Mirai Catalyst
Where Research Meets Application: Join, Build, and Take Your Skills Home
A platform connecting young researchers with the business world — build work that ships, and take it home.
Registration is now closed. Thank you for your interest.
What is this program?
A new kind of hackathon bringing together young researchers and entrepreneurs in Japan to build products or policies that address real challenges in Thai society. Organized by the Thai Students' Association in Japan under Royal Patronage (TSAJ).
You can apply individually or as a team. Once selected, all participants must form teams of 5 to continue developing their work.
*Five-person teams must include at least one member from each of the two tracks.
Who is this program for?
Eligibility & rules:
Must be affiliated with an educational or research institution in Japan.
You can apply individually or as a team. Five-person teams must include at least one member from each track.
If your team isn't full yet, apply anyway — we'll match you with others on the day of the event.
What you'll get
Total prize pool of over ¥900,000
A Thailand–Japan network of researchers and entrepreneurs
Guidance from expert mentors across 5 fields
Deep insight into the Thai business landscape — ready to apply your research from Japan back home
Certificate of participation issued by the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) — for those who pass the first selection round
Key dates
- May 23 – Jun 20
Application
Preliminary Project Screening
- By Jun 24
The Selection
Shortlisted Candidates
- Jul 5
Strategic Synergy
Mentoring and Networking Session Onsite @ Plaza Heisei Meeting Facilities, Tokyo
View location - Jul 6 – Aug 8
From Idea to Market
Online Mentoring Session on Business Plan Development With Professionals
- Aug 9
The Final Pitch
Project Pitching & Evaluation by Experts and Business Leaders Onsite @ Tokyo (TBC)
Prizes
A total prize pool of over ¥900,000 for teams whose products or policies clearly meet real societal needs and can scale into Thailand.
¥400,000
¥300,000
¥200,000
Learn from the experts
Get perspectives from experts across technology, business, communication, and investment.
Dr. Teerapong Yata
Asst. Prof. Kasemsak Uthaichana
Weeraweth Orathanalai
Prof. Dr. Suchada Sukrong
Pattaraporn Kanyamee
On-site event schedule
- 09:30-10:00Registration
- 10:00-10:20Opening Ceremony & Welcome Remarks
- 10:20-11:00Special Keynote Address - "Strategic Research and Innovation Translation" by Prof. Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation
- 11:00-11:15Coffee Break
- 11:15-12:15Session I: Thailand's Innovation Ecosystem by Assistant Professor Dr. Tanyanuparb Anantana, Vice President of Chiangmai University
- 12:15-13:00Lunch Break
- 13:00-13:45Session II: Research Commercialization by Assistant Professor Dr. Tinnakorn Phongthiya, Faculty of Engineering, Chiangmai University
- 13:45-15:00Networking and Team Formation
- 15:00-15:45Brainstorming and Mentoring
- 16:00-16:30Concluding Remarks
Learn From the People Shaping the Field
Lecture on July 5, 2026
Thailand's Innovation Ecosystem
Assistant Professor Dr. Tanyanuparb Anantana
Vice President, Chiang Mai University
Research commercialization
Assistant Professor Dr. Tinnakorn Phongthiya
Assistant Director, Science and Technology Park, Chiang Mai University
Frequently asked questions
Program details
Organized by / In partnership with
TSAJ
Thai Students' Association in Japan under Royal Patronage
NRCT
National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT)
Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation
Contact