KHON KAEN – Khon Kaen University (KKU) has officially launched “KKU Market,” its first online marketplace designed to bring university research and innovations directly to consumers. The platform, which already features over 300 products, was unveiled on Tuesday, August 19, during the “KKU Enterprise Demo Day #2: Digital Innovation and Wellness” event held on campus.
The initiative is spearheaded by the KKU Enterprise center, a university body established to manage and commercialize intellectual property, inventions, and research findings.
“Today’s event is not just a showcase, but an opportunity to build strong business partnerships to further develop products that meet market demands,” said Assoc. Prof. Pensri Jaroenwanit, Ph.D., Vice President for Student Affairs and Innovation Commercialization, who presided over the launch. “The KKU Market platform is a significant new channel to deliver our university’s innovations to consumers more conveniently and rapidly.”
Asst. Prof. Piyada Daowadueng, Ph.D., Deputy Director of the KKU Enterprise center, explained that the e-marketplace aims to promote and distribute products from KKU researchers and its network partners. The platform is free to join for all users, who are categorized as members, product and service partners, or affiliated stores.
“This will increase national awareness of KKU’s products and innovations, creating new sales channels and revenue streams for university faculties, departments, and licensed businesses,” she stated.
The Demo Day also featured presentations of eight prominent university innovations. These included an AI platform to support teaching (KKU IntelSphere), an AI system for assessing biological age, a health services database (Functional Wellness Directory), and cellular therapy services. Other highlighted products were a brain-boosting supplement, a ready-to-eat puréed soup, and a functional food supplement.
Jakkrit Siriphanich, President of the Khon Kaen Chamber of Commerce, praised the initiative as a valuable opportunity for the business sector to access new technologies. “KKU’s research and innovations have immense potential but have lacked channels to reach businesses and investors,” he said. “The Chamber of Commerce is ready to act as an intermediary, facilitating business matching between researchers and entrepreneurs to foster commercial collaboration.”
The event marks a significant step in KKU’s strategy to transform its research into commercial ventures and build a robust innovation ecosystem. The KKU Enterprise center plans to hold the Demo Day event monthly to strengthen collaborations between academia, the private sector, and government agencies.
