In modern business, the ability to connect diverse skills has become a key attribute for digital entrepreneurs. The term “duck person” (manut ped) is often used to describe someone with varied abilities but no single specialization. This concept has been redefined as the “Duck Expert”—a well-rounded professional capable of applying broad knowledge in the business world.

This idea was brought to life at the “Digital Entrepreneur Showcase 2026 – Duck Expert,” an event organized by the Digital Entrepreneurship program of Khon Kaen University’s Faculty of Business Administration and Accountancy. Held at Central Khonkaen, the showcase provided a space for students to demonstrate their potential as new entrepreneurs by presenting business concepts and projects developed from real-world experience.

 

The event was packed with activities reflecting the students’ comprehensive, hands-on learning process. These included business idea presentations from the KKU Startup incubation program and panel discussions.

Talks were given on “The Role of Modern Leadership” by Vatee Vichiannit, CEO of Ving Intertrade Co., Ltd., and “The Creator of Nests of Opportunity” by Associate Professor Dr. Pensri Jaroenwanit, KKU’s Vice President for Student Affairs and Almanacs Innovation. The program also featured experience-sharing sessions with successful alumni.

A key highlight was the “Duck Pitch Battle,” where students presented their business concepts to a panel of experts, investors, and attendees. This was complemented by an exhibition of over 20 student businesses across diverse categories such as Platform & Play, Beauty & Fashion, Pet Care, and Food & Beverage, all showcasing the students’ creativity and ability to turn ideas into tangible ventures.

Vatee Vichiannit, CEO of Ving Intertrade Co., Ltd., delivers a special lecture on “The Role of Modern Leadership.”

Associate Professor Dr. Pensri Jaroenwanit, Khon Kaen University’s Vice President for Student Affairs and Almanacs Innovation, gives a special lecture on the topic “The Creator of Nests of Opportunity.”

To understand the “Duck Expert” concept, we look to the perspectives of administrators and instructors from the Digital Entrepreneurship program. They play a crucial role in designing a curriculum that connects classroom learning to the real business world.

This exploration also delves into the experiences and business development journeys of students who have successfully transformed their ideas into concrete entrepreneurial ventures.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, President of Khon Kaen University, the “Digital Entrepreneur Showcase 2026” is a vital platform that allows students to move beyond classroom learning and experiment with building real businesses.

He explained that this initiative aligns with the university’s key “Education Transformation” strategy, which aims to shift the educational model from a focus on theoretical knowledge to learning through hands-on practice. The Digital Entrepreneurship program is systematically designed to create “real entrepreneurs” for the country. To graduate, students must develop a viable business project and demonstrate their ability to actually run it, from planning and management to successful execution.

The university president added that developing such a curriculum requires collaboration between academia and the business sector. Khon Kaen University has implemented an “Adjunct Faculty” system, inviting experienced professionals and entrepreneurs to share their real-world knowledge alongside permanent faculty. This approach ensures students receive a balanced perspective of both theory and practice, enhancing their capabilities to enter the business world with confidence and efficiency.

Assistant Professor Dr. Pongsutti Pinta-saen, Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration and Accountancy, explained that this year’s DE Showcase 2026 marks the second consecutive year for the event.

He stated that the showcase provides an opportunity for students to fully demonstrate their potential by translating the knowledge gained throughout their curriculum into tangible results, including products, innovations, and services. Students present their concepts to experts from the private sector, reflecting a learning process that spans from ideation and development to business creation.

Dr. Pongsutti added that the event also strengthens networks and knowledge exchange between academic institutions and the business community. This collaboration is a key mechanism for bridging gaps and enhancing the development of a workforce that meets industry demands.

For the second year in a row, the event received support from CentralPlaza Khon Kaen, highlighting a strong partnership aimed at promoting student work to a wider audience and creating future opportunities for business, investment, and expansion.

 

Dr. Apasri Sothornvit, Chair of the Digital Entrepreneurship program, stated that the goal of the event was to give students a platform to showcase their potential and present the work they have developed.

She explained that the projects on display were the culmination of a process that included ideation, hands-on execution, and extensive learning, training, and mentorship from faculty members. This process enables students to develop products and services that are ready for the market, aligning with the program’s objective of cultivating capable entrepreneurs who can genuinely build businesses in the digital era.

Dr.Apasri  Sothornvit noted that several teams at the event successfully closed deals with investors and attracted interest from Venture Capital (VC) firms for future development or entry into business incubation programs.

One example of a classroom project evolving into a real business is the “Vee Vee” anti-mosquito patch.

The product was developed by Prapasiri Julasom, a fourth-year student in the Digital Entrepreneurship program, along with her team. They created a natural-extract mosquito repellent patch using microencapsulation technology. This technology allows for the slow release of the repellent scent, providing up to 24 hours of protection.

Designed to be safe for sensitive skin, the patch is made from natural extracts, adheres firmly without leaving residue, and is durable. It addresses the pain points of individuals who are sensitive to sprays and smoke, or who have delicate skin.

