The National Innovation Agency (NIA), under Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, recently hosted the “2026 Thailand–France International Collaboration: Innovation Ecosystem Tour Program” to commemorate the 170th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and France. The event aimed to strengthen international startup ecosystems, promote innovation cooperation, and establish strategic partnerships between the two countries.

The meeting brought together French delegates, researchers, academics, and representatives from innovation and higher education sectors to exchange knowledge and explore opportunities for collaboration in science, technology, and entrepreneurship. Discussions highlighted Thailand’s growing role as a regional innovation hub and emphasized the importance of international partnerships in driving innovation-based economic growth.

During the program, NIA presented an overview of Thailand’s innovation ecosystem and its key strategies for supporting startups and technology entrepreneurs. These include startup incubation and acceleration programs, financial support mechanisms, industry-investor networking platforms, and international cooperation initiatives in digital technology, green technology, healthcare, and modern agriculture.

The event also featured presentations from Thai startups showcasing innovative solutions with global market potential. Areas highlighted included online veterinary consultation platforms, advanced microneedle manufacturing technology for healthcare and beauty industries, and artificial intelligence solutions such as AI chatbots, voicebots, translation systems, and speech technologies designed for multiple business sectors.

French delegates expressed strong interest in Thailand’s innovation development strategies and startup support mechanisms. Both sides discussed future cooperation opportunities in research, technology development, startup networking, investment promotion, and partnerships among universities, research institutions, and private sectors.

The program reflected the shared commitment of Thailand and France to advancing scientific and innovation collaboration while enhancing the international competitiveness of Thai startups in the global market.