**BANGKOK, Thailand—**The Enactus World Cup 2025, presented by ThaiBev, marked a historic milestone as both the 25th edition of this world-class competition and Enactus’ dynamic return to Southeast Asia. The event brought together over 1,800 students, educators, and staff from 35 countries at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok, from September 26-28, 2025, held alongside Sustainability Expo 2025 (SX2025).
Saint Mary’s University from Canada claimed the title from a field of 29 national champions with their social enterprises, Square Roots and Alaagi. Square Roots operates a franchise model rescuing surplus produce from farms, and Alaagi develops seaweed-based bioplastic alternatives. This innovative dual approach addresses two major Canadian challenges and embodies the circular economy principles central to many competing projects.
“We are thrilled to celebrate this Team Canada World Cup victory with the Enactus Saint Mary’s team. Their hard work, dedication, and entrepreneurship is truly inspiring,” said Catherine Fowler, President and CEO, Enactus Canada. “This win not only showcases the tremendous innovation behind projects like Square Roots and Alaagi, but also represents the strength of our teams and the Enactus program in Canada.”
Second place went to Bindura University of Science and Education of Zimbabwe for their projects Biodermagent and VoltStep, which address agricultural productivity and energy access. Germany’s University of Münster received the ThaiBev SEP Award (Sufficiency Economy Philosophy Award) for their marine ecosystem restoration project, Seads, recognizing its embodiment of Thailand’s sustainable development principles.
Generation:Re Theme and Thailand’s Triumphant Return
This year’s competition was themed “Generation:Re,” celebrating the power of young people to reimagine, restore, and regenerate the world. Many participating students drew inspiration from Thailand’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) framework, built on moderation, resilience, and sustainable development—values that closely align with Enactus’ mission.
In a momentous homecoming, Thailand returned to the Enactus World Cup stage after nearly a decade, with Chulalongkorn University representing the nation on home soil. Their innovative project transforms waste from cacao processing into high-quality cattle feed, simultaneously cutting agricultural waste, boosting value for local producers, and helping reduce methane emissions.
“Thailand’s return to the Enactus World Cup stage reflects our long-term commitment to youth empowerment and sustainable innovation,” stated Sithakarn Anuntasilpa, Enactus Thailand Country Director and Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at KPMG Thailand. “By hosting this global event, we’ve not only reconnected with the international Enactus community but also reaffirmed our strategic vision to position Thailand as a regional hub for purpose-driven entrepreneurship.”
A Golden Anniversary and Strategic Partnership
The 2025 event also marked the 50th anniversary of Enactus (founded in 1975 as SIFE and rebranded in 2012). The event was hosted in partnership with the Rakkaew Foundation and presented by Thai Beverage Public Company Limited (ThaiBev), demonstrating strong private sector commitment to youth empowerment across the ASEAN region.
“The Thai team demonstrated remarkable dedication—even while out of the network since 2016, they maintained a strong local program and never stopped training students,” said George Tsiatis, CEO of Resolution Project and Enactus Global. “Their commitment to youth empowerment made them the perfect partners to bring the World Cup back to Southeast Asia. We’re thrilled to elevate these incredible youth voices and give them a platform in the global sustainability conversation.”
Honoring Outstanding Leadership and Alumni Impact
The Enactus World Cup 2025 also recognized key supporters:
- Global Champion Award: Presented to Geraldine Acuña Sunshine and Gabriel Sunshine in recognition of their transformative support of the Resolution Project and Enactus.
- Enactus Legacy Award: Presented to KPMG for decades of unwavering partnership across seven Enactus network countries and the Global Enactus program. “At KPMG, we believe that investing in youth-led innovation is key to building a more inclusive and sustainable future. We are proud to stand alongside Enactus in advancing entrepreneurial action for positive impact,” said Charoen Phosamritlert, CEO, KPMG in Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos.
- Enactus Alumni Award: Presented to Song Min-pyo, CEO of Coactus, a pioneering South Korean social venture whose “Goyohan Taxi” service connects deaf drivers with passengers.
Global Impact and Future Vision
The organization’s integration with Resolution Project has strengthened support for student-led ventures, engaging over 50,000 young social entrepreneurs annually across nearly 100 countries.
During the event, Edson Matsuoka, President & CEO of Enactus Brazil, and Márcio França, Minister of State for the Ministry of Entrepreneurship of the Federative Republic of Brazil, announced that São Paulo, Brazil will host the 2026 Enactus World Cup from November 16-19, 2026.
“Hosting the Enactus World Cup in Brazil, and for the first time in South America, is a chance to showcase our culture of innovation and collaboration to the world,” added Matsuoka.
The event would not have been possible without the Rakkaew Foundation, presenting sponsor ThaiBev, impact sponsor The Sunshine Charitable Foundation, innovation sponsors Bentley Systems, Harmony Gold, KPMG, and Kasikornbank Public Company Limited, and the support of Sustainability Expo 2025 (SX2025). The 2025 World Cup has inspired bold action, sparked global collaboration, and reinforced the organization’s mission to shape a more sustainable future through youth-led entrepreneurial leadership.
Contact:
Jared Proudfoot, Director of Communications, Resolution Project and Enactus, jared@resolutionproject.org
