Khon Kaen University (KKU) students have brought honour to the institution by securing the championship title for the Northeast region in the Future Food business category at the Bootcamp & Pitching UBI Alpha Business Contest 2026. The competition was held during the One Stop Open House 2026 event from 2–3 February 2026 at the Northeast Region Science Park 1 (Khon Kaen Province).
Khon Kaen University nominated student teams to participate in the UBI Alpha Business Contest 2026 with the objective of fostering and developing students’ potential as young entrepreneurs. The participation aims to support the creation of innovations and product development that address market demands, enhance skills in presenting business concepts and teamwork, and elevate the competitive abilities of students on the national stage. This effort ultimately contributes to nurturing young people and students to become key drivers of the future economy and society.
Associate Professor Suthin Wianwiwat, Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Khon Kaen University, expressed his congratulations, stating, “On behalf of the Faculty of Economics, I would like to congratulate the ‘Khainam Crisps’ team for proudly winning the Northeast regional championship. This achievement reflects the potential and capability of our students and youth in developing business innovation, particularly within the Future Food sector, which is vital for developing the nation’s food industry. Providing our students with the opportunity to participate in this level of competition is a valuable experience and serves as excellent preparation for becoming successful entrepreneurs in the future.”
The Dean further added, “The Faculty of Economics prioritises developing students’ entrepreneurial skills alongside their academic knowledge. We encourage students to engage in hands-on practice, develop business concepts, and apply economic principles to create innovations. The success of the ‘Khainam Crisps’ team is an excellent example of integrating knowledge with practical application and serves as an inspiration for the next generation of students. We urge the team to prepare thoroughly and deliver superior results in the national final round. The Faculty stands ready to provide full support and encouragement throughout their journey.”
The award-winning innovation is the product “Khainam Crisps” (Dried Duckweed Crisps), developed by the team also named Khainam Crisps. The team successfully advanced through the university-level selection round, which featured 47 entries, before being chosen as one of the 15 representatives for the Northeast region. They then triumphed in the regional competition’s Future Food category.
The winning team members include:
Mr. Kittinan Prabphayak, Team Leader, a second-year undergraduate student from the Faculty of Economics, Khon Kaen University, shared his excitement: “We are incredibly proud and thrilled to win the regional championship. Our ‘Khainam Crisps’ product builds upon a unique local food source and develops it into a product that meets the needs of modern consumers who prioritise health and convenience. We focused on using quality raw materials, modern production processes, and eco-friendly packaging. We would like to thank our advisors, the Faculty of Economics, and Khon Kaen University for providing us with opportunities and support. We are now ready to develop our work further for the national final round.”
Miss Wiranchana Singwankul, Team Member, a second-year undergraduate student from the Faculty of Economics, Khon Kaen University, stated: “Participating in this competition has been an invaluable experience for all of us. We learned the entire business development process, from concept ideation and market research to product development and presenting to the judging committee. Every step has helped us better understand the world of entrepreneurship and allowed us to practically apply the knowledge gained in the classroom. We hope our success will inspire other students interested in entrepreneurship.”
Miss Aksarapuk Prabphayak, Team Member, a Mathayom 4 student from the Khon Kaen University Demonstration School (Secondary Section), remarked: “Working with my older teammates to develop the ‘Khainam Crisps’ product taught me many things, including teamwork, problem-solving, and confident presentation skills. Even though I am still a high school student, having the opportunity to compete at this level has given me confidence and a clearer goal for my future. I aspire to be a successful entrepreneur who creates value for society. This experience is a great starting point for my dream, and I will use what I have learned to continue developing myself.”
Assistant Professor Wilaiwan Tiangtrong, the team’s advisor, expressed her pride: “As the team advisor, I am extremely proud of the determination and capability shown by the ‘Khainam Crisps’ team. Our students and high school learner demonstrated creativity, responsibility, and effective teamwork. Notably, Miss Aksarapuk, despite being a high school student, integrated seamlessly with the university students, demonstrating potential unrestricted by age. Developing the ‘Khainam Crisps’ product not only adds value to local ingredients but also reflects an excellent understanding of economic and marketing principles. I am confident that the students will deliver outstanding results in the national final round, and I hope this experience will serve as a robust foundation for their future entrepreneurial success.”
This achievement qualifies the Khainam Crisps team to represent the Northeast region in the national final round, scheduled for 7 March 2026, at the One Stop Open House event at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. They will compete against representatives from other regions across the country for the national championship and numerous other awards.
This success underscores the potential of Khon Kaen University’s youth and students in innovation development and their pathway to becoming young entrepreneurs, bringing both fame and pride to the institution. The Faculty of Economics, Khon Kaen University, is committed to consistently supporting and promoting students to develop their potential and create innovations, ensuring they become a critical force in driving the country’s economy and society in the future.
We encourage everyone to follow and support the Khainam Crisps team in the national final round on 7 March 2026.
