Co-founders of 500 TukTuks shine
The Nation is this year naming not one, but two individuals as its “Businessman of the Year” – Natavudh “Moo” Pungcharoenpong and Ruangroj “Krating” Poonpoa, the co-managers of 500 TukTuks, the most active venture-capital fund investing in start-ups in Thailand. This is in recognition of their joint ability to create major change and have a positive impact on the economy, which is being disrupted by innovation. Natavudh and Ruangroj are new-generation businesspeople who disrupt traditional sectors with the new concept of doing business in the digital world. What they are doing helps drive the country forward in the digital age, in line with what is happening in other countries, and the “Thailand 4.0” strategy. They are playing a key role by helping create a new-economy army for the country. Founded just 16 months ago, 500 TukTuks has already invested US$4.5 million out of a total investment budget of $15.4 million in 30 Thai start-ups.
