KBTG has launched TechJam 2018 under the concept of "Tomorrow Squad" to find the ultimate champions of the future in Coding, Data Science, and Design (creative problem-solving and design) who will shape the future of the country. The competition will seek out talented individuals from four regions before the championship at KBTG headquarters in Chaeng Watthana, with prizes totaling over 2 million baht. Participants can register online from July 19 to August 10, with the championship taking place on November 3. The goal is to create a challenging arena for young talents, aiming for at least 3,000 competitors from across the country.

Mr. Somkid Jiranantrathorn, Chairman of KASIKORN Business Technology Group (KBTG), revealed that personnel in technology and design have become a key driving force for the country's business and economic sectors. As a Thai technology company, KBTG emphasizes human resource development alongside promoting the advancement of Thailand's technology sector. The first TechJam competition was held in 2017, featuring a Hackathon with three categories: Coding, Data Science, and Design, attracting over 400 teams, which received a positive response.

In 2018, KBTG aims to expand the competition nationwide, organizing TechJam 2018 under the concept of "Tomorrow Squad" or "Champions of the Future," where participants are likened to champions from across the country showcasing their technological and design skills, essential tools for the future. The competition will feature a new format that is intense, challenging, and engaging, allowing even those outside the technology field to follow and cheer for the competitors. This initiative aims to involve everyone in the community in driving the technology sector forward, making it one of the most challenging competitions that no Thai should miss.

TechJam 2018 will be divided into three squads: 1. Code Squad for those skilled in programming, 2. Data Squad for data analysis skills, and 3. Design Squad for problem-solving through design and creativity. Participants must be aged between 15 and 60, with no restrictions on education or profession. The competition is team-based, with each team consisting of 1 or 2 members, and they can only choose to compete in one squad. The competition will consist of three rounds: audition round, regional competition, and national competition.

Registration is open online at www.techjam.tech from July 19 to August 10, 2018. Competitors must specify the region they wish to compete in for the regional round and choose their audition format. They can also register in person at designated regional registration points on specified dates and times. Participants can check details and updates about the project at www.techjam.tech.

The audition selection and regional competition will take place from August 14 to September 27, with the southern region held in Songkhla, northeastern region in Khon Kaen, northern region in Chiang Mai, and central region in Bangkok.

The final competition will be held on Saturday, November 3, 2018, at KBTG headquarters in Chaeng Watthana.

Competition Prizes: In the regional competition, the winning teams ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in each squad will receive cash prizes of 30,000 baht, 20,000 baht, and 10,000 baht respectively, along with trophies and certificates. In the national competition, the winning teams ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in each squad will receive cash prizes of 100,000 baht, 50,000 baht, and 30,000 baht respectively, along with trophies and certificates. Furthermore, the national competition's 1st place team will receive a special opportunity to join an all-expenses-paid trip to experience the innovation hub of Silicon Valley in the United States.

In addition to the grand and intense competition format, this year TechJam will present the competition over three months through various Online Content formats shared across different social media platforms, showcasing a new competition style that brings out the potential and capabilities of the competitors, presenting their working methods, thought processes, and interesting personalities, along with insights from experienced judges in the field. Follow the updates of TechJam 2018 at the Official Website: www.techjam.tech and on social media channels like YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter under the name TechJam Thailand.

Mr. Somkid concluded that TechJam is one of the most challenging technology competitions that industry professionals should not miss. Not only does it provide an opportunity to enhance skills and compete for prizes, but it also offers a chance to experience innovation up close in Silicon Valley once in a lifetime, as well as to network with others in the same field, which will help create future opportunities. KBTG believes that this new competition format will allow the general public to access the ideas and identities of people in the technology sector widely and will encourage everyone to contribute to the growth of this industry. KBTG expects at least 3,000 applicants to participate in TechJam 2018 from across the country.