Once upon a sizzling summery week in June 2024, Bangkok played host to a vibrant confluence of entrepreneurial spirits at the GCEC NEW FRONTIER: BANGKOK SUMMIT 2024. This inaugural Asia-based summit, part of the illustrious Sasin Impact Entrepreneurship Week (Sasin IEW) from June 19-23, marked a groundbreaking moment in the heart of Thailand. Amidst the buzz of innovation and camaraderie, the opening ceremony on June 21 set the stage with warm greetings from the brass at Sasin, GCEC, and Chulalongkorn University, followed by a whirlwind of keynote sessions that promised to drive the conversation around inclusive entrepreneurship for real-world impact.
The charismatic M.L. Dispanadda Diskul, affectionately known as Duke, and serving as both CEO of the Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage and President of the Sasin Alumni Association, took the stage with a resonant keynote. He delved into the transformative prowess of social entrepreneurship, weaving tales of the foundation’s ambitious projects like the Doi Tung initiative. This venture turned an opium-reliant community into a thriving enterprise through reforestation and diverse crops such as coffee. The embrace of global partnerships with Ikea and Japan Airlines and the innovation of products like handwoven fabrics from recycled PET bottles stood as testimonies to their commitment to sustainability. Duke’s speech echoed a clarion call to integrate impactful practices into larger corporations, emphasizing that with technology and knowledge on our side, global commitment is the missing link.
The audience then had the pleasure of listening to Mechai Viravaidya, a towering figure in activism and founder of the Population and Community Development Association (PDA) and Mechai Bamboo School. Mechai shared pearls of wisdom gleaned from PDA’s half-century voyage into social enterprise. Since 1975, the association has judiciously reinvested its profits into community-enhancing facets such as education, conservation, and livelihood development. Visualizing growth through symbolic gestures like planting a tree for every three-dollar contribution and operating social enterprises including restaurants, gift shops, and affordable lodgings, Mechai’s blueprint for sustainable social change was nothing short of inspiring. The Bamboo School emerged as a beacon for nurturing upcoming social entrepreneurs, firmly rooting the future of rural development in knowledgeable hands.
Professor Ian Fenwick, Ph.D., the illustrious Director of Sasin School of Management, passionately underscored Sasin’s mission: to inspire, connect, and transform the world. Partnering with global educational titans like Kellogg and Wharton, Sasin has carved a significant niche, being Thailand’s first to earn AACSB and EQUIS accreditations. The professor’s candid remarks on the transient nature of knowledge highlighted the necessity of a perpetual quest for learning, urging a collective drive to transform business and society alike through the powerful catalyst of entrepreneurship.
The narrative continued with Dibyendu Bose, Deputy Director of Strategy, Innovation & Impact at Sasin, articulating the grand vision of Sasin Impact Entrepreneurship Week. The aim was to cultivate a flourishing ecosystem where a spectrum of stakeholders from entrepreneurs to policymakers ignite innovations, embrace inclusivity, and champion transformative change. Acknowledging a multitude of sponsors such as Kasikorn Bank, Coca-Cola, and Chulalongkorn University, Bose’s gratitude flowed, emphasizing their indispensable role in fueling this extraordinary initiative.
Lars Svensson, Chief Executive of Sasin Sustainability & Entrepreneurship Center, welcomed attendees with an evocative comparison to the Swedish Midsummer Celebration. His poetic take on new partnerships, optimism, and growth set a jubilant tone for the summit centered around the thematic belief in inclusive entrepreneurship as a powerful driver of impact.
Adding a dash of international flair, Holly DeArmond, Executive Director of the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC), extolled Bangkok, celebrating it as a vibrant, culturally rich locale for GCEC’s first Southeast Asia summit. With a community of over 650 members spanning 350 institutions globally, DeArmond lauded the summit’s role in broadening GCEC’s geographical footprint and delighted in the unique experiences offered to attendees, like tuk-tuk rides through the bustling cityscape.
Lori van Dam, CEO of the Hult Prize Foundation, spotlighted the importance of SDG 17—partnerships for goals—during her stirring address. Applauding the summit’s efforts in creating robust global ecosystems for social entrepreneurs, Lori emphasized the Hult Prize’s pivotal role in equipping young leaders with the tools and networks essential for a lifetime of impactful ventures.
Professor Dr. Parichart Sthapitanonda from Chulalongkorn University echoed historical significance, recounting the inclusive vision of King Rama V, who founded the university to offer equal educational opportunities across society. Prof. Sthapitanonda’s reflections on the university’s evolution into a diverse and entrepreneurial hub underscored the timeless spirit of inclusivity.
