Economy
Thailand Launches Initiative to Use Intellectual Property as Business Collateral
The Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation are collaborating to allow intellectual property to be used as collateral for business funding.
According to Prachachat Business, the Thai Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) have launched the “IP x Venture Rise Thailand 2026” initiative. This project aims to bridge the gap between academic research, innovation, and the commercial market by connecting inventors with entrepreneurs and investors.
The initiative showcases over 250 innovations across five key sectors, with organizers setting a target of at least 100 business matching deals valued at a minimum of 50 million baht. A significant component of this program is the plan to test the use of intellectual property (IP) as collateral for securing business funding, which is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026.
For residents and business-minded expatriates, this development may signal a shift in how local startups and research-based businesses access capital, potentially fostering a more robust innovation ecosystem in Thailand. While the initiative aims to stimulate economic growth through commercialized research, the specific regulatory framework and the criteria for valuing IP assets for loan collateral remain to be confirmed. Interested parties should monitor official government announcements regarding the implementation of these financial mechanisms later this year.