CU Innovation Hub: Empowering Start-ups for a Sustainable and Low-Carbon Future

CU Innovation Hub (CU I Hub) was established in 2017 with the vision of becoming a driving force in fostering high-quality start-ups that respond to the Thailand 4.0 policy. Its mission is to develop a new generation of innovators and entrepreneurs, linking research, technology, intellectual property, and business incubation with real markets. The Hub also aims to create innovations that generate economic and social impact while advancing a low-carbon economy and green technologies. [ https://cuinnovationhub.com/ ] [ https://www.facebook.com/cuihub/ ]

Current Operations of CU Innovation Hub

1. Innovation and Entrepreneurial Talent Development – Training students, staff, and researchers to acquire creative problem-solving skills and apply technology to generate value.
2. Start-up and Innovation Support – Assisting start-ups from idea to prototype (incubation), providing consultation, funding opportunities, investor matching, workspace, and spin-off company creation.
3. Intellectual Property and Commercialization – Supporting patent registration and technology transfer to ensure that research outputs create tangible economic and social value.
4. One-Stop Service Ecosystem – Delivering end-to-end services for start-ups, from ideation and training to market expansion and joint investment.
5. Innovation for Society, Economy, and Environment – Focusing on key areas such as healthcare and aging society, education, Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Food & Agriculture, sustainable society, and deep technology.

Start-ups and Spin-offs under CU Innovation Hub

Today, CU Innovation Hub supports a wide range of start-ups and spin-offs across multiple industries, many of which directly contribute to the transition toward a low-carbon economy and sustainable technologies. The main categories include:

1. Health & MedTech – Innovations to improve quality of life and healthcare. Example: Baiya Phytopharm, a biotechnology start-up known for developing plant-based COVID-19 vaccines, now expanding into other vaccines.
2. AI & Robotics – Advanced robotics and AI solutions for industry and healthcare. Example: Haxter, a start-up developing automation systems and robotic technologies.
3. EdTech – Digital tools to make learning more accessible and effective. Example: Vonder, a platform creating interactive learning modules and educational games for organizations and schools.
4. Chem, Material & Energy Tech – Focusing on advanced materials, alternative energy, and technologies supporting the low-carbon and BCG economy, Example:
   • Chula E-Motor: Developing high-performance motors for electric vehicles (EVs).
   • MICROCAP: A groundbreaking algae-based technology that captures CO₂ and releases oxygen more efficiently than trees. Developed by Chulalongkorn researchers and scaled into Algae Deep Tech Co., Ltd., this innovation exemplifies the university’s role in assisting start-ups that promote green technology and carbon reduction. [ https://www.chula.ac.th/highlight/255148/ ]

5. Digital & Platform – Software and platforms for diverse industries. Example: CU-D.R.I.V.E., a platform for managing electric vehicle charging stations, developed in collaboration with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand.
6. Food & AgriTech – Technologies to enhance food and agriculture efficiency, including future food and smart farming. Example: Tann D, a start-up producing plant-based proteins and healthy alternative foods.

Through CU Innovation Hub, Chulalongkorn University actively provides assistance for start-ups that foster a low-carbon economy and sustainable technologies, ensuring that academic research and entrepreneurial energy are transformed into real-world impact. This commitment not only strengthens Thailand’s innovation ecosystem but also contributes to global efforts toward a greener and more sustainable future.