Cambodia Investment Review
Six startup teams led by Cambodian students and young entrepreneurs have been recognized at the ACTSmart Incubation Program’s Final Pitch event, marking the conclusion of a 12-week program aimed at strengthening the Kingdom’s innovation ecosystem and supporting early-stage business development.
The event, held on March 29 at the AUPP Technology Center, brought together 17 teams that progressed through an incubation journey focused on developing scalable business ideas, refining products, and building go-to-market strategies. The program is co-initiated by Smart Axiata, the AUPP Technology Center (ATC), and the Cambodia Academy of Digital Technology (CADT), with support from the Capacity Building Research and Development Fund under the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications.
Incubation program builds pipeline for digital entrepreneurs
Organizers positioned ACTSmart as a platform designed to bridge the gap between early-stage ideas and commercially viable ventures, aligning with Cambodia’s broader ambitions to expand its digital economy.
Participants moved through stages from ideation to validation, presenting business models supported by customer insights and technical development to a panel of judges drawn from government, private sector, and investment communities.
Representatives from Smart Axiata and ATC emphasized that initiatives such as ACTSmart are intended to cultivate a new generation of founders capable of contributing to Cambodia’s long-term economic transformation. The program also reflects increasing collaboration between the public and private sectors in developing local digital talent and fostering innovation-led growth.
Six winning startups span agriculture, healthcare and education
The program recognized six standout teams across two categories: student startups at the prototype stage and more advanced startups at the minimum viable product (MVP) stage.
In the student category, Tokkatot secured first place with a smart farming solution designed to reduce chicken mortality through automated care systems and sensor-based monitoring. ByteLab followed with a robotics education platform offering plug-and-play kits to support hands-on learning in schools, while TosTrip placed third with a travel platform focused on connecting visitors to authentic local experiences, including offline functionality and safety features.
In the MVP category, Local Dry took first place with a food processing solution aimed at transforming local agricultural products into premium goods, with a focus on safety standards and fair trade practices. QlinicOS placed second, offering an AI-powered platform to streamline hospital and clinic operations, including medical documentation and patient triage. Hikaru Lab secured third place with a café solutions business combining premium ingredients, equipment, and digital systems to support scalable operations across Cambodia.
Winning teams received cash prizes of $8,000, $6,000, and $4,000 for first, second, and third place respectively. In addition, one representative from each team will participate in a regional technology trip to Singapore, providing exposure to international innovation ecosystems.
Continued support aimed at scaling impact
Beyond financial awards, organizers confirmed that all winning teams will receive post-incubation support through Smart Startup Space and ATC. This support will focus on areas such as product-market fit, customer acquisition, digitalization, and long-term sustainability.
The approach reflects a broader shift in Cambodia’s startup ecosystem toward structured support mechanisms that extend beyond initial funding, with increasing emphasis on mentorship, technical development, and access to regional networks.
The ACTSmart program also highlights growing interest in sectors such as agri-tech, health-tech, and education technology, which are seen as key areas for innovation in Cambodia’s evolving economy.
As Cambodia continues to advance its digital transformation agenda, initiatives like ACTSmart are expected to play a role in developing local entrepreneurial capacity and supporting the creation of scalable businesses capable of contributing to economic diversification and job creation.
Organizers noted that by identifying and supporting early-stage founders, the program aims to convert innovation into tangible business outcomes, reinforcing Cambodia’s position as an emerging hub for digital entrepreneurship in the region.
