experiment with preliminary concepts that have the potential to create positive impacts on society or the environment. Additionally, it enables the development of research prototypes that meet users’ needs and allows researchers to develop business models toward social entrepreneurship.

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