EBN

The Ecosystem Builder Network (EBN) organizes quarterly meetings to foster collaboration and information exchange among development partners, government agencies, and ecosystem builders. These gatherings provide a platform for participants to learn about each other's programs, identify market gaps, and explore opportunities. Consequently, this facilitates the design of targeted programs and enhances collaboration between the system’s actors.

Background

EBN was piloted, in 2022, through the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Building Project (EEB), a joint venture of Khmer Enterprise, USAID’s WE Act Project through Pact Cambodia, and Swisscontact. EBN events under the EEB project catered to development partners, ecosystem builders, and government agencies to catalyze the efforts to bring about meaningful change to build entrepreneurial ecosystems. The aim was to create a space through which development partners, ecosystem builders, and government agencies could learn more about each other’s programs and identify market gaps and opportunities. This would enable development partners and ecosystem builders to design programs to fill in market gaps as well as enhance collaboration between the actors involved in supporting the building of the ecosystem.

Realizing the success of EBN events, it was incorporated into the 3Ei initiative to ensure the continued impact on the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Objectives of Ecosystem Builder Network

  • Connect and Learn: EBN is committed to providing a dynamic platform for the members to discover, understand, and appreciate each other's programs. By facilitating open dialogue and knowledge-sharing, EBN members are empowered to identify market gaps, explore untapped opportunities, and forge impactful collaborations.
  • Strengthening through Collaboration: Together with like-minded partners and organizations, EBN seeks to create a unified front dedicated to enriching the exchange of knowledge and fostering best practices. By engaging in joint activities, EBN fosters a culture of cooperation that amplifies the collective impact on the entrepreneurial landscape, making the overall system stronger.
  • Pioneering a Cohesive Approach: EBN envisions a future where Cambodia's entrepreneurial ecosystem functions seamlessly. To realize this, EBN will develop an entrepreneurial ecosystem roadmap that outlines clear strategies, action plans, and policies. The goal of EBN is to facilitate a more cohesive and effective approach to support budding entrepreneurs, innovators, and startups throughout their journey. The roadmap will be overseen by the technical working group (TWG).

Vision

The vision is to cultivate a thriving entrepreneurial landscape in Cambodia. By engaging development partners, government agencies, and ecosystem builders EBN aims to enable sustainable growth and prosperity. EBN aims to be the catalyst that empowers changemakers, startups, and organizations to connect, learn, and co-create, unlocking the full potential of Cambodia's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Ecosystem Builder Network in the making

2022
EBN kicks off to successfully mobilize leading development partners and government agencies
The Ecosystem Builder Network (EBN) kick-off event was held on March 10, 2022. The event was attended by leading development partners and government agencies, including UNDP, UNIDO, USAID, GIZ, ILO, Oxfam, Cambodia Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture (CPSA), Techno Startup Center, Secretariat Office of Entrepreneurship Development Fund, iDE, Pact, Khmer Enterprises, and Swisscontact. In 2022, the EBN meetings also successfully deep-dived to map out concrete programs/activities of the “Support and Finance” pillars (among the 6 pillars of the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem) and discussed and identified specific areas of synergy and collaboration opportunities among EBN members. In 2022, EBN saw a cumulative participation of 72 participants representing 37 organizations from the Government, Development partners and Ecosystem Builders.
2023
EBN incorporated into the 3Ei Initiative 
The EBN event under the 3Ei initiative was built on the progress of EBN under the EEB project. In 2023, EBN membership expanded to 33 members and is primarily focused on three objectives including the development of the 5- year Cambodia Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Roadmap, establishing a National Advisory Board in Cambodia, and lastly, forming a Technical Working Group to oversee the development of the 5- year Cambodia Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Roadmap.

Events and Articles

Cambodia
Entrepreneurial ecosystems
02.04.2024
EBN 7: Commitment to Shaping Cambodia's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
The 7th Ecosystem Builder Network (EBN) event was successfully organized on March 29th, 2024, highlighting EBN's commitment to fostering collaboration and strategic planning to positively shape Cambodia's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Cambodia
Entrepreneurial ecosystems
19.12.2023
EBN 6: Charting Cambodia's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Roadmap with Key Supporting Functions in Focus
In a continued effort to transform Cambodia's entrepreneurial landscape, the Entrepreneurship Builder Networking (EBN) convened its 6th meeting on November 1, 2023, marking the third and final gathering for the year.
Cambodia
Entrepreneurial ecosystems
09.08.2023
EBN 5: Exploration of Roadmap Development Strategy and the Formation of a Technical Working Group (TWG)
The Ecosystem Builder Network (EBN) convened its 5th meeting at the Khmer Enterprise Office on July 26, 2023. The meeting was attended by 23 participants representing government agencies, development partners, and other stakeholders. 
Cambodia
Entrepreneurial ecosystems
05.07.2023
EBN 4: Explore Exciting Opportunities with the Cambodian Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
On 28th April 2023, the 4th meeting of the Ecosystem Builder Network (EBN) and the first one of 2023 was held in Phnom Penh and was attended by 30 members of the EBN representing development partners, ecosystem builders, and government agencies. The EBN was launched in 2022 under the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Building (EEB) initiative of Khmer Enterprises, USAID’s WE Act through Pact Cambodia, and Swisscontact. EBN now is a part of the Enhancing Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Investments initiative jointly implemented by Khmer Enterprise and Swisscontact.
Cambodia
Entrepreneurial ecosystems
21.09.2022
EBN 3: Mapping Four of Six Pillars of Isenberg’s Model of Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
On 14 September, 42 participants from 22 members organizations from government agencies, development partners and ecosystem builders among others, came together to attend the “Ecosystem Builders Network (EBN)” quarterly meeting.
Cambodia
Entrepreneurial ecosystems
14.06.2022
EBN 2: Programs/Activities of the “Support and Finance” among the 6 pillars of the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
This morning on June 14, 37 participants from 20 member organizations from government agencies, development partners and ecosystem builders among others, came together to attend the “Ecosystem Builders Network (EBN)” quarterly meeting. 
Cambodia
Entrepreneurial ecosystems
05.04.2022
EBN 1: Ecosystem Builders Network Kicks off
The Ecosystem Builders Network (EBN) kick-off event was held on March 10, 2022. The event was attended by leading development partners and government agencies, including UNDP, UNIDO, USAID, GIZ, ILO, Oxfam, Cambodia Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture (CPSA), Techno Startup Center, Secretariat Office of Entrepreneurship Development Fund, iDE, Pact, Khmer Enterprises and Swisscontact.