By AIT Entrepreneurship Center
The inaugural LEADER Program in Thailand, a collaborative effort between the Ivey Business School of Western University, Canada and the Asian Institute of Technology’s Entrepreneurship Center (EC), successfully concluded its two-week intensive entrepreneur education program from 19-30 May 2025.
Hosted on the AIT campus at the Entrepreneurship Center’s Creator Space, the international initiative delivered by Ivey Business School students aimed to equip aspiring and established entrepreneurs with critical business acumen and decision-making skills through Ivey’s renowned case-based learning methodology.
Diverse Participation and Expert Guidance
The program welcomed 30 participants from nine countries, including Thailand, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia, and Ecuador. Representing a nearly equal gender balance, the diverse cohort comprised undergraduate and graduate students, doctoral candidates, budding entrepreneurs, and seasoned working professionals. This mix of backgrounds created a vibrant learning environment and enriched discussions with a wide range of perspectives.
The LEADER program was facilitated by a dedicated team of Ivey Business School students who made the journey from London, Canada to deliver the program. The team was led by Site Captain Gagandip Grewal (MBA), alongside Aakriti Gupta (MBA), Simon Hungate (HBA), and Laura Caraccio (HBA). LEADER alumni Jessica Myles and Dr. Dominic Lim, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at Ivey Business School, also contributed their support and expertise during the program’s first week. Their collective expertise and commitment played a vital role in the program’s overall success.
Comprehensive Curriculum and Hands-On Learning
Participants engaged with a comprehensive, topic-driven curriculum covering areas such as marketing, finance, and more, each reinforced through relevant case studies. To support their learning, each participant received a Case Package for in-depth analysis and a Curriculum Resource Booklet designed as a practical learning toolkit. A distinctive feature of the program was the daily one-on-one coaching sessions with the LEADER team, providing personalized guidance and tailored insights.
Team Canada Trade Mission to Thailand: Strategic Networking and Industry Insights
On May 26, 2025, as part of the LEADER program’s two-week schedule, participants and the LEADER team attended the plenary session of the Government of Canada’s Trade Mission to Thailand, hosted by the Embassy of Canada. The high-level event in Bangkok offered a unique opportunity to observe developments in the Canada–Thailand trade partnership firsthand. Led by Sara Wilshaw, Canada’s Chief Trade Commissioner, the mission focused on strengthening economic ties between the two nations. The plenary featured insights from global trade and business leaders and provided participants with valuable networking opportunities, including direct engagement with Canadian entrepreneurs exploring business ventures in Thailand—highlighting the country’s strategic importance as a business hub in Southeast Asia.
Expert Panel Discussion: Thailand Rising
On May 29, 2025, a dynamic panel discussion was held to provide participants with expert insights on the theme: “Thailand Rising: What’s Next in Industries and Technologies, and How You Can Be Part of It — Navigating the Path to Business Success in Thailand.” The session was opened by Professor Dieter Trau, Director of AIT Entrepreneurship Center (AIT EC), and moderated by Dr. Lakeesha Ransom of AIT.
The panel featured a distinguished lineup of industry leaders: Dr. Tobias Endress – AIT School of Management, Startup Grind Bangkok; Michael B. Currie – Fling AI, Thammasat Business School; Tad Hatchaleelaha – Join & Coin Corporation, AIT EC mentor; and Dr. Patcharapit Promoppatum – KMUTT, OsseoLabs. The panelists shared valuable advice and forward-looking perspectives for entrepreneurs aiming to launch or scale businesses in Thailand and on a global scale.
LEADER Concludes with High-Stakes Pitch Competition
The LEADER program concluded with a dynamic pitch competition, where nine teams presented innovative business ideas developed over the two-week course. This capstone event offered participants a hands-on opportunity to apply the knowledge, skills, and techniques gained throughout the program.
Pitches were evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges, including experts from the “Thailand Rising” discussion and Professor Dieter Trau, Director of the AIT Entrepreneurship Center. The competition showcased a range of forward-thinking solutions, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and entrepreneurial potential of the participants.
Top three teams included:
- Winner 1 – Team Agristeam: Puchaya Raksasakul
- Winner 2 – Team Expardec: Andrea Nathaly Pardo Valarezo
- Winner 3 – Team Renexus.ai: Atiqur Rahman (Nirjhor)
Upon completing the program, participants received a comprehensive business startup kit featuring a full business plan template, financial statement frameworks, and a Certificate of Achievement—tangible tools to support their future entrepreneurial endeavors.
Reflecting on the program’s success, Professor Dieter Trau, Director of the AIT Entrepreneurship Center, stated: “We are glad to have completed the prestigious LEADER program with Ivey Business School of Western University of Canada here at our AIT campus in Thailand. With 30 happy graduates, this marks an excellent beginning to what promises to be an ongoing collaboration between our institutions.”
Gagandip Grewal, LEADER Site Captain from the Ivey Business School, shared his experience on LinkedIn: “This program was a chance for me to apply what I’ve learned in the MBA classroom in a real-world setting—and more importantly, to give back by sharing those learnings with a group of inspiring and ambitious entrepreneurs. Their energy, engagement, and local perspectives made the experience truly special.”
The LEADER Program and Ivey Business School Legacy
The LEADER Program, established in 1991, has a long-standing history of empowering business leaders and entrepreneurs. It provides analytical tools, thought processes, and decision-making skills essential for tackling complex business challenges. The program draws upon the rich heritage of the Ivey Business School, one of North America’s oldest business schools, renowned for its case-based teaching method since its inception in 1923. Ivey consistently updates its case library to ensure relevance to contemporary business challenges.
