From Thailand to Tokyo:
Charting a Global Growth
Journey Through Scale Up to Global: JAPAN
In an era where technological competition is accelerating across the globe, Thai startups and technology SMEs are proving that they are not just riding the waves of innovation—they are creating them. From advanced healthcare solutions for aging societies to workforce upskilling, eco-friendly materials, and smart city infrastructure, Thai innovators are building tangible answers to modern societal challenges.
Recognizing this immense potential, the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization), or NIA, recently led a premier delegation of Thai startups to Tokyo, Japan. Participating in the Collaboration & Market Expansion Program at SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026—one of the world’s most prestigious innovation hubs—these entrepreneurs stepped onto the international stage, ready to turn local breakthroughs into global benchmarks.
However, this journey to SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 is far more than a single international showcase; it is a vital milestone in a continuous growth trajectory meticulously mapped out by NIA. From rigorous market preparation and strategic matchmaking to driving commercial entry into specialized Scale Up Programs, NIA’s roadmap is designed for measurable impact—expanding markets, securing investments, generating revenue, and fueling the Thai economy. It beautifully illustrates NIA’s evolution into a Global Connector, seamlessly weaving Thai brilliance into the fabric of the international innovation ecosystem.
This venture is an intentional bridge into Japan’s deep-tech and business networks, backed by strategic alliances with three key powerhouses:
- Leave a Nest: Accelerates the convergence of academic research, breakthrough technology, and corporate enterprises, offering startups direct access to deep-tech expertise.
- TAKANAWA GATEWAY Link Scholars’ Hub (LiSH): Opens vital doorways to venture capital, real-world regulatory sandboxes, and networks of leading corporations.
- Tokyo SME Support Center: Serves as the commercial anchor, providing essential guidance on local regulations, compliance, and localized business matchmaking.
Together, these partnerships construct a seamless launchpad spanning incubation, real-world validation, capital injection, and market entry in Japan. It underscores NIA’s pivotal role as a global conduit, proving beyond a doubt that Thai innovation possesses the vision, agility, and readiness to compete and thrive on the world stage.
From Preventive Health to a Better Quality of Life
As Japan navigates the complexities of a super-aging society, preventive healthcare technology has emerged as a high-potential frontier. Addressing this, VTK Inno Group Co., Ltd. showcases “Haruna”, a medical food innovation featuring 100% natural prebiotic vegetable powder. Specially formulated to balance gut microbiota, Haruna alleviates chronic constipation—a frequent health concern for the elderly, bedridden patients, and mobility-constrained individuals.
The true hallmark of Haruna lies in its rigorous clinical studies and scientific research. By aligning perfectly with the Japanese market’s exacting standards for safety and scientific validation, it stands as a prime example of how nutrition science can elevate life quality sustainably while generating profound economic value.
EdTech & Human Resources: Turning Knowledge into Corporate Assets
Japan’s shifting demographics also pose labor shortages and knowledge-transfer challenges, particularly in high-skill industrial and service sectors where specialized expertise is paramount. To bridge this gap, YVR Co., Ltd. introduces a cutting-edge Virtual Reality (VR) platform designed for immersive corporate training.
By simulating real-world operational scenarios, the platform digitizes and institutionalizes veteran expertise, overcoming traditional constraints of time, location, and instructional staff. This not only optimizes training costs but ensures a company’s vital institutional knowledge is preserved and seamlessly passed down, solving a critical pain point for modern Japanese enterprises.
Transforming Agricultural Waste into Materials of the Future
Embracing the circular economy, Evergen Technologies Co., Ltd. illustrates the power of converting domestic agricultural resources into premium bio-materials. Under their visionary brand “PiLeatha”, they have developed a plastic-free, chemical-safe leather alternative crafted from pineapple leaf fibers and natural rubber.
Boasting qualities that closely rival genuine leather, PiLeatha can be integrated into fashion, automotive interiors, and lifestyle products. This eco-innovation resonates deeply with the global ESG movement and Japanese corporations actively seeking sustainable materials to meet long-term carbon reduction targets.
Thai Deep Tech: Building the Cities and Industries of Tomorrow
Beyond health and sustainability, Thai startups are deploying sophisticated Deep Tech and Smart City solutions designed to build future-ready urban ecosystems.
- The Foundation of Data: The transition to a smart city relies on precise data. Cleantech and Beyond Co., Ltd.has engineered the Digital Temperature Indicator (DTI), an intelligent thermal sensing device that allows factories and critical infrastructure to monitor equipment in hard-to-reach zones, enabling highly efficient condition-based maintenance.
- Unifying Customer Experiences: Transforming data into commercial value, Primoworld Co., Ltd. optimizes corporate engagement with an advanced CRM and Omnichannel platform that unifies customer data streams to elevate service experiences.
- Smart Mobility & Spaces: For urban space optimization, Infilight Co., Ltd. utilizes AI and automated systems to power smart parking management, reducing urban congestion. In step with green transitions, Nextere Co., Ltd.drives low-carbon cities through compact electric vehicles, intelligent battery management systems, and smart energy infrastructure.
- Spatial Intelligence & Green Auditing: Precise spatial intelligence is provided by Graffity Technologies Co., Ltd., which fuses AI and Augmented Reality to create 3D maps and Digital Twins, allowing enterprises to simulate and manage large-scale spaces efficiently. Simultaneously, environmental transparency is streamlined by Vekin (Thailand) Co., Ltd. through their AI Carbon Auditor platform, automating carbon footprint tracking and ESG reporting to meet strict international compliance standards.
- Smart Transit & Global Logistics: Enhancing urban mobility, VIA Group (Thailand) Co., Ltd. presents ViaBus, a widely adopted real-time transit tracking platform expanding into holistic urban mobility solutions. Finally, streamlining the global supply chain, ZPS Corporation Co., Ltd. leverages AI through its ZUPPORTS platform to automate international trade and logistics documentation, effortlessly cutting through supply chain complexities.
Collectively, these startups do not operate in silos; they are weaving an interconnected blueprint for future cities—spanning data, energy, transit, and sustainability—mirroring Japan’s ambitious push toward Society 5.0 and a carbon-neutral future.
Unlocking Business Horizons with “Scale Up to Global: JAPAN”
To fast-track this market entry and prepare Thai entrepreneurs for Japan’s highly sophisticated business ecosystem, NIA launched its flagship initiative: “Scale Up to Global: JAPAN”. The program is deliberately curated to empower high-potential Thai startups to scale locally, facilitate deep business matchmaking, refine innovations for Japanese consumers, and tap into international venture capital.
The momentum of Scale Up to Global: JAPAN is powered by strategic alliances across Japan’s premier public and private sectors:
- Leave a Nest: Accelerating the convergence of research, tech, and corporate investment.
- Fukuoka City: Japan’s startup capital, offering streamlined regulatory benefits and localized setup support.
- Ibaraki Prefecture: A renowned deep-tech and R&D hub, opening doors to co-investment and infrastructure.
Representing this cohort are five stellar Thai startups proving their international mettle: TIE Smart Solutions Co., Ltd., VIA Group (Thailand) Co., Ltd., iBotnoi Co., Ltd., InnoPhytotech Co., Ltd., and AliveLoop Co., Ltd.
This initiative reflects the proactive mandate of NIA to propel Thai tech onto the global stage. By helping entrepreneurs navigate corporate cultures, clear regulatory hurdles, and convert breakthroughs into sustainable commercial success, NIA is ensuring that Thai innovation doesn’t just visit the global arena—it leaves an indelible mark.
