BEACON VC teams with Microsoft in equipping B2B Thai startups
Beacon Venture Capital Company Limited (Beacon VC), the corporate capital venture arm of KASIKORNBANK (KBank), has joined forces with Microsoft (Thailand) Ltd. to help strengthen Thai startups’ capabilities. To this end, they will be equipped with monthly seminars, business matching and networking and new solutions in order to advance their businesses. To reinforce the company’s goal of promoting and creating innovative businesses for the advancement of Thailand’s economy and sustainability, focus will be on B2B startups which have engaged with corporate customers. This cooperative effort aims to be the starting point of B2B startup synergy in Thailand, thus contributing to broad-based development among Thai startups.
Mr. Thanapong Na Ranong, Beacon VC Managing Director, said, “KBank recognizes the importance of supporting Thai startups in a comprehensive manner with the aim of encouraging them to create innovative businesses with strong foundations. These endeavors will help advance the Thai economy, thus paving the way for sustainability in the society and the nation, alike. Focusing on B2B startups which have engaged directly with corporate clients, we have geared up for arranging knowledge-based activities, while continually providing them support via various business tools and business networking throughout this year. Beacon VC and Microsoft (Thailand), the world’s leading tech company, have teamed for the shared goal of enhancing B2B startup synergy in Thailand, with the aim of supporting startup business networks of the two organizations while also promoting necessary knowledge and the adoption of needed business tools among startups. In a collaborative project to be undertaken over the next year, Beacon VC and Microsoft (Thailand) will focus on connecting their customers with startups in their portfolios in order to ensure the development and enhancement of mutual synergy, plus creation of extra income channels for B2B startups. Additionally, the project is intended to strengthen and advance SMEs in KBank’s portfolio via knowledge, advice and technology tools. The project comprises a number of activities, as follows:
A business matching session to create a broad-based linkage between business networks and B2B startups in Beacon VC’s portfolio. An exclusive session with a team from Beacon VC and Microsoft (Thailand) to offer numerous tips such as cost reduction and income generation. Related tools and technologies will also be supported by Microsoft (Thailand). Marketing budget of B2B startups will also be supplemented. Provision of knowledge for startups via the KATALYST STARTUP LAUNCHPAD 2022 in which Microsoft (Thailand) will be a mentor and sponsor of prizes for the winning teams. The KATALYST TALK, an online seminar free of charge, will also be organized via the KATALYST page every month. It is intended to enhance technology skills for startups and SMEs during the new era.”
Mr. Dhanawat Suthumpun, Managing Director, Microsoft (Thailand) Limited, said, “Our cooperative efforts with Beacon VC reflect our confidence in the potential of startups and Thailand’s direction as we seek to move forward from the era of ‘Made in Thailand’ to innovations that are ‘Born in Thailand’. Microsoft has given support to startups at various levels, as we believe that real change and success cannot be created by only one individual or organization but must come from a strong ecosystem. This includes skills and knowledge in technological and business matters, tech platforms to unlock innovative capabilities, resources to support development of products and services, as well as opportunities to expand customer bases and markets. To this end, we aim to leverage resources and knowledge to help startups achieve business growth and to succeed both in Thailand and regional markets.”
KBank intends for the collaboration between Beacon VC and Microsoft to serve as a starting point for B2B startup synergies to further develop B2B startups in Thailand, ensuring their strong growth and capability to meet the extensive needs of the business sector. Interested persons can find news and updates on the Facebook page: KATALYST at https://m.facebook.com/KATALYSTbyKBank/
