KKU Faculty of Technology Students Lead Interdisciplinary Team to Win “Star of Camp” at Startup Thailand League 2026 Northeastern Region with Xobify, a Prebiotic Innovation from Corn Cobs

1 April 2026
11:15

Between 18–20 March 2026, the Khon Kaen University Science Park led a student team, “Plasom Latte,” to participate in a coaching camp as part of the Startup Thailand League 2026 for the Northeastern Region, held at Nakhon Phanom University, Nakhon Phanom Province. The team was primarily composed of students from the Faculty of Technology, Khon Kaen University.

The three-day event focused on hands-on learning led by startup experts, covering a comprehensive range of topics, including identifying target customers, analysing market size, developing product prototypes, designing business models, formulating marketing strategies, and enhancing presentation (pitching) skills.

On the final day of the competition, team “Plasom Latte” won the “STAR OF CAMP” award, the top regional prize, which included a cash award of 5,000 baht. Their winning innovation was Xobify, a prebiotic food supplement derived from corn cobs. This product was developed from the research and intellectual property of Assoc. Prof. Jirawan Apiraksakorn, Ph.D., a lecturer in the Biotechnology programme at the Faculty of Technology, Khon Kaen University.

The team comprised students from three faculties: Mr. Worawut Supanavong and Mr. Muhamad Khairi Mahfudz from the Biotechnology programme, Faculty of Technology; Mr. Peerapat Kuram and Mr. Bunnampeth Lunputh from the College of Graduate Study in Management (MBA KKU); and Ms. Nannapat Silaruam from the Biomedical Engineering programme, Faculty of Engineering. This achievement highlights the power of integrating cross-disciplinary knowledge in biotechnology, business management, and biomedical engineering to create innovations that effectively meet market demands.

This success serves as a testament to the capabilities of the Faculty of Technology, Khon Kaen University, in fostering innovation and developing the next generation of entrepreneurs. The Khon Kaen University Science Park has played a key role in supporting the innovation ecosystem, continuously strengthening the competitiveness of Thai youth at both regional and national levels.