Together with Nikkei Business Publications, Inc. and Thailand’s National Innovation Agency (NIA), FOURDIGIT held the inaugural SYNC Design & Innovation in SITE 2026 (“SYNC”) on June 26, 2026, at Siam Paragon in Bangkok, Thailand.
Built around the concept “Where design and business SYNC, innovation begins,” SYNC brought together business leaders, designers, creators, government and education professionals, and researchers, primarily from Japan and Thailand, to explore the role and possibilities of design in business and society.
SYNC took place on the second day of SITE (Startup x Innovation Thailand Expo) 2026, one of Asia’s largest innovation events, organized by Thailand’s National Innovation Agency (NIA). SITE 2026 welcomed a total of 41,760 visitors over three days, with 13,836 people attending on June 26, the day SYNC was held.
To share the discussions and ideas that emerged from the event with a wider audience, a dedicated SYNC website is also being launched, featuring reports from every session held during the event. Articles will be published progressively.
SYNC Design & Innovation in SITE 2026 — Dedicated Website
URL: https://special.nikkeibp.co.jp/atclh/NXR/26/syncforum/
Session reports will be published progressively.
Exploring the Intersection of Design, Business, and Social Challenges
At SYNC, design was explored not simply as a form of visual expression, but as an approach that can shape experiences, ideas, businesses, and organizations.
Sessions covered a wide range of intersections, including Sustainability × Design, Management × Design, AI × Design, Finance × Design, Education × Design, and Healthcare × Design. Through topics such as climate change, design education in the age of AI, cross-border payments, healthcare experiences, and branding, speakers discussed some of the real challenges facing businesses and society today.
The lineup brought together designers and creators alongside business leaders, government officials, researchers, and educators from Japan and Thailand. Drawing on their respective expertise and experiences, speakers explored how design can contribute to new value creation across business and society.
In parallel with the conference sessions, SYNC also featured a live stage program. Artists from Japan and Thailand, including Wednesday Campanella and KIKI, performed at the event, alongside programs combining technology and creativity through live coding, generative AI, human augmentation technologies, and more.
Strong Engagement at SITE 2026, Both On-site and Online
SYNC was held as part of SITE 2026, organized by Thailand’s National Innovation Agency (NIA).
SITE 2026 brought together 606 companies and organizations from 13 countries, including government agencies, universities, venture capital and corporate venture capital firms, startups, and international organizations.
Across its three-day run, SITE 2026 welcomed a total of 41,760 visitors, with 13,836 attending on June 26, the day SYNC was held. The event also generated strong online engagement, recording 3.25 million in reach and 250,000 engagements overall.
The official SYNC website also recorded approximately 79,000 sessions in the two months leading up to the event.
Reports from Every SYNC Session to Be Published Online
Alongside this event recap, a dedicated website is being launched to share reports from all sessions held at SYNC.
The articles will capture discussions across a broad range of themes, including AI, management, education, healthcare, finance, technology, and creativity, offering an opportunity to revisit the ideas and perspectives shared at the event.
SYNC Design & Innovation in SITE 2026 — Dedicated Website
URL: https://special.nikkeibp.co.jp/atclh/NXR/26/syncforum/
Session reports will be published progressively.
Event Overview
Date: June 26, 2026
Venue: Paragon Hall, Siam Paragon, Bangkok, Thailand
Organizer: Nikkei Business Publications, Inc.
Planning, Production, and Co-organizers: FOURDIGIT Inc. and National Innovation Agency (NIA), Thailand
Supported by: Creative Economy Agency (CEA)
Support and Production Partners: Y’s CONNECTION Inc., J-WAVE Inc., and iDID
Event Website: https://syncforum.asia/en/
About Nikkei Business Publications, Inc.
Nikkei Business Publications, Inc. (Nikkei BP) is a media company providing specialized information across a wide range of fields, including business, technology, marketing, healthcare, and lifestyle.
Through magazines, books, and digital media, Nikkei BP delivers in-depth and trusted content on the latest developments and emerging topics, while also organizing exhibitions, conferences, and seminars.
The Nikkei BP Research Institute, its media-driven consulting organization, draws on the expertise and insights of Nikkei BP’s specialized media brands to support companies and organizations in driving innovation and addressing business and social challenges.
About the National Innovation Agency (NIA), Thailand
The National Innovation Agency (NIA) is a government agency under Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), responsible for promoting and developing Thailand’s innovation ecosystem.
Through support for startups and collaboration among businesses, academic institutions, government organizations, and other stakeholders, NIA works to create greater economic and social value in Thailand.
In addition to advancing technological innovation, NIA promotes innovation through the integration of design, creativity, and other disciplines.
