Young innovators pitch ideas

Young innovators pitch ideas

Seven dynamic startups run by young entrepreneurs pitched their innovative ventures to business leaders and investors from Cambodia and around the world, at the culmination of the Bluetribe initiative, a unique and intensive six-month startup incubation scheme.

Bluetribe helps young founders build investment ready ventures. Launched in May 2020, the initiative attracted more than 300 entrepreneurs who were ready and willing to make full-time commitments to their budding businesses and were on the hunt for investment. Bluetribe is run by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with support from the Russian Federation.

“Bluetribe has raised the bar for what I want to accomplish in the future for our business and has taught me critical skills for building a successful venture,” said Kong Hongleang, CEO and founder of HomeApp, an online community of professional builders, designers and skilled labourers.

Nick Beresford, UNDP Resident Representative in Cambodia, said that dynamic and innovative young entrepreneurs like these are a true inspiration and can help power Cambodia’s development for years to come.

“Bluetribe focuses on the sustainability and growth of innovative businesses, so they can create better employment opportunities for young people,” said Beresford.

The incubation programme, run at the Khmer Enterprise co-working space, brought in a number of seasoned business leaders and mentors to aid entrepreneurs’ efforts to develop viable products.

Founders are given a pre-seed grant to jumpstart their business and a basic living stipend. This programme is for entrepreneurs who are serious about building a business for the long-term and not just a side project that would end after six months. The programme included 30 workshops and 15 sessions conducted by international and local advisers. Khmer Times