Cambodia Investment Review
The 12th Ecosystem Builder Network (EBN) meeting, held on 7th October 2025 at Khmer Enterprise, marked the next phase in operationalizing the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Roadmap (EER) 2025-2035. Building on the finalized roadmap and the introduction of Thematic Coordination Advisory Groups (TCGs) during EBN 11, this session focused on defining roles and responsibilities for TCG members, identifying potential organizations to take part, and introducing new coordination tools to support implementation.
Since its establishment in 2022, the EBN platform has served as a vital coordination mechanism, convening over 40 institutions from government, development partners, and ecosystem builders. Through quarterly meetings, it has enabled members to share insights, align activities, and strengthen collaboration in support of Cambodia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Roadmap (EER), a result of this collective process, consolidates insights across six domains—Support, Finance, Market, Policy, Human Capital, and Culture—and sets out 19 recommendations with short, medium, and long-term actions.
Establishing A Foundation For Collaborative Action
The 12th meeting built on the momentum from EBN 11 and the soft launch of the roadmap during Give a Day 31st in September 2025. Participants explored how to operationalize the roadmap by mobilizing Thematic Coordination Advisory Groups (TCGs), clarifying focal points, and establishing a foundation for collaborative action. The Ecosystem Builder Tracking Platform was also introduced as a potential tool to monitor progress, strengthen coordination across TCGs, and provide a shared knowledge space for ecosystem stakeholders.
Sessions highlighted the program mapping results from EBN 11, which aligned with the roadmap’s short-term recommendations. This mapping exercise showcased where members’ programs converge, identified overlaps, and pointed to opportunities for synergy across the six domains. The working session provided participants with an opportunity to share their ongoing programs of pain points or opportunities. Based on the information shared, participants were paired for one-on-one discussions to identify potential collaboration opportunities and fill out collaboration forms to explore further joint actions.
The session aimed to gather feedback on the value of establishing a tracking platform, its potential core functions, and the feasibility and appropriate level of data sharing among Development Partners (DPs), as it remains in the formative stage. At the same time, discussions raised critical questions about differentiation from existing solutions, whether the platform will be single-source or open-source, and how ownership and sustainability will be defined. While monetization or funding contributions are not planned, feedback highlighted the need to address concerns around grant competition, budget transparency, and integration with existing systems to ensure long-term value. The Tracking Platform was seen as a practical way to ensure accountability, monitor milestones, and reduce administrative burdens.
Importance Of Ensuring Clarity Coordination Mechanisms
Deliberations emphasized the importance of ensuring clarity coordination mechanisms of TCG. Organizations expressed interest in engaging across multiple domains, underscoring the need for flexible formats and regular consultations. In addition, roles of TCGs will be further refined, with members expected to co-develop agendas, facilitate action, and monitor progress, while members align their activities with the roadmap’s strategic direction.
The meeting concluded with agreement on next steps for roadmap implementation from 2026 onward. As the roadmap enters its operationalization phase, EBN aims to continue to provide a platform for coordination, shared ownership, and evidence-based action. The 12th meeting reaffirmed the network’s commitment to turning strategic recommendations into collective impact for Cambodia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Ecosystem Builder Network (EBN) is an initiative, in collaboration with Khmer Enterprise and Swisscontact, under the Collaboration pillar of the Enhancing Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Investments (3Ei), funded by Khmer Enterprise (KE), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
