Today, it is undeniable that "startups" are a group of entrepreneurs with ideas ready to develop innovative commercial products to respond to the significant changes in the country's infrastructure.

“Funding sources” are a crucial factor in the initial development of businesses. Over the past five years, the Ministry of Industry, through the Department of Industrial Promotion (DIP), has collaborated with Delta Electronics (Thailand) Public Company Limited on the project “Funding Sources for Entrepreneurs and New Businesses,” providing grants or Angel Funds to startups with innovative ideas or prototypes to operate in targeted industrial sectors.

In the past four years, more than 650 teams have applied to participate in the program, with 128 teams selected and funded, totaling over 13 million baht, which translates to an overall economic value of 450 million baht. This has resulted in investments of 70 million baht for business establishment and expansion, leading to an increase in employment by 500 positions, valued at 80 million baht, and the development of products and services with increased sales value exceeding 300 million baht.


This year marks the fifth year of funding support, totaling over 3.2 million baht, to support 30 selected teams from a total of 152 applicants. These teams presented business plans/innovative ideas in three areas: Industrial Automation, Environmental Conservation through Responsible Energy Management, and Future Innovations, covering six targeted industries: automotive, agriculture and biotechnology, robotics, comprehensive medical services, smart electronics, and digital technology. It is expected that this will expand innovation and create an overall economic value of 60 million baht.

One of these innovations is the “Automatic UVC Disinfection Robot”, a 360° DNA-level disinfection robot that leaves no residue. This invention comes from Coexist Robotics Co., Ltd., which identified the need for safety and confidence during the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting both public and private sectors to enhance cleanliness and disinfection in public areas such as hospitals, shopping malls, office buildings, hotels, and all forms of transportation.

Previously, these locations used chemical disinfectants, which are expensive, averaging between 14,000-70,000 baht for an area of 1,400 square meters. A significant issue is that some chemicals can contaminate food immediately, and spraying may not cover all areas in large enclosed spaces.

This led to the creation of the “Automatic UVC Disinfection Robot,” which utilizes UVC light that has been tested for intensity by the Radiology Department of Ramathibodi Hospital to determine its effectiveness in killing COVID-19.

This robot employs optimization to plan its operations via a 100% application-based command system, determining the shortest route and minimizing the robot's workload. Initial results show that for a room size of 30-40 square meters, the disinfection time is between 14.1-18.9 minutes. This development allows the “Automatic UVC Disinfection Robot” to retail for no more than 1 million baht, resulting in a service price of no more than 6.5 baht per square meter. Currently, Central Food Hall has become the first supermarket in Thailand to adopt the Automatic UVC Disinfection Robot.