ION Energy has emerged as the first provider of comprehensive solar energy solutions, securing funding for clean energy innovation from the "Innovation Fund" to accelerate the development of the Smart Energy Platform. This initiative aims to enhance energy management and the clean energy ecosystem in Thailand, focusing on Behind-the-Meter systems and Energy Payment Tech Solutions to improve the efficiency, transparency, and value of residential solar usage, while preparing for future electricity trading once regulations allow. The company aims to establish a foundation for entering the mai market in line with its 5-year roadmap.

Mr. Pirakarn Manakij, CEO of ION Energy Corporation, a provider of comprehensive solar energy solutions, revealed that the company has received funding from the "Innovation Fund," a collaboration between the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) and the Science, Research and Innovation Promotion Fund (SRIP) under the Office of the National Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council (NSTDA). This funding will be utilized to develop the Smart Energy Platform to concretely enhance energy management and create a clean energy ecosystem in Thailand.

“We are the first clean energy and solar operator to receive support from the Innovation Fund. This funding reflects confidence from both the government and the industrial sector in ION Energy's role as a developer of new clean energy solutions. We believe that the Smart Energy Platform will be a significant turning point for the Thai clean energy market in terms of efficiency, transparency, and raising standards for energy use in residential and small business sectors,” Mr. Pirakarn stated.

The funding will be used to develop technologies for residential consumers, such as Behind-the-Meter (BTM) technology and Energy Payment Tech Solutions, which are essential tools for enhancing the efficiency of household solar energy use. These solutions will allow rooftop solar users to monitor real-time electricity production and consumption, optimizing solar energy usage based on weather conditions and off-peak/on-peak periods. Additionally, they will facilitate easier electricity trading among households when regulations permit in the future. All of this represents a significant step towards making clean energy more accessible and transparent for the public, establishing a foundation for the company's continuous and sustainable growth, and moving forward with plans to list on the mai stock exchange according to its 5-year roadmap.

Mr. Kriangkrai Thiennukul, President of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), stated that the FTI aims to promote Thai entrepreneurs to create innovations and technologies that align with the country's energy direction through funding support and network connections, particularly for clean energy technology development projects that align with the goals of Carbon Neutrality and Thailand's transition to a clean energy system.

“Solar energy technology and smart energy management systems are key components in ensuring future energy security. ION Energy stands out in terms of technology, platform, and installation base, with over 6,000 installations nationwide, making it well-positioned to deliver results that meet the clean energy needs of the country's industrial sector,” Mr. Kriangkrai added.

The FTI expects that this support will enhance ION Energy's capacity to develop the Smart Energy Platform to achieve economic and industrial outcomes, including raising energy management standards for households, readiness for connecting new energy technologies, and creating a sustainable clean energy ecosystem in the long term.

Mr. Thanapong Na Ranong, Managing Director of Beacon Venture Capital (Beacon VC), a venture capital firm of Kasikorn Bank and one of the investors in ION Energy, stated that ION Energy being the first company in Beacon VC's portfolio to receive support from the Innovation Fund marks a significant step in promoting Thai energy startups to a regional level. The funding and strategic network from the Innovation Fund will accelerate ION Energy's market expansion, providing opportunities to connect with members of the Federation of Thai Industries, which is a key customer base with potential for broadening the company's solutions.

The "Innovation Fund" project is an initiative of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) supported by the Science, Research and Innovation Promotion Fund (SRIP) from the Office of the National Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council (NSTDA) with a budget of 1 billion baht for a 3-year period (2023-2025). Its objective is to support innovative entrepreneurs, both startups and SMEs, to grow sustainably by commercializing research and creative ideas, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of the Thai industrial sector in the region.

ION Energy Corporation is a provider of comprehensive solar energy solutions, aiming to make clean energy accessible to Thai households sustainably. The company integrates solar technology, inverters, batteries, and smart energy management systems into a single platform, allowing users to monitor energy production in real-time, reduce electricity costs, and enhance system safety at every stage. It has experience installing systems for leading property developers as well as general consumers, totaling over 6,000 installations nationwide.