Chula Launches “Impact SE Thailand” Platform to Drive Social Enterprise and Sustainable Economic Growth 

Chulalongkorn University, in collaboration with the Area-Based Development Research Management and Support Unit (PMU-A), officially held a press conference to announce the establishment of the “Impact SE Thailand – National Incubation & Acceleration Platform” on February 20, 2026, at Chulalongkorn University. 

The press conference was presided over by Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, joined by Associate Professor Dr. Pornanong Aramwit, Vice President of the University, and Associate Professor Dr. Poon Thiengburanathum, Deputy Director for Organizational Strategy and Planning at PMUA (Program Management Unit for Research and Innovation to Enhance National Competitiveness and Area-Based Development – Public Organization). Representatives from government agencies, the private sector, investor networks, social entrepreneurs, researchers, and civil society also attended in large numbers.

Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat stated that research achievements and academic outputs are not created by universities alone but through collaboration across all sectors. The Impact SE Thailand Platform serves as a central mechanism to strengthen the economy—not belonging to any single organization but linking upstream to downstream stakeholders so that rural farmers and consumers can connect within one integrated system. This collaboration across business levels is expected to drive Thailand’s economic growth. 

“The greatness of a business is not measured solely by revenue figures, but by its heart. A truly great business creates a positive social impact for communities and genuinely contributes to society. This platform is therefore designed as a model for creating value for businesses across Thailand, emphasizing appreciation of products and the development of people’s mindset beyond mere financial profit,” he said. 

Associate Professor Dr. Pornanong Aramwit explained that the Impact SE Thailand Platform prioritizes community needs. Research questions must arise from genuine collaboration with communities. The university encourages researchers to work with other sectors rather than conducting research independently based only on personal interests, ensuring broader practical application. Projects eligible for support must demonstrate readiness in four areas: research readiness, researcher commitment, market demand, and access to funding, to ensure sustainability. 

She added that Chulalongkorn University’s Innovation Hub will support patenting, intellectual property management, technology transfer, access to funding sources, coordination with investors, community mentoring, and the expansion of university knowledge into communities. The platform will also emphasize storytelling—building product strengths and differentiation through research and narratives that demonstrate care from upstream to downstream—thereby attracting investors and consumers. 

Associate Professor Dr. Poon Thiengburanathum of PMUA highlighted the importance of applying research and innovation in real local contexts. Establishing a national platform that integrates area-based data, research, and business support mechanisms will enable social enterprises to scale and generate sustainable structural change. 

Mr. Akkarapol Leelajindamai, Director of the Office of Social Enterprise Promotion, delivered a keynote address on “Directions for Advancing Social Enterprises in Thailand.” He emphasized that social enterprises are becoming a crucial mechanism for reducing inequality and fostering long-term structural sustainability. A national platform integrating data, research, and funding sources will enhance Thai entrepreneurs’ competitiveness and global impact. 

The event also featured a panel discussion titled “Seed the Future: Shaping Social Enterprises through the Impact SE Thailand Platform Perspective,” with experts from multiple sectors. The discussion explored area demand analysis to identify potential clusters, operating model design, and fundraising strategies from domestic and international investor networks under the concept of impact investment, which seeks to generate “social returns” alongside financial returns. 

To demonstrate the platform’s potential for structural transformation, pilot projects will begin based on real area demand analysis. A key example is the Thai cocoa value chain enhancement project, showcasing how university research and innovation can be practically applied—from improving production quality and creating standards and added value for agricultural products to connecting entrepreneur networks and markets, increasing income, and strengthening farmers and communities sustainably. 

The platform also extends to pilot initiatives in energy crops and animal feed, such as promoting Napier grass cultivation to support Thailand’s green economic transition. Using area-based data to design systemic solutions, the initiative integrates research, technology, and market mechanisms to add value to the agricultural sector while generating income and employment and advancing the low-carbon economy at the local level. 

These pilot projects serve as proof of concept for the platform’s accelerated growth phase—from area demand analysis and intensive entrepreneur incubation to investor linkage and long-term business and social impact expansion. Impact SE Thailand is not limited to agriculture or energy crops but is open to social enterprises across various industries, including food, health and wellness, and businesses aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

The establishment of the Impact SE Thailand National Incubation & Acceleration Platform marks a significant step in moving Thailand from “research and policy” to “practical implementation on the ground,” leveraging social enterprises as a new mechanism for long-term economic and social development. 

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