Cambodia Investment Review
FirstWave, a founder-led initiative supporting post-acceleration startups, officially launched its new community event series, Basecamp Meetup, on Koh Pich last night, drawing over 80 entrepreneurs, investors, and startup community members to its debut gathering at Pi Coffee, Connexion.
Unlike traditional startup events centered around investor pitches and polished presentations, Basecamp Meetup took a refreshingly different approach. Themed “A Founder-Led Community, Ready to Share and Guide,” the event featured short lightning talks titled “What I Wish I Knew…”, a live community poll addressing shared startup challenges, and an open mic segment designed to foster real dialogue among founders.
“We’re tired of startup events that feel more like performances,” a FirstWave organizer said. “Last night proved there’s strong demand for something more honest, supportive, and founder-focused in Cambodia’s ecosystem.”
A New Kind of Founder Forum
Led by serial entrepreneur Vireak Chea, the initiative aims to reframe what startup support looks like in a Cambodian context. Chea, who serves as “Captain” of FirstWave, described the evening not just as a milestone for the organization but a collective win for Cambodia’s emerging tech and innovation landscape.
“Tonight wasn’t just a celebration of FirstWave — it was a celebration of Cambodia’s founders, investors, and ecosystem coming together to build something bigger,” he said. “This is just the beginning of what we can do when we support each other. And yes — there’s something exciting in the AIr… stay tuned.”
While most startup events focus on traction metrics or pitching to VCs, Basecamp Meetup offered a relaxed setting for startup operators to share candid reflections. Attendees ranged from early-stage founders still validating MVPs, to experienced entrepreneurs managing growing teams.
Finger food, informal seating, and a no-slides-allowed policy encouraged spontaneous conversations, with many participants praising the authenticity of the event.
Building Cambodia’s Post-Acceleration Community
Founded with the goal of bridging the gap for startups graduating from accelerator programs, FirstWave is positioning itself as a peer-led support platform for Cambodia’s next wave of scalable ventures. Its programming emphasizes knowledge sharing, practical problem-solving, and founder-to-founder mentorship.
The Basecamp Meetup concept is expected to become a regular fixture in Cambodia’s startup calendar, offering an alternative for founders looking to connect in a less transactional, more human way.
To stay updated on future Basecamp events, FirstWave can be followed on:
As Cambodia’s startup ecosystem matures, initiatives like FirstWave may play an increasingly important role in fostering a sustainable, founder-friendly environment rooted in collaboration over competition.