The business’s success and expansion were supported by a 30,000 baht grant from the “New Regional Startups” project, administered by the Khon Kaen University Science Park.

At the “Dark Expert 2026” event, the team also won two awards: “The Trailblazer Award – The Best Innovative Business” and “The Deal Maker Award.” The latter was for securing a 100,000 baht deal with a venture capital (VC) investor.

Currently, the team is focused on further business expansion and is actively seeking business partners, such as restaurants and pharmacies, to build a distribution network and increase the product’s market reach.

A team of young entrepreneurs has developed an on-site service model for the service industry under the brand name “BCC Service.”

Intira Chusawat, a fourth-year student in the Digital Entrepreneurship program, co-developed the service, which offers off-site repair and sales of IT equipment. The business idea originated from observing a common problem: users often lack the time or convenience to bring their computer equipment to a repair shop.

In response, the development team designed an on-site service model. This involves picking up and delivering devices directly to the customer’s location, providing a convenient solution that meets the lifestyle needs of today’s consumers.

A key feature of BCC Service is its development of a website platform that allows customers to track the status of their repairs with transparency.

The system displays real-time updates, including the current stage of the repair process, the technician responsible for the device, details on replacement parts, and warranty information. This feature minimizes communication delays and builds customer confidence, as they do not need to wait for a technician to respond with updates.

At the “Dark Expert 2026” event, the BCC Service team also received “The Deal Maker Award” for successfully securing an investment from a venture capital (VC) firm

Regarding business growth, the team is initially focusing its services on the Khon Kaen province area.

The company plans to expand to other provinces and is currently in negotiations with external shops to implement its platform more widely. Furthermore, there are plans to develop the back-end system for businesses with similar service models, which will enhance the potential for long-term business expansion.

In the food and health sector, a student-led team has commercialized university research through the brand “FELE.”

Phawamin Sirinon, a fourth-year student in the Digital Entrepreneurship program, and her team developed a GABA yogurt product based on existing research from Khon Kaen University. The business was launched after team members pooled their own funds, contributing 4,000 baht each, to purchase the intellectual property rights from the university.

This initial investment allowed them to further develop the research into a commercial product line, which now features two main items: a Drinking GABA Yogurt and GABA Yogurt Smoothies.

The product’s distinctiveness enabled the team to secure 30,000 baht in funding from the “New Regional Startups” project, administered by the Khon Kaen University Science Park. This capital will be used to further develop and tangibly grow the business.

Additionally, at the “Dark Expert 2026” event, the team won the “Revenue Rocket Award” for the best business in terms of earnings.

The team has outlined a three-phase business plan for future growth.

In the initial phase, the focus is on building a customer base within Khon Kaen province. This will be achieved through sales at local community markets and car boot sales, supplemented by online channels and delivery services to ensure comprehensive consumer reach.

For the next phase, the team aims to expand the brand to a national level, increasing widespread brand recognition and developing its competitiveness in a larger market.

The long-term goal is to take this innovative product from Khon Kaen University to the international market, guided by their slogan, “Feel Good to Mood Flow.”

Another notable business applying academic knowledge to the agricultural sector is “BYSON,” a brand developed by Chatree Tawan, a fourth-year student in the Digital Entrepreneurship program.

Working with his team, Tawan developed an innovative animal feed incorporating brewer’s spent grain. The venture began with simply selling the spent grain before evolving into a powdered feed specifically for cricket farming.

A key turning point for the business occurred when the team discovered that customers were using the spent grain to reduce their cricket farming costs with better-than-expected results. This prompted the team to develop a specialized feed formula. The new formula allows crickets to consume less food while maintaining the same yield and weight, leading to a significant reduction in farming costs per cycle.

The team has also developed a nutrition calculation program capable of analyzing up to 21 different nutritional values. This allows them to customize feed formulas based on animal type, age, and weight, ensuring optimal nutrient intake for maximum growth efficiency.

Currently, the program can formulate feed for five types of animals: pigs, chickens, ducks, cows, and crickets.

The software helps improve the Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), which measures the efficiency of converting feed into body mass. Comparative data shows that producing approximately 30 kilograms of crickets per enclosure typically requires about two sacks of feed, or an average of 2.5 kilograms of feed per 1 kilogram of cricket mass. However, by using BYSON’s product, the feed requirement is reduced to just one sack per farming cycle.

Nearly 10 farms are already using the team’s product, with results confirming its effectiveness in reducing costs and increasing output. The team is now in the process of expanding its business to include Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) for animal feed and offering custom feed formulation services to reach a broader range of farmers and entrepreneurs.

Another business promoting creative learning is the board game “My Pay Repeat,” developed by Thanathorn Kaewchanda, a fourth-year student in the Digital Entrepreneurship program, and his team.

The resource management-style board game casts players as Thai astronauts tasked with collaboratively building a colony on a new planet using limited resources.

A primary goal of the project is to reduce screen time and increase quality time by fostering interaction among players, whether they are groups of friends, family members, or colleagues. The game serves as a medium to connect people and encourage social engagement.

