Advanced Info Service Public : AIS supports Startups to grow sustainably guided by SDGs AIS-Singtel Group Future Makers program shows Startup progress in Thai healthcare Agnos wins final award by deploying AI for Thais' self-diagnosis

18 November 2021: Dr Srihathai Prammanee, AIS The StartUp Management, commented, "The guidelines for AIS' startup entrepreneurs are to find solutions which address issues with business or social innovation of both ideas and digital tech, which have recently been springing up worldwide. New business models are transforming different industries. AIS has been the first telecom operator in Thailand providing a home for startups for over 10 years. It is because we are confident this group is the core of innovation to change the world with digital tech. We have clearly shown our readiness to explore partnerships enabling startups to become more robust. Our support is in the form of digital platforms, know-how and the customer base of both AIS and Singtel group, numbering over 750 million worldwide. We are also able to make connections with external partners and investors who can provide opportunities for strong growth and expansion.

"Besides just growth, all business groups, including startups, need to look at how the benefits from their service can improve quality of life. Real business potential is promoted, with the final result of sustainable social impact benefiting all stakeholder groups, under the concept of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This why we organized the AIS-Singtel Group Future Makers program this year, to discover and promote startups innovating to meet economic, social and environmental SDGs. Startups have been identified and curated by business units in the six Singtel Group countries: AIS, Airtel India, Globe Telecom Philippines, Optus Australia, Singtel Singapore and Telkomsel Indonesia. Each pitched an business plan and found partners to expand their customer base, with the chance to tap from a cash pool totaling 150,000 SGD."

Dr Srihathai continued, "AIS-Singtel Group Future Makers this year is emphasizing local accelerators and social innovation in the three areas of education, economics and health. Winning startups receive not only investment, but the opportunity to exchange know-how about digital platform infrastructure, and consulting experts in Singtel group. Most importantly, Value is shared across the board. It is a huge and rare benefit to explore potential regional expansion and partnerships."

The competition has been won by Agnos in Thailand, a health consultancy service deploying AI technology developed by a team of medics and engineers, in a joint award with startups from Australia and the Philippines.

Agnos Health CEO and co-founder Dr. Paphonwit Chaiwatanodom noted, "We are delighted to have been selected on this occasion. Agnos was born out of the number of doctors being inadequate for the population, which became painfully clear during the COVID pandemic. The general public also lacked information and basic knowledge sufficiently trustworthy for them to treat themselves in the first instance. Therefore, we introduced artificial intelligence to fill this gap. The public can check their symptoms by themselves, easily on their mobile phones. This helps people to understand and look after their own health more conveniently and economically, while not unnecessarily burdening clinics and hospitals."

Agnos' objective as a health tech startup is using AI to assist the public to easily access credible health information and health care services at an affordable price. The company can see the potential of expanding this service regionally, as many countries in this region are facing similar problems. The opportunities given by international telecom giants AIS and Singtel Group's Future Maker program in terms of supporting technology, marketing, insight and access to customers, as well as budgets, will enable the company to achieve its goals.

Dr. Paphonwit emphasized, "I would like to see startups look at doing business sustainably rather than just making short term-profit. There must be genuine economic, social and environmental impacts for stakeholders, which align with the SDGs. Agnos has implemented these through our services, which will be introduced in the near future."

"Agnos is a worthy representative of AIS and Thailand for social innovation benefitting the general public. As a Digital Life Service Provider, we confirm that we will continue our operations sustainably, and we invite every partner to travel the path of Sustainability Development with us," concluded Srihathai.