The Winner of the Smartstart ULP Hackathon Embarked on a Regional Exposure Trip to Discover Indonesia’s [CS1] Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

Cambodia Investment Review

The winners of the 2024 SmartStart Unipreneur Learning Platform (ULP) Hackathon, Team Jurnivers from CamTech University, embarked on an exciting regional exposure trip to Jakarta from December 9 to 12, 2024.

Organized by Smart Axiata and Impact Hub Phnom Penh, this highly anticipated trip is designed to immerse the team in Jakarta’s vibrant entrepreneurial and technological ecosystem, offering invaluable insights to enhance their innovative project.

“By organizing the study trip, we hope the team will gain new inspiration to expand their project and bring transformative solutions to life,” said Ziad Shatara, CEO of Smart Axiata. “In the years ahead, Smart Axiata’s hope to continue nurturing young leaders so that they can contribute back to Cambodia’s economic and social growth, fueled by innovation and entrepreneurship.”

About the Hackathon and Jurnivers’ Journey

The SmartStart ULP National Hackathon held in September 2024 showcased the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of university students from across Cambodia. Jurnivers, who scored the “Overall Excellence” award, impressed judges with their innovative project with vision to use technology to enhance the tourism ecosystem of Cambodia by exploring how their tourism hub can attract tourists to stay longer as they travel within Cambodia. Their win earned them this regional exposure trip, designed to spark fresh ideas and refine their initiative.

Ms. Kim Kosoma, Chief Operating Officer of IHPP, shared her enthusiasm: “I am thrilled that the students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in Indonesia’s entrepreneurial landscape while also experiencing the rich culture of our region. It’s inspiring to see them forging new connections and drawing fresh inspiration from every business they visited.”

Packed Itinerary for Inspiration

The four-day trip promises a blend of professional engagement and cultural enrichment. Highlights include:

Day 1: Navigating the city of Jakarta to immerse themselves to a new cultural experience and a welcome dinner hosted by Impact Hub Jakarta to set the tone for the trip.
Day 2: Visits to Impact Hub Jakarta to gain an insightful understanding of the overall startup and tech ecosystem in the country, fostering connections with local changemakers, including a visit to Asuransi Kitabisa, offering insights into creative community-driven social insurance solutions. The day concludes with a session at Xendit, one of the leading fintech company revolutionizing payment systems in Southeast Asia.
Day 3: Meetings with tech giant like Alibaba Cloud and a logistic start up utilizing EV like Blitz, provided them with a global perspective on innovation. The day’s finale includes a workshop hosted by XL Axiata, delving into technology, IoT solutions, and operations in telecommunications.
Day 4: Reflection of their whole immersion experience in Jakarta before coming back to Cambodia.

Each activity is crafted to expose Jurnivers to new perspectives and cutting-edge practices that could shape their project’s future trajectory.

Sok SreyLaksmy, a student from CamTech University, shared her gratitude for the chance to connect with entrepreneurs in Jakarta: “From the moment I arrived in Indonesia, I noticed so many differences—but also surprising similarities. This experience taught me so much, and some of the people I met truly shifted my perspective in a positive way,” she said.

Advancing Entrepreneurship through SmartStart ULP

Since its inception in 2019, the SmartStart ULP has empowered over 2,900 students from 16 universities, blending academic learning with practical entrepreneurial training. The platform’s flagship Hackathon serves as a launchpad for exceptional ideas, with Jurnivers’ win standing out as a testament to the program’s success.

This Jakarta visit underscores Smart Axiata’s and Impact Hub Phnom Penh’s common mission to advance digital societies and foster innovation. By connecting young entrepreneurs with regional leaders, SmartStart ULP is creating a ripple effect of growth and inspiration, ensuring Cambodia’s brightest talents are equipped to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.