OpenAI, Thailand Launch Eight-Week AI Startup Accelerator

Thailand is seeking to convert its growing pool of artificial intelligence talent into products that can be deployed in priority sectors such as healthcare, wellness and education. OpenAI’s partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, or MHESI, is designed to close the gap between promising prototypes and trusted commercial products by combining frontier AI tools with Thailand’s research, talent, funding and startup networks.

OpenAI and MHESI announced the OpenAI x MHESI AI Accelerator in Bangkok on Aug. 28, 2026. The eight-week program covers 10 startups, split evenly between medical and wellness ventures and education companies. OpenAI will provide each team with $2,000 in API credits, a dedicated mentor and technical guidance. MHESI, the National Innovation Agency, Mahidol University and Techsauce will support the cohort, which is expected to present working products, user evidence and deployment plans at a Bangkok Demo Day in November.