In developing the business, the team handled everything from the initial concept and game mechanics to the graphic design. They placed significant importance on a rigorous playtesting process to observe player behavior, emotions, and experiences, using the feedback to balance the game for fun, ease of understanding, and appropriate playtime.

The project has received funding from the New Regional Start-Up and SiBB Business Big Brother Hood 2026 programs.

The standout feature of “My Pay Repeat” is its application of economic principles, specifically resource allocation, into an accessible game format. Players learn through core mechanics like buying, selling, and trading to collect “Item Cards,” which are then converted into point-scoring “Product Cards.” In a resource-scarce environment, players must plan, make decisions, and manage their resources efficiently. The player with the highest score at the end of the game wins.

To expand the business, the team has collaborated with personal development trainers to adapt traditional workshop concepts into a board game format, making learning more fun, accessible, and experiential. They also plan to organize tournaments in educational institutions to promote learning among children and youth.

For commercial expansion, the team is seeking investors or partners with networks in the board game industry to help distribute the product to board game stores and cafes, allowing more consumers to try and access the game.

Finally, another business that impressively blends beauty with local identity is the contemporary Thai perfume brand “Fablelist,” created by Onpreeya Issarachart and Phakjira Karn-upadti, fourth-year students in the Digital Entrepreneurship program.

Working with their team, they developed a Thai perfume brand that reinterprets the charm of the Isan (Northeastern) region through scent. The brand utilizes local raw materials and plants, combined with innovative new scent extraction techniques that capture the aroma of flowers with exceptional natural accuracy.

The brand’s starting point was the core concept of “Iconic Isan,” aiming to convey the region’s identity through an olfactory experience to stand out in the perfume market. The team began by gathering insights through brainstorming and consumer surveys, choosing Nakhon Ratchasima province—the gateway to Isan—as their starting point. Through this process, they discovered that “Thao Suranari,” affectionately known as “Ya Mo,” was the most prominent and memorable figure associated with the province.

This inspiration was reinterpreted through scent, drawing on the historical story of Thao Suranari to convey a sense of gentleness combined with charm and wit. The result is the brand’s signature fragrance, “Manya,” which blends the scents of gardenia, tuberose, and jasmine. The fragrance evokes a soft, sweet, and gentle feeling, yet possesses an alluring and captivating quality, subtly reflecting the personality of the strong historical heroine.

During the development process, the team collaborated with a manufacturer to create a perfume prototype. This prototype was then tested with target groups in Khon Kaen and Nakhon Ratchasima to gather feedback and refine the product to meet market demands.

The perfume was also showcased at Bangkok Design Week, where it received a positive reception from both Thais and foreigners. Encouraged by this response, the team sees an opportunity for business expansion. They plan to extend their product line to include home fragrances such as room sprays and diffusers. Concurrently, they aim to develop the “Iconic Isan” concept to encompass other provinces in the region, promoting local identity as a broader form of soft power.

The brand’s distinctiveness is also highlighted by its success at the Digital Entrepreneur Showcase 2026 – Duck Expert event. The team won The Rising Star Award for The Best Market Frontier Business and The Deal Maker Award, securing a 100,000 baht deal with a venture capital (VC) investor. This marks a significant step toward full-scale commercialization of the business.

 

Beyond being a platform for presentations and sharing experiences, the “Duck Expert Showcase 2026” served as a stage for success, giving students a full opportunity to demonstrate their potential. The competition was judged by a panel of qualified experts with business expertise. The winning teams in each category this year are as follows:

The Trailblazer Award – The Best Innovative Business Winner: Team Vee Vee, for their mosquito repellent patches.

The Rising Star Award – The Best Market Frontier Business Winner: Team Fablelist, for their “Iconic Isan” Thai perfume brand.

The Revenue Rocket Award – The Best Business Earning Winner: Team FELE, for their GABA yogurt product.

The Pitch Mastery Award – The Best Pitching Performance Winner: Team Purrfect, for their cat dietary supplement product.

Additionally, six teams received The Deal Maker Award:

• Team BCC: An on-site IT equipment repair and sales service.
• Team Dormy: A platform for finding dormitories near the university.
• Team Vee Vee: A mosquito repellent patch product.
• Team Sorin: A body tone-up product.
• Team Fablelist: The “Iconic Isan” Thai perfume brand.
• Team Post Flow: A post management platform.
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• The event highlighted the potential of modern students as digital entrepreneurs, demonstrating their ability to transform creative concepts into real products and services that meet market demands. This was achieved through a learning process that combined classroom instruction with practical application, supported by faculty, industry experts, and various funding sources that helped turn their ideas into viable businesses.

  This initiative also reflects the vision and strategy of the Faculty of Business Administration and Accountancy at Khon Kaen University. The faculty is committed to developing students with both foundational knowledge and entrepreneurial skills that can be applied in the social and economic sectors, preparing them to become a key force in driving the country’s sustainable growth.