Meet the tenants of True Digital Park

Thailand’s startup scene is on the rise.

Tech giants like Chinese internet company Alibaba consider the country a potential logistics base for its ecommerce operations in Southeast Asia, and the national government has been pouring millions into its “Thailand 4.0” economic model.

Local firms are also doing their part to nourish the scene: True Corporation’s True Digital Park opened its doors to the world at the start of the year. Hailed as the largest startup campus in Southeast Asia, the park aims to create a community of Thai startups and foreign tech businesses where tenants can collaborate and learn from each other.

Here’s a list of some of the early occupants at True Digital Park.

1. Giztix

Giztix founder and CEO Sittisak Wongsomnuk conceptualized his company while he was running his family’s logistics business.

“I was looking for enterprise resource planning software that could automate our operations, but it cost around US$100,000,” he shares.

That led him to launch Giztix, developing software that smaller-sized logistics businesses could afford. But Wongsomnuk faced another problem: simply selling software wasn’t scalable.

The Giztix team / Photo credit: Giztix

“It usually takes three to six months to deploy and go live,” he explains. “So we changed the business model.”

The company is now an online marketplace for logistics services, with over 20,000 trucks in its fleet. Freight forwarders can sign up on Giztix and apply for transportation gigs, while logistics companies can use the platform to book cheap trucking services on demand.

What attracted Wongsomnuk to True Digital Park was its steady stream of tech events, which enables him to develop the skill sets of Giztix employees. “That’s what we need to grow the company because we have about 55 people who are managed by leaders in the company, not just founders alone. So people development is really important right now, and this place is super strategic for that.”

2. Eko

At the end of 2018, workplace collaboration platform Eko raised a US$20 million series B round: the biggest Thai startup deal made that year

As the company outgrew its small office near the Thailand Cultural Center, it moved into a new space at True Digital Park.

Eko head of corporate development Francesca Gargaglia / Photo credit: Tech in Asia

“You have all the different stakeholders in the startup ecosystem represented in the park,” says Francesca Gargaglia, Eko’s head of corporate development. “And at this stage of Eko’s growth, we really care about showing our experience in every conversation and brainstorming with other people that are building something similar to us or working in the same sector.”

Tenants are highly encouraged to meet other industry players at activities organized within the park, according to Gargaglia. The Eko team also puts together its own events for the park’s occupants, such as gaming hackathons where non-techies can learn how to build their own video games.

3. National Innovation Agency

Thailand’s Ministry of Science and Technology established the National Innovation Agency (NIA) in 2003 to develop the local startup ecosystem and push the country onto the global stage.

However, according to NIA director of entrepreneurship and enterprise Pariwat Wongsamran, just leveraging the Thai market is “not enough.”

“We need investments from global players as well,” he says. “That’s why we’re here at True Digital Park. We hope that we can help the global startups and investors in Thailand, and also help them to bring their businesses abroad.”

Pariwat Wongsamran, director of entrepreneurship and enterprise at NIA / Photo credit: True Digital Park

The agency maintains several partnerships with groups such as International Enterprise Singapore, which helps organize events for connecting with the global community. Foreign entrants to the tech scene can also consult NIA if they have queries about meeting Thai regulations or if they need assistance with the operational aspects of their business.

4. DEPA

The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), another government agency present in the park, is responsible for developing Thailand’s digital manpower and promoting the industry.

Foreign tenants can apply for smart visas through DEPA’s office in True Digital Park rather than the one-stop government service at Chamchuri Square.

DEPA president and CEO Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin / Photo credit: DEPA

The agency also acts like an investor because it’s “the only government organization” that can hold equity from startups, according to DEPA president and CEO Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin. The agency assists startups from “the moment they’re born until they become a unicorn,” and in various other ways, such as providing industry connections and mentorship.

5. ACE Singapore

Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE) Singapore supports startups in the city-state across all stages of development – through base camps and progressive mentoring – and seeks to do the same for Singaporean startups that have expanded into Thailand.

ACE Singapore CEO Edmas Neo / Photo credit: ACE Singapore

Its center in True Digital Park acts as a place that Singaporean companies – such as UOB FinLab, another early occupant at the park – can use as a working or event space. It also holds regular networking events for the Singaporean community in Thailand.

“Singapore and Thailand have always enjoyed a very close business relationship,” says Edmas Neo, ACE Singapore’s chief executive. “We want to use the center to run regular activities where we can invite Singaporeans in Thailand to share their experiences with Singapore startups who are looking to enter the Thai market.”

Did you know? Over 90% of the space at True Digital Park is already booked. Contact hello@truedigitalpark.com to be part of this development in the heart of Southeast Asia.