TCISM, University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce Opens Unicorn Hall for ITEC ASEAN 2026
TCISM, University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce hosted ITEC ASEAN 2026 at Unicorn Hall on 19 October 2026, reflecting Thailand's MICE role in linking international business.
On 19 October 2026, the Thai-Chinese International School of Management (TCISM), University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), together with partners from the People's Republic of China, hosted the final round of the ITEC ASEAN 2026 competition at Unicorn Hall, 9th Floor, Building 5, University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce. The event aimed to position Thailand as a hub connecting entrepreneurs and innovation personnel from the ASEAN region with China's business ecosystem. The event featured business plan presentations from 20 startup groups selected for the final round, alongside activities to build collaborative networks among the education, research and industrial sectors at an international level.
Expanding the Competition Platform from Beijing to a Cooperation Hub in Thailand
The Chaoyang International Talent Entrepreneurship Competition, or ITEC, is a key project from Chaoyang District, Beijing, People's Republic of China, which has expanded its scope to Southeast Asia under the name ITEC ASEAN 2026. Selecting Thailand to host the event reflects the readiness of Thai educational institutions to accommodate academic activities and cross-border business discussions. In addition, it opens channels for innovation developers in ASEAN countries to directly access China's resources and business networks.
The opening ceremony of the competition was attended by representatives from government agencies and key organisations from both countries, including Ms Chanok Chantathong, Assistant Minister at the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, and Mr Chen Peng, Director of the Chaoyang District Talent Affairs Office, Beijing. Representatives from the National Innovation Agency (NIA), representatives from the national research agency Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR), as well as experts from various sectors also joined to exchange perspectives on driving business forward.
The Role of Educational Institutions in Incubating Startups and Personnel for Global Industry
Associate Professor Dr Burin Srisomthawin, Dean of the Thai-Chinese International School of Management (TCISM), welcomed the delegation and distinguished guests at Unicorn Hall, and congratulated all 20 startup entrepreneurs from the ASEAN region who reached the final round. The school's executive emphasised the role of educational institutions in developing personnel to apply knowledge to create innovation and deliver tangible value to society.
Providing an international competition space within the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce serves as an important mechanism to help entrepreneurs develop their concepts and expand their projects to an international level. TCISM is committed to promoting educational cooperation between Thailand and China alongside continuous integration with the research and industrial sectors. This approach helps drive sustainable cooperation in technology, innovation and entrepreneurship among Thailand, the ASEAN region and China.
Event Summary and Benefits for Business Event Organisers
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Event Name | Chaoyang International Talent Entrepreneurship Competition (ITEC ASEAN 2026) |
| Co-host Organisation | Thai-Chinese International School of Management (TCISM), University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) |
| Event Date | 19 October 2026 |
| Venue | Unicorn Hall, 9th Floor, Building 5, University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce |
| Finalists | 20 startup entrepreneurs from the ASEAN region |
News of the ITEC ASEAN 2026 event is of interest to event planners and organisers looking for a case study on using an international competition venue such as Unicorn Hall at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce. At the same time, hoteliers can use insights into Thailand-China cooperative event trends to prepare services for business travellers and international delegations. Furthermore, entrepreneurs and business travellers interested in innovation can follow this collaborative network to explore future business expansion opportunities.