METI Holds the Zest Thailand/Thailand-Japan Fast Track Pitch Event 2025 in Bangkok to Accelerate Global Open Innovation of Japanese Companies, Startups and SMEs

1. Overview

METI and JETRO, together with co-organizers including the Ministry of Energy of Thailand and the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), held the Zest Thailand/Thailand-Japan Fast Track Pitch Event 2025 in Bangkok on March 5.

Before an audience of approximately 180 (plus 100 online) participants, 17 finalists from Japan, Thailand, and other countries presented their proposals on the open innovation challenges provided by the six challenge owners.

Prior to the presentations, Mr. MATSUO Takehiko, Vice Minister for International Affairs, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, Mr. OTAKA Masato, Ambassador of Japan to Thailand, Mr. KURODA Junichiro, President of JETRO Bangkok, Mr. Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General, Thailand Board of Investment, and Dr. Sompop Pattanariyankool, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Energy, Ministry of Energy of Thailand, each delivered opening remarks, stressing the importance of strengthening cooperation for the creation of innovation between the two countries.

2. Pitch session by the finalists

During the application period, approximately 120 proposals from around the world were submitted responding to the challenges provided by the six challenge owner companies from Japan and Thailand. From among these, 17 finalists selected by the challenge owners presented their proposals.

Each of the six challenge owners selected the best award-winning companies, and the one best presenting company of the entire event was determined by a vote of attendees to receive an award.

Please refer to JETRO’s special website for the detailed challenge statements and finalists (below).
Zest Thailand Thailand-Japan Fast Track Pitch Event 2025

(Reference) About Past Events

METI Holds the Singapore-Japan Fast Track Pitch Event 2024 in Singapore to Accelerate Global Open Innovation of Japanese Companies/Startups/SMEs
METI Holds the Inno Vietnam-Japan Fast Track Pitch Event 2024 in Hanoi to Accelerate Global Open Innovation of Japanese Companies/Startups/SMEs
METI Holds the Indonesia-Japan Fast Track Pitch Event 2024 in Jakarta to Accelerate Global Open Innovation of Japanese Companies/Startups/SMEs
 

3. (Reference) About the ASEAN-Japan Co-Creation Fast Track Initiative

Taking the opportunity of the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan friendship and cooperation in 2023, METI and JETRO launched the ASEAN-Japan Co-Creation Fast Track Initiative to support the creation of open innovation through collaborations among startups, SMEs, and large corporations from both ASEAN and Japan. This initiative proposes a new format of cooperation with ASEAN countries towards the creation of new innovations.

Under the ASEAN-Japan Co-Creation Fast Track Initiative, startups and SMEs from ASEAN and Japan will have the opportunity to (1) receive support not only from Japanese organizations such as JETRO, but also from the government agencies of ASEAN countries, and (2) access not only large Japanese corporations but also a wide range of innovation ecosystems, including global companies based in ASEAN.

Division in Charge

Asia and Pacific Division, Trade Policy Bureau