Cambodia Investment Review
The Launching Ceremony of the Entrepreneurship Mentor Development Program was held today at the American University of Phnom Penh Technology Centre (ATC), marking the official start of the Entrepreneurship Mentor Development Program supported by the Ministry of Post and telecomumication and .Telecommunication (MPTC) and The Capacity Building Research and Development (CBRD) Fund. The program is implemented by ATC in partnership with the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) and Swisscontact Cambodia under the Enhancing Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Investments (3Ei) initiative, funded by Khmer Enterprise, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) .
Mentorship plays a critical role in strengthening entrepreneurship, business growth, and innovation ecosystems. Effective mentors provide not only technical guidance but also strategic direction and practical insights that support entrepreneurs in navigating early-stage challenges. In Cambodia, however, mentoring quality varies significantly due to the absence of standardized competency requirements and quality assurance mechanisms.
Strengthen The Quality and Effectiveness Of Mentors
To respond to this gap, the Entrepreneurship Mentor Development Program aims to strengthen the quality and effectiveness of mentors by enhancing their capacity to deliver structured, practical, and relevant support to early-stage entrepreneurs. The program is designed to build mentor capability and consistency through a combination of targeted training, practical mentoring engagement, and guided networking, while introducing a national mentor certification to formally recognize qualified mentors and establishing national mentor pool . Through this approach, the initiative seeks to develop a recognized pool of qualified and professional mentors capable of supporting startups and MSMEs across Cambodia, contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem and fostering continued engagement through an alumni network.
The ceremony featured opening remarks from H.E. Chea Vandeth, Minister of Post and Telecommunication, who highlighted the importance of collaboration in strengthening Cambodia’s entrepreneurship and innovation landscape, as well as welcome remarks from Ms. Etsuko Ito, Program Officer, Social Innovation Program, Sasakawa Peace Foundation, and Mr. Jan Lambrechts, Director of AUPP Technology Centre.
Announcement Of Open Applications For Mentors
The launch event brought together mentors, entrepreneurs, entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs), development partners, and government representatives to introduce the program’s objectives, approach, and expected outcomes, while fostering early engagement and shared understanding among key stakeholders. Participants were also introduced to the structure and focus of the Entrepreneurship Mentor Support Program, including the announcement of open applications for mentors interested in participating. The program seeks to engage mentors who are committed to supporting entrepreneurs through practical guidance and experience-based learning.
The event concluded with a networking session, providing an opportunity for mentors, entrepreneurs, and partners to connect, exchange perspectives, and explore opportunities for collaboration. The launch of the Entrepreneurship Mentor Development Program represents an important step in strengthening mentorship support within Cambodia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