The summit’s thought-provoking panel discussion “Driving Inclusive Entrepreneurship Ecosystems for Impact: Journey for Success” brought together luminaries like Dr. Patrachart Komolkiti of KX Knowledge Exchange and Joy Munthamraksa of Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs. They illuminated the necessity for connectivity between industries and academia, aligned partnerships, and resource accessibility for fostering a vibrant innovation ecosystem. Insights from government leaders like Dr. Pitiwat Wattanachai and Dr. Jittima Luckanagul heralded the need for streamlined bureaucracy and agility in supporting startups.
Dr. Krithpaka Boonfueng from the National Innovation Agency (NIA) wrapped up the engaging panel by detailing Thailand’s multifaceted support for tech entrepreneurs, nurturing a robust startup ecosystem through strategic partnerships and national innovation initiatives.
The GCEC summit wasn’t all work and no play—it also offered participants an enchanting cultural workshop and a dinner cruise, weaving cultural richness into the fabric of the event. This summit, alongside the Bangkok Business Challenge and the Family Enterprise Case Competition – Asia Pacific 2024, provided an immersive platform for participants to engage in intellectually stimulating activities and foster meaningful networks. The GCEC NEW FRONTIER: BANGKOK SUMMIT 2024 wasn’t just an event—it was a milestone in driving collective, entrepreneurial change for a brighter, sustainable tomorrow.
This summit sounds incredible! Finally, some meaningful efforts towards inclusive entrepreneurship!
Inclusive? It sounds like another fancy event for the elite. How many grassroots entrepreneurs from rural areas were actually invited?
They did mention efforts to involve diverse stakeholders, like rural development through the Mechai Bamboo School!
Yogi_mindset has a point. Sometimes these events feel more like networking for the already privileged.
I think events like these can bridge the gap. It’s about creating connections, not just showcasing achievements.
I’ve been to many such ‘global conferences’. They’re often just talk with no real-world impact.
Not all of them are ineffective. The Rex Tillerson event in Bangkok led to many real partnerships last year.
Perhaps, but exceptions don’t make the rule. I’d like to see more transparency about outcomes.
Real-world impact is slow. These events can lay the groundwork for future projects.
If that’s the case, they need better follow-ups and accountability to see if they actually lead to anything.
Duke’s keynote about turning an opium community into an enterprise is impressive! Shows the power of good leadership.
True leaders inspire change. But what happens after the cameras stop rolling?
The Mae Fah Luang Foundation has been transparent about their long-term efforts. It’s not just a media stunt.
Agreed. It’s about sustained efforts. The foundation’s work with global partners is commendable.
Any mention of how they handled the inclusion of tech startups? Curious about the support for budding tech entrepreneurs.
I’m skeptical about all this. Big corporations sponsoring these events just to greenwash their images.
While skepticism is healthy, it’s not accurate to dismiss the substantial efforts being made. Partnerships are crucial for scalability.
Call it partnerships, but it feels like they’re just covering up their environmental footprints.
It’s a fair concern. But witness the projects and tangible impacts before making a judgment.
How amazing that Lars Svensson compared the summit to the Swedish Midsummer Celebration! Bridging cultures through entrepreneurship!
Ha! Sounds poetic but let’s hope it’s not all fluff.
With sponsorships from entities like Kasikorn Bank and Coca-Cola, it’s more than just fluff.
It’s fascinating to see how a local event can attract international speakers. Kudos to Bangkok for hosting this.
Events like these should focus more on teaching local entrepreneurs, not just bragging about partnerships with big names like Ikea.
Teaching is part of the agenda. If you attended, you’d see numerous workshops focused on skill-building.
Workshops could be beneficial, but they need to be continuous and accessible to be effective.
Prof. Ian Fenwick’s take on the necessity of perpetual learning is spot on! Education changes everything.
Absolutely! Learning shouldn’t stop at school. Continuous education is key in entrepreneurship.
But how do we make continuous learning accessible to those in underserved regions?
Technology could bridge that gap, through online courses and webinars. We need to invest in infrastructure.
Holly DeArmond’s praise of Bangkok is well-deserved. It’s such a vibrant city with endless potential.
Bangkok is indeed amazing. It’s great to see such events bringing more spotlight on the city.
The summit sounds like a mix of tourism and business. Interesting strategy!
Why not? A little leisure with business can make these events more memorable and impactful.
Agreed. But let’s hope that it doesn’t overshadow the primary focus on entrepreneurship.
Would love to know more about the panel discussion insights on bureaucracy and startups. It’s a major issue!
The cultural workshop and dinner cruise idea is genius! Networking in a relaxed environment works wonders for building connections.
Too much emphasis on big names and less on grassroots. It seems skewed towards corporates.
Corporate involvement brings the necessary resources and expertise. Grassroots need to connect with them too.
But they must ensure that grassroots voices are not just token presence but given real attention.