Cambodia Investment Review
Canadia Group has officially launched the Canadia Impact Fund Co. (CIFC), a new investment arm aimed at empowering Cambodia’s next generation of entrepreneurs. The fund’s debut investment is in Jalat Logistics, a rapidly expanding local delivery and last-mile logistics company that serves thousands of merchants across the country.
“This is an important step to support local founders who are building real solutions for Cambodian consumers and businesses,” said Thierry Tea, Co-Founder and CEO of Canadia Impact Fund. “Jalat Logistics has demonstrated strong execution, customer reliability, and the ability to scale. Our role is to help them grow even further.”
First Investment Targets Fast-Growing Startup
Jalat Logistics, founded by three Cambodian entrepreneurs featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia, has rapidly become one of Cambodia’s leading logistics platforms. The startup has completed more than one million deliveries, maintains a 98% success rate, and serves over 6,500 merchants nationwide. The company has also processed over USD 20 million in cash-on-delivery transactions.
In 2024, Jalat attracted international attention after Satori Giants, a Singapore-based early-stage investor, announced its first investment in Cambodia by backing Jalat Logistics in partnership with X Venture Holdings (XVH) from Hong Kong. The deal completed the startup’s seed round, giving it a valuation of more than USD 1 million.
Read More: Satori Giants and X Venture Holdings Invest in Cambodian Startup Jalat Logistics
“We are committed to providing reliable, fast, and transparent delivery services for our customers and merchants,” said Sethey Sou, CEO of Jalat Logistics. “Being backed by Canadia Impact Fund strengthens our ability to improve our operations, technology, and customer experience as we continue to grow.”
Investing in Innovation and Sustainability
The creation of CIFC underscores Canadia Group’s ongoing commitment to Cambodia’s economic development and entrepreneurship since its founding by Lok Neak Okhna Pung Kheav Se in 1991. The group has long supported organizations such as the Young Entrepreneur Association of Cambodia (YEAC), Cambodian Women Entrepreneur Association (CWEA), and FASMEC, which promote SMEs and local business growth.
CIFC now builds on this legacy by focusing on innovation, sustainability, and impact-driven investments in sectors such as healthcare, education, technology, biotech, food, logistics, and sustainable tech. The fund’s leadership team combines regional experience and local insight, led by Thierry Tea, former CEO of Airbus Helicopters Philippines and founder of Negocia Capital in Singapore, which has invested in companies such as French cleantech aerospace firm Ascendance, US-based GroWrk, Cambodian edtech Dichi Academy, and several fintech startups.
Other key team members include Chhem Siriwat, co-founder of the AI Forum; Anandha Khaou, formerly with Prestige Consulting; and Jim Baldy, a co-founder of multiple advertising and mobility startups. The team aims to connect Cambodian entrepreneurs with regional and global technology partners.
Strengthening Cambodia’s Startup Ecosystem
Beyond investing capital, CIFC will collaborate with leading ecosystem players including Khmer Enterprise, Smart Axiata’s Startup Space, 2080 Ventures, Techo Startup Center, and Impact Hub to strengthen startup pathways and mentoring networks. It also plans to connect Cambodian founders to global tech leaders such as Google, Apple, Huawei, Alibaba, Grab, and Bolt, facilitating international exposure and partnerships.
“Our aim is to help foster more Cambodian founders, more Cambodian innovation, and more Cambodian success stories,” added Tea.
A Rising Startup Hub in the Region
Cambodia’s startup ecosystem continues to accelerate, supported by joint initiatives between the public and private sectors as well as international organizations. Programs such as Impact Hub’s accelerator initiatives, UNICEF’s Generation Future, and the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications’ Plug and Play program are cultivating entrepreneurship and innovation.
At the same time, Phnom Penh’s business landscape is evolving with new innovation hubs like Connexion, a startup campus inspired by France’s Station F, which gathers emerging companies in AI, fintech, blockchain, robotics, and edtech under one roof.
Amid this dynamic environment, Canadia Impact Fund aims to serve as a catalyst for the next wave of Cambodian innovation—bringing together homegrown talent, domestic capital, and international expertise to position the Kingdom as a regional startup hub.
