BANGKOK – A team representing Khon Kaen University (KKU) has earned an honorable mention at the national UBI-Alpha Business Contest 2026 for their innovative “Crispy Water Meal” product concept. The competition, designed to foster a new generation of entrepreneurs from University Business Incubators (UBI), was held on March 7, 2027, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.

The event, part of the One Stop Open House 2026, saw 15 finalist teams from over 30 educational institutions compete after advancing through regional qualifying rounds. The contest was divided into three business categories: Future Food, Green and Climate Change Solutions, and AI and Digital.

The KKU team, led by students from the Faculty of Economics and the Khon Kaen University Demonstration School (Mor Din Daeng), competed in the Future Food category. Their project, “Crispy Water Meal,” presented a business idea centered on an alternative food source. The team members included Kittinan Prabpayak, Wiranchana Singhawannakun, and Aksarapak Prabpayak.

For their efforts, the “Crispy Water Meal” team was awarded an honorable mention, highlighting the potential of KKU students to develop innovative ideas and pursue entrepreneurship.

The UBI-Alpha Business Contest serves as a key platform for promoting the entrepreneurial ecosystem within higher education. It provides students with an opportunity to present innovative business concepts, exchange knowledge, and network with experts, investors, and industry professionals, with the goal of developing business prototypes that can be commercially viable.

The Khon Kaen University Science Park, which guided the team, was represented at the event by its director, Mr. Apirachai Wongsriworapol, along with the business development manager and staff. The Science Park extended its congratulations to all participating teams for their contributions to business innovation.