Launching HEX in Thailand 🇹🇭

HEX 9.1 Bangkok marked our official expansion into Thailand, and a major milestone in growing HEX’s global footprint across Southeast Asia.

This two-week Global Internship experience brought together 10 founders from 5 universities, representing diverse academic, cultural and professional backgrounds.

Together, they built, tested and pitched 9 startups, supported by 30+ mentors and 30+ workshops, alongside 3 ecosystem and campus tours across Bangkok.

New region. Same HEX energy.

With a CSAT of 9.8/10 and an NPS of 100, the momentum was undeniable.

A Two-Week Global Internship Experience

The Bangkok program was a transformative, immersive experience designed to promote international collaboration and real-world skill development  .

Over two weeks, founders received a crash course in:

• Ideation & Risky Assumptions
• Market Research & Validation
• Rapid Prototyping & UI
• Cross-border market strategy
• Professionalism in Southeast Asia

They tackled real problem spaces across:

• FinTech
• EdTech
• VetTech
• Sustainability
• Community
• SportTech
• TravelTech
• MedTech

This wasn’t simulated learning.

It was built inside a live international ecosystem.

Meet the HEX 9.1 Bangkok Founders

From MedTech to Sustainability, this cohort represented the next generation of globally minded builders:

• Joyce Hu - Founder of BloodBuddy (MedTech)
• Jesse Gibson - Founder of Pocket Bro (Community)
• Amalie McCutcheon - Founder of GoHow (TravelTech)
• Arnav Pillai - Co-founder of Safix (FinTech)
• Sydney Bentley - Founder of Next Paws Innovation (VetTech)
• Mark Ong - Founder of Ally
• Benika Vandermeer - Founder of Waste 2 Walls (Sustainability)
• York Chen - Co-founder of Safix (Hardware / FinTech)
• Phoebe Mikhail - Founder of AeroTag (EdTech)
• Sean Teh - Founder of SpotOn (SportTech)
  

Ten founders. Nine ventures. One global cohort.

Inside the Bangkok ecosystem

A defining feature of HEX is direct ecosystem access.

During HEX 9.1, founders participated in tech tours at:

• CP ALL
• KFC Foundation
• Assumption University
  

They also engaged with over 30 speakers and mentors from across corporate, startup and government sectors.

Featured Leaders Included:

• Dr. Pratt Hetrakul - Chief Strategy Officer, MOVE FAST (ex-Meta)
• Amelia Walsh - Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner to Thailand & Laos, Austrade
• Saranya Singshachakul - Investment Director, Austrade
• Nan Sethjinda - Director, Office of International Affairs, Assumption University
• Usanee Kulintornprasert - Director of International Relations, CP ALL
• Pamas Limpivattana - ex-Head of Education, Sephora
• Patararin Pongprasit - Co-founder, VINN PATARARIN
• Dr. Polly Hason - CEO & Co-founder, JIAN CHA & Oh! Polly
• Bowky Ithiraviwongse - Group Account Director, We Are Social (ex-Ogilvy)
• Kard Pongsakorn Chanchaisrisakul - VP, Head of Organisation & Talent Development, Lazada
• Janett Rungsithikul - Senior Marketing Manager, KFC
  

From corporate expansion and brand strategy to venture investment and cross-border growth, students gained practical insight into how organisations operate and scale across Southeast Asia.

Learning extended beyond workshops, it happened inside real operating environments.

Delivered by the HEX Team

HEX 9.1 Bangkok was facilitated and mentored by the HEX team, ensuring founders were supported at every stage of the build and validation journey.

This program was led and delivered by:

• Shaye Pumar - Chief Marketing Officer
• Charlie Perelini - Global Experience Delivery Lead
• Jess Merlo - Head of Learning and Experience
• Suphanuttha Subsumruay - Thailand Account Leader
• Janeleena Inthavong - Program Facilitator (HEX International: Singapore Alumni)

From learning design and facilitation to on-the-ground ecosystem coordination, the team worked closely with founders to deliver a seamless, high-impact global experience.

Programs like this don’t just happen, they’re built intentionally.

Pitch Night: Founder Demo Day

On Pitch Night, founders were evaluated on:

• Problem clarity
• Market validation
• Feasibility
• Prototype development
• Overall pitch delivery

🏆 Judges’ Choice

Sydney Bentley: Next Paws Innovation

A blood bio-bank designed for pets, supporting veterinary infrastructure and improving emergency care access.

🏆 People’s Choice

Sean Teh: SpotOn

An AI-enabled fitness trainer that helps everyday users overcome gym intimidation and improve their form and confidence.

These ventures reflected what HEX is built for: bold ideas tested in real markets.

Program outcomes & results

The numbers reinforce the impact  :

• Net Promoter Score (NPS): 100
• Average Student Result: 89/100
• Highest Student Result: 94
• Overall Program Rating: 9.8/10
  
  

But beyond metrics, the real result was transformation.

Founder reflections

The strongest outcomes weren’t just the ventures built,  they were the shifts in confidence, clarity and global perspective.

Benika Vandermeer: Founder, Waste 2 Walls (AUT, PCF Scholar)

“I needed this, after not knowing what I wanted to do all year. I actually feel so much more confident within myself, which is such a big takeaway for me. If you were to tell little me that I have achieved something like this, I would NEVER believe you.”

Mark Ong: Founder, Ally (UniMelb)

“I’d describe this program as one of the most empowering experiences a young person can have if they’re curious about entrepreneurship. It gives you a safe space to explore who you are, what problems you care about, and whether building something from scratch is truly for you.”

Jesse Gibson: Founder, Pocket Bro

“Definitely a life-changing experience. I now have a much better understanding of global markets and foreign ecosystems. It’s made me want to look outward for inspiration on how to conduct my work back home, especially with this newfound confidence and skillset.”

And that’s just the beginning, with more video testimonials and reflections continuing to roll in.

Why Bangkok was a milestone for HEX

HEX 9.1 Bangkok marked:

• Our expansion into Thailand
• A strengthened Southeast Asia ecosystem presence
• A deeper global founder network

Delivering at this level in a new region proves the HEX model scales across borders, cultures, and markets.

Every new city compounds the community.

Bangkok raised the bar.

The next cohort, the next city

HEX Global Internship continues.

Upcoming Programs:

🇻🇳 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: 4 - 18 July 2026

🇯🇵 Osaka-Tokyo, Japan: 27 June - 11 July 2026

🇹🇭 Bangkok, Thailand: 28 November - 12 December 2026

New city.

New market.

New founders stepping up.

If you’re ready to build globally, we’re just getting started